Setback Requirements for the HI Heavy Industrial District in Mesa, Arizona
In the City of Mesa HI: Heavy Industrial district, front setbacks vary from 15 to 30 feet depending on the classification of the adjacent street. While the HI: Heavy Industrial district requires no interior side or rear setbacks when adjacent to other industrial zones, building projects adjacent to residential or commercial districts must provide a minimum 20-foot setback that increases based on the total height of the structure [Table 11-7-3].
Overview of the HI: Heavy Industrial District
The HI: Heavy Industrial district in the City of Mesa is intended for areas set aside principally for manufacturing, assembly, wholesaling, and storage activities. This district allows for the operation of industrial processes that may have moderate impacts on the surrounding area, including activities that take place indoors or outdoors. Because of the nature of the production processes in the HI: Heavy Industrial district, specific setbacks are established to provide appropriate buffers between industrial activities and less intensive land uses [Section 11-7-1(B)(4)].
Front and Street-Facing Setback Requirements
In the HI: Heavy Industrial district, the required minimum setback for the front and street-facing side of a property is determined by the classification of the adjacent street as identified in the Mesa Transportation Plan. These setbacks ensure a consistent streetscape and provide necessary clearance for public infrastructure [Section 11-7-3].
| Street Classification | Minimum Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
| Arterial Street | 15 feet |
| Major or Midsection Collector | 20 feet |
| Industrial/Commercial Collector | 20 feet |
| Local Street | 20 feet |
| Freeways (Buildings) | 30 feet |
| Freeways (Parking Structures) | 15 feet |
Setbacks in the HI: Heavy Industrial district must be landscaped in accordance with City of Mesa standards [Section 11-33-3(A)].
Interior Side and Rear Setback Requirements
The interior side and rear setback requirements in the City of Mesa HI: Heavy Industrial district are highly dependent on the zoning of the adjacent parcel. The City of Mesa allows for maximum efficiency in industrial areas by permitting buildings to be placed up to the property line when they border other industrial districts [Table 11-7-3].
| Adjacency (Zoning of Neighboring Property) | Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setback |
|---|---|
| Adjacent to AG, RS, RSL, or RM Districts (Agricultural/Residential) | 1 foot of setback for each 1 foot of building height (Minimum 20 feet) |
| Adjacent to Commercial and PEP Districts | 1 foot of setback for each 1 foot of building height (Minimum 20 feet) |
| Adjacent to LI, GI, or HI Districts (Industrial) | 0 feet (None) |
When the HI: Heavy Industrial district property is adjacent to agricultural or residential districts, the City of Mesa requires that setbacks be landscaped to provide a visual buffer. At least 20 feet of the depth of such setbacks must remain free from parking and driveways [Table 11-7-3].
Building Separation and Projections
Within a single lot in the HI: Heavy Industrial district, the City of Mesa does not require a minimum separation distance between buildings [Table 11-7-3].
Regarding building projections, certain architectural features may extend into the required setbacks of the HI: Heavy Industrial district. In the City of Mesa, 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 a property line [Section 11-30-2].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-7-1: Purpose and Intent
- Section 11-7-3: Development Standards
- Table 11-7-3: Development Standards - Employment Districts
- Section 11-30-2: Building Projections into Setbacks
- Section 11-33-3: Perimeter Landscaping