For specific information, contact the Planning Division at 480-644-2385

Placement of a detached non-residence accessory structure, i.e. a shed or garage, on a lot within an RS, RM or AG zoned lot with a single residence (one unit on the lot) are generally allowed. There are certain parameters that have to be met in regard to placement, height and size. Lots located in specialty areas such as a historical districts or in the Desert Uplands area may have more stringent parameters.

Step one:

Locate the current zoning district on the interactive site map. In the upper right hand corner click on the binoculars and type in your address and press enter. The aerial map will bring up the house location. You have two options to gain the zoning district information:

1. Click on the layer visibility button in the upper right tool bar and it will slowly begin to fill in with color and provide the zoning district information.
   
   
2. Click on the parcel detail tool and click on the lot or house. Then click the show details icon. This will bring up information including the zoning district.

Step two:

Now that you have identified the zoning district, the required setbacks can be obtained using the appropriate chapters of the Zoning Ordinance. i.e. chapter 5 for all residential districts. The Development Standards Table within the appropriate chapter will provide required setbacks and maximum building coverage. All setbacks are measured from property lines to the structure.

Step three:

Depending on the height, size and placement of the proposed detached structure, there are exceptions to the required side and rear setbacks. Chapter 30 section 11-30-17 address these exceptions for a detached accessory non-residence structure.

Step four:

Do I need a building permit? Visit the Building Safety Division Residential Construction page.

The uses allowed on a given property depend upon what it is zoned. Generally, those with an “R” (RS, RSL, RM; Note: Actual residential zoning districts include numbers to indicate lot size or higher density – e.g. RS-15, RS-6, RSL-3.5, RM -2) are for residence uses, those with a “C” (NC, LC, GC) are for commercial uses, and those with an “I” (LI, GI, HI) are for industrial uses (also referred to as employment use). The uses permitted in each zoning district are listed in tables in Chapters 4 – 10 of the City of Mesa Zoning Ordinance. Once you know the zoning on your property you can use the tables in these chapters to find the list of allowed uses.

Here are the steps needed to find allowed uses.

1. Visit the Zoning Ordinance page
2. Select the chapter that contains the type of zoning you are looking for. For this example we are looking for uses for property zoned LC, Limited Commercial; select Chapter 6 Commercial and Mixed Use Districts.
3. Once the chapter opens, either click on the Land Use Regulations link or scroll down to the start of Table 11-6-2 on page 6-3. This table continues through page 6-7 and the footnotes referenced in the cells finish on page 6-8. Each chapter contains a similar table with the list of uses and each table works the same as to the information provided. In this case, Table 11-6-2 looks like this:
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. On the section of the Table displayed above, we see that in the LC zoning District Pet Stores are permitted by right in the LC zoning district, but Kennels require approval of a SUP before they are permitted. Footnote (4) states that the use “Must be confined to completely enclosed, sound-attenuated facilities.
5. This Table also lets you compare how the same use is treated in different zoning districts. For example, Small Animal Day Care requires a SUP in the NC, LC, and MX zoning districts, is allowed by right in the GC district, but is not allowed in the OC district.
6. For further explanation as to what uses fit within a given use category (e.g. Small Animal Day Care or Kennel), turn to Chapter 86.

Visit the Planning & Zoning interactive map

For map help, click on the blue question mark button in the upper right hand corner.