Setback Requirements for the GC: General Commercial District in Mesa
In the GC: General Commercial district within the City of Mesa, front and street-facing setbacks are determined by the classification of the adjacent roadway, ranging from 15 feet for arterials to 30 feet for buildings adjacent to freeways. Interior side and rear setbacks are highly variable based on the adjacent land use, requiring a minimum of 15 feet when next to non-residential zones and up to 75 feet for buildings three stories or taller when abutting a Single Residence (RS) district. All required setback areas must be landscaped in accordance with the City of Mesa’s landscaping standards to provide appropriate buffering [Table 11-6-3.A].
Front and Street-Facing Setbacks
The City of Mesa regulates front and street-facing side setbacks in the GC: General Commercial district based on the specific classification of the street as identified in the Mesa Transportation Plan. These setbacks must be landscaped according to the standards found in Chapter 33 of the City Code [Table 11-6-3.A].
| Street Classification | Minimum Setback (Feet) |
|---|---|
| 6-Lane Arterial | 15 ft. |
| 4-Lane Arterial | 15 ft. |
| Major or Midsection Collector | 15 ft. |
| Industrial or Commercial Collector | 20 ft. |
| Local Street | 20 ft. |
| Freeway (Buildings) | 30 ft. |
| Freeway (Parking Structures) | 15 ft. |
Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
The interior side and rear setback requirements for the GC: General Commercial district depend entirely on the zoning of the adjacent property. The City of Mesa requires significantly larger buffers when commercial developments are located next to residential districts [Table 11-6-3.A].
Adjacency to Residential Districts (RS and RM)
When the GC: General Commercial district is adjacent to a Single Residence (RS) district, the setback increases with the height of the building. When adjacent to a Multiple Residence (RM) district, the setback is determined by the number of stories.
| Adjacent District and Building Height | Minimum Setback (Feet) |
|---|---|
| Adjacent to RS District: 1-Story Building | 25 ft. |
| Adjacent to RS District: 2-Story Building | 50 ft. |
| Adjacent to RS District: 3-Story Building | 75 ft. |
| Adjacent to RM District: 1st Story | 20 ft. |
| Adjacent to RM District: Each Additional Story | +15 ft. per story |
Adjacency to Non-Residential Districts
For properties in the GC: General Commercial district that are adjacent to other non-residential districts, the City of Mesa requires a standard setback based on the building's height.
- Minimum Setback: 15 feet for each story [Table 11-6-3.A].
Setbacks at Street Intersections
The City of Mesa also defines specific "minimum radius" setbacks for buildings and patios located at street intersections within the GC: General Commercial district [Table 11-6-3.A].
| Intersection Type | Minimum Radius Setback |
|---|---|
| Arterial with Arterial | 25 ft. |
| Arterial with Major or Midsection Collector | 25 ft. |
| Arterial with Collector, Commercial, or Industrial | 25 ft. |
| Major or Midsection Collector with same | 15 ft. |
| Collector, Industrial, or Commercial with same | 15 ft. |
Additional Requirements and Encroachments
Building projections in the GC: General Commercial district may extend into required yards under specific conditions. For example, awnings, eaves, and basement window wells may encroach up to 3 feet into a required yard, provided they do not come closer than 2 feet to an interior lot line [Section 11-30-2].
Furthermore, all setback areas in the GC: General Commercial district must be maintained free from encroachments by structures, vehicles, or other features not part of the approved landscaping design, unless specifically authorized [Section 11-33-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-3-1: Districts Established
- Section 11-6-1: Purpose (Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts)
- Table 11-6-3.A: Development Standards - Commercial Districts
- Section 11-30-2: Building Projections into Setbacks
- Section 11-33-2: General Requirements (Landscaping)