Mesa Zoning Map & Districts 2026
Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Mesa, AZ. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Zoning Districts in Mesa
Common zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction. Exact district names and codes may vary.
Protects and preserves agricultural lands and related activities, guards against incompatible uses and urban encroachment, and can limit premature development until suitable infrastructure and plans are in place.
Detached single-residence housing at densities up to 7 units per net acre. Designators (-90, -43, -35, -15, -9, -7, -6) denote the minimum lot size in thousands of square feet.
Small-lot single-dwelling development at densities up to 17 units per net acre. Designators (-4.5, -4.0, -3.0, -2.5) denote the minimum average lot size in thousands of square feet.
A variety of housing types at densities up to 43 units per gross acre. Designators (-2, -3, -4, -5) denote variations in maximum allowed development intensity; includes small-lot single residences, townhouses, cluster and multiple-residence housing.
Locally oriented retail and service uses serving the surrounding residential trade area within a one-half to two-mile radius; large commercial buildings are not appropriate.
Indoor retail, entertainment, and service-oriented businesses serving a residential trade area within a one to ten-mile radius, including anchored shopping centers, regional malls, and power centers.
Indoor retail, limited outdoor display, and service-oriented businesses serving a four to five-mile trade area; also accommodates low-intensity employment uses such as light assembly, custom manufacturing, mini-storage, and research and development.
Small-scale medical and professional offices intended to serve the community while remaining compatible with adjacent residential areas.
A mix of employment centers, retail and service commercial uses, medical and professional offices, and residential uses at densities of 15 to 25 units per acre (higher densities may be appropriate in select locations).
Professional and medical office parks, research and development facilities, and light manufacturing in a campus setting with ancillary restaurants, retail, and supportive establishments.
Limited manufacturing and processing, wholesaling, research, warehousing, and distribution within enclosed buildings with restricted accessory outdoor storage; can buffer General Industrial uses and permits a range of commercial activities.
Manufacturing, processing, assembly, research, wholesale, and storage that require separation from residential uses due to noise, vibration, or hazardous materials; principally indoors and also permits a full range of commercial activities.
Manufacturing, assembly, wholesaling, distribution, and storage that may adversely affect surrounding uses due to production aftereffects, with limited moderately scaled commercial activities; may occur indoors or outdoors.
Protect and enhance stable residential neighborhoods within the Downtown Area and encourage redevelopment for residential use; numeric designators -1, -2, and -3 represent different development intensities.
General retailing, services, and medium-density residential uses, allowing multiple residences, professional offices, and commercial uses as a major component of the Downtown Area.
A combination of intensive commercial, light manufacturing, and related uses suited to locations with arterial street or railway access.
Encourages the highest intensity of land uses in the Downtown and provides incentives for development or redevelopment of under-utilized properties to create a vibrant activity area.
Accommodates large-scale governmental, public utility, recreational, and educational facilities while ensuring high-quality development and compatibility with surrounding uses.
Provides for large, unified, master-planned communities governed by an adopted community plan and development unit plans, with land use and development regulations tailored to the community.
Promote development and redevelopment of by-passed, underutilized, or abandoned properties through incentives and Infill Incentive Plans. ID-1 applies to small sites under 5 acres; ID-2 applies to sites of 2.5 acres or more needing comprehensive modifications.
Facilitates large-scale, unified and planned employment developments aligned with adopted City plans, with flexibility and incentives for high-quality, sustainable projects that attract significant employment.
Allows public and private parks as a specific base zoning district, providing for a variety of recreation-related facilities and uses for residents and visitors.
Recent Rezoning Activity in Mesa
Explore Zoning Topics in Mesa
Frequently Asked Questions
The official Mesa zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://gis.mesaaz.gov/planning_zoning/. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.
Common zoning districts in Mesa include residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), commercial (C-1, C-2), industrial (I-1, I-2), mixed-use (MU), and planned development (PD). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Mesa to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
Zoning in the City of Mesa is governed by the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, which is Title 11 of the Mesa City Code (Code of Ordinances). Title 11 covers introductory provisions, overlay zones, development regulations, the sign ordinance, form-based code, administration, and land use classifications and definitions. The code is administered by the city's Development Services / Planning department, and the full text is published in the Municode Library.
Rezoning requests are heard by the Planning and Zoning Board, a seven-member board of city residents that conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on changes in zoning and on required site plans; the City Council makes the final decision. Certain minor requests instead go before a Planning Hearing Officer, who handles minor rezoning requests, minor changes to site plans, and preliminary plat requests that comply with the adopted Planning Hearing Officer guidelines.
Variances are decided by Mesa's Board of Adjustment, which is appointed by the Mayor and City Council and holds public hearings on a monthly basis. The Board hears and decides Variances, Special Use Permits, Development Incentive Permits, Substantial Conformance Improvement Permits, and Appeals. A property owner may apply for a variance to seek relief from the zoning regulations when a hardship exists. An appeal of a Board of Adjustment decision must be made to Superior Court in accordance with A.R.S. section 9-462.06.K.
Mesa's Zoning Ordinance (Title 11) establishes a range of zoning districts, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, and industrial districts, along with overlay zones and a form-based code. Each district is a specifically delineated geographic area within which regulations uniformly govern the use of land. The specific district classifications and their standards are set out in the land use classifications and development regulations articles of Title 11, and district boundaries can be viewed through the City of Mesa's GIS and Data Hub zoning resources.
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