Setback Requirements for the LC: Limited Commercial District in Mesa

In the City of Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district, front and street-facing setbacks generally range from 15 to 30 feet depending on the classification of the adjacent roadway. Interior side and rear setbacks are determined by the adjacency of the neighboring property, requiring up to 75 feet when the Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) site is adjacent to a single-residence (RS) district.

Street-Facing Setback Requirements

For development within the Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district, the minimum setback for buildings and structures along property lines that face a street depends on the classification identified in the Mesa Transportation Plan. All street-facing setbacks in the City of Mesa must be landscaped in accordance with the standards set forth in Chapter 33 [Table 11-6-3.A].

Street Classification	Minimum Setback Requirement (Mesa LC District)
6-Lane Arterial	15 feet
4-Lane Arterial	15 feet
Major or Midsection Collector	15 feet
Industrial or Commercial Collector	20 feet
Local Street	20 feet
Freeway (Buildings)	30 feet
Freeway (Parking Structures)	15 feet

Interior Side and Rear Setback Requirements

The interior side and rear setbacks for the Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district vary based on the zoning of the abutting property. These requirements ensure appropriate buffering between commercial activities and residential environments in the City of Mesa [Table 11-6-3.A].

Adjacency Condition	1-Story Building	2-Story Building	3-Story or Taller
Adjacent to RS District	25 feet	50 feet	75 feet
Adjacent to RM District	20 feet	35 feet*	50 feet*
Adjacent to Non-Residential	15 feet	30 feet*	45 feet*

*Note: For RM and Non-Residential adjacencies, the Mesa Zoning Ordinance calculates the setback as 20 feet (for RM) or 15 feet (for Non-Res) for the first story, plus an additional 15 feet for each additional story.

Variations for Character Designators (-U and -A)

Mesa utilizes Community Character Designators to modify the standard Limited Commercial (LC) regulations for specific contexts. The "Urban" (-U) designator prioritizes a close relationship between pedestrians and shops, while the "Auto-Oriented" (-A) designator is intended for larger developments with parking typically located in front [Section 11-3-1(C)].

Urban Character Designator (LC-U)

In the Mesa LC-U district, the requirements are shifted to encourage a "street wall" and walkable environment [Table 11-6-3.B]:

Front and Street-Facing Side Setback: 0 feet minimum; however, buildings must be located no farther than 10 feet from the street-facing property line (the Maximum Yard).
Interior Side and Rear (Adjacent to RS): Reduced to 15 feet for 1-story, 25 feet for 2-story, and 35 feet for 3-story buildings.

Auto-Oriented Character Designator (LC-A)

In the Mesa LC-A district, setbacks generally follow the standard LC requirements, but provide specific standards for large commercial developments where parking is located between the building and the street [Table 11-6-3.B].

Additional Setback Provisions in Mesa

Landscaping: Setbacks in the Mesa Limited Commercial (LC) district must be landscaped according to Chapter 33. When adjacent to an RS district, at least 20 feet of the depth of the required setback must be landscaped and remain free from parking or driveways [Section 11-6-3.A].
Corner Intersections: Minimum radii for setbacks at street intersections range from 15 to 25 feet depending on the street type [Table 11-6-3.A].
Projections: Certain architectural features, such as awnings or eaves, may encroach up to 3 feet into a required yard, provided they are not closer than 2 feet to an interior lot line [Section 11-30-2].

Sections Cited

Section 11-3-1: Districts Established
Section 11-6-3: Development Standards
Table 11-6-3.A: Development Standards - Commercial Districts
Table 11-6-3.B: Development Standards - Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts - with Character Designators
Section 11-30-2: Building Projections into Setbacks