Setback Requirements for the OC: Office Commercial District in Mesa
In the City of Mesa, the OC: Office Commercial district requires front and street-facing side setbacks that range from 15 to 30 feet based on the specific classification of the adjacent street. Interior side and rear setbacks in the OC: Office Commercial district are determined by building height and the zoning of the neighboring parcel, ranging from 15 feet when adjacent to non-residential districts to as much as 75 feet for three-story buildings adjacent to single-residence districts.
Standard Setback Requirements for OC: Office Commercial
The standard development regulations for the OC: Office Commercial district in Mesa (specifically designated as OC (O-S)) establish setbacks intended to provide a transition between commercial uses and surrounding residential neighborhoods. All required setbacks must be landscaped in accordance with Mesa’s landscaping standards [Section 11-6-3.A].
Front and Street-Facing Side Setbacks
The minimum distance a building or parking area must be set back from a street depends on that street's classification in the Mesa Transportation Plan.
| Street Classification | Minimum Setback |
|---|---|
| 6-Lane Arterial | 15 feet |
| 4-Lane Arterial | 15 feet |
| Major/Midsection Collector | 15 feet |
| Industrial/Commercial Collector | 20 feet |
| Local Street | 20 feet |
| Freeways | 30 feet for buildings; 15 feet for parking structures |
Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
Mesa requires varying setbacks for the interior side and rear property lines of OC: Office Commercial parcels based on the sensitivity of the adjacent land use and the height of the proposed building.
| Adjacent District Type | 1-Story Building | 2-Story Building | 3-Story Building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjacent to RS (Single Residence) | 25 feet | 50 feet | 75 feet |
| Adjacent to RM (Multiple Residence) | 20 feet | 35 feet* | 50 feet* |
| Adjacent to Non-Residential District | 15 feet | 30 feet** | 45 feet** |
*Calculated as 20 feet for the first story plus 15 feet for each additional story. **Calculated as 15 feet for each story.
Setbacks for OC: Office Commercial with Character Designators
Mesa utilizes "Community Character Designators" to tailor the OC: Office Commercial district to specific environments. These designators—Urban (-U) and Auto-Oriented (-A)—modify the standard setback requirements [Section 11-6-3.B].
Urban Character Designator (OC-U)
The Urban designation is intended for areas where buildings are built closer to the street to provide a stronger relationship between pedestrians and shops [Section 11-3-1.C].
| Location/Condition | OC-U Minimum Setback |
|---|---|
| Front and Street-Facing Side | 5 feet |
| Adjacent to RS (1-story / 2-story / 3-story) | 15 feet / 25 feet / 35 feet |
| Adjacent to RM (1st story / Each addl. story) | 15 feet / 10 feet |
| Adjacent to Non-Residential (Each story) | 15 feet |
Auto-Oriented Character Designator (OC-A)
The Auto-Oriented designation is used for areas that provide easy automobile access, typically featuring large buildings with parking lots in front [Section 11-3-1.C].
| Location/Condition | OC-A Minimum Setback |
|---|---|
| Front and Street-Facing Side | Varies by street classification (See Standard table) |
| Adjacent to RS (1-story / 2-story / 3-story) | 25 feet / 50 feet / 75 feet |
| Adjacent to RM (1st story / Each addl. story) | 20 feet / 15 feet |
| Adjacent to Non-Residential (Each story) | 15 feet |
Additional Regulations and Exceptions
- Landscaping: All setbacks in the OC: Office Commercial district must be landscaped according to the standards found in Chapter 33 of the Mesa code [Section 11-6-3.A].
- Projections: Certain architectural features, such as awnings, eaves, and chimneys, may project up to 3 feet into required yards, provided they do not come closer than 2 feet to an interior lot line [Section 11-30-2].
- Separation Between Buildings: If multiple buildings are located on the same lot in the OC: Office Commercial district, they must maintain a minimum separation of 25 feet for buildings up to 20 feet in height, increasing to 35 feet for buildings over 40 feet in height [Section 11-6-3.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-3-1: Districts Established
- Section 11-6-3.A: Development Standards - Commercial Districts
- Section 11-6-3.B: Development Standards - Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts - with Character Designators
- Section 11-30-2: Building Projections into Setbacks
- Section 11-33-3: Perimeter Landscaping