Regulating Plans
Newly Adopted Text Amendments
Data Center and PAD Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 6, 7, 22, 21, 32, and 86 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance related to Data Centers and Planned Area Development (PAD) Overlay Districts.
The proposed text amendment will:
- Add a definition for Data Center and modify the definition of Indoor Warehousing and Storage.
- Modify land use tables to permit Data Centers as an accessory use in Commercial and Employment Districts, and as a principal use in the General Industrial (GI) and Heavy Industrial (GI) zoning districts, subject to approval of a Planned Area Development (PAD) Overlay District.
- Establish specific use standards (i.e. application requirements, development standards, operational standards, etc.) for Data Centers.
- Modify PAD Overlay Districts regulations to allow land uses not otherwise permitted in a base zoning district to be allowed through PAD approval.
Adopted: July 8, 2025
Ordinance: Document to be posted soon
Adoption by Reference Document: Section 11-31-36 Data Centers(PDF, 253KB) and Planned Area Development Overlay District Amendments(PDF, 115KB)
Zoning Code Refinement Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 30, 31, and 87 of the MZO relating to Accessory Dwelling Units, Detached Accessory Buildings, and Home Occupations.
The text amendments will:
- Exclude ADUs from the total detached accessory building size limit for lots.
- Permit the gross floor area of all detached accessory buildings to exceed the gross floor area of the home through approval of a Special Use Permit.
- Clarify setback rules for converting existing structures to ADUs.
- Refine the definition for Home Occupation.
- Add a definition for Home Addition.
Adopted: July 8, 2025
Ordinance: Document to be posted soon
Staff Presentation: June 11, 2025 Zoning Code Refinement Presentation(PDF, 2MB)
Form-Based Code Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 56, 58, 59, 60, and 64 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, also known as the Form-Based Code (FBC).
The amendments are intended to:
- Enhance clarity and usability of the FBC by reformatting chapters and refining text to better articulate the purpose of requirements and goals.
- Reduce the need for variances by modifying standards to better reflect Mesa's urban form and address inconsistencies with other development standards and requirements.
Adopted: July 1, 2025
Ordinance: 5948
Adoption by Reference Document: Form-Based Code Text Amendments(PDF, 10MB)
Marijuana Facilities Text Amendments
Amendments to Section 11-31-34 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance related to Marijuana Facilities.
The text amendment will:
- Increase the permissible size of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Dual Licensee Facilities from 2,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet.
- Remove the specific size requirements for storage areas and customer waiting areas in Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Dual Licensee Facilities.
- Remove the standard which restrict home delivery of marijuana products to just medical marijuana qualifying patients from Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.
Adopted: July 1, 2025
Ordinance: 5947
Subdivision (Land Division) Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapter 6 of the Public Ways and Property Ordinance (Title 9) related to subdivisions or the division of land.
The text amendment will:
- Allow for the administrative approval (without a public hearing) for the division of land.
- Create a Minor Plat procedure to allow for the division of 10 or fewer parcels, lots, or tracts of land without requiring a Preliminary Plat.
- Clarify the procedures and eligibility for plat revisions.
- Remove outdated exhibits and/or exhibits contained within the City’s Engineering Design Standards Manual.
- Update definitions.
Adopted: July 1, 2025
Ordinance: 5949
Adoption by Reference Document: 2025 Chapter 6 Land Division Regulations(PDF, 4MB)
Adaptive Reuse Permit Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapter 81 and 87 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Adaptive Reuse Permits.
The text amendment addresses modifications made by the state legislature to A.R.S. § 9-462.10. The amendments specifically:
- Modify terms within Chapter 81 (Adaptive Reuse Permit) to reflect eligibility of Existing Commercial, Office, and Mixed-use Parcels rather than buildings
- Modify the Adaptive Reuse Permit application cap
- Change the zoning districts in which Adaptive Reuse Permits are allowed
- Clarify the applicable development standards
- Modify the definitions for Adaptive Reuse, Adaptive Reuse Permit, Low-Income Housing, Moderate Income Housing, and Multiple Residence Reuse
- Remove the definition of Existing Commercial, Office, and Mixed-use Building
- Add a definition of Existing Commercial, Office, and Mixed-use Parcel
Adopted: July 1, 2025
Ordinance: 5946
Manufactured Home and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Subdivisions Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 34 and 87 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance to allow conventional construction in Manufactured Home and RV Subdivisions.
The amendments:
- Allow a property owner within a Manufactured Home or RV Subdivision to:
- Build a conventionally built dwelling unit on their lot
- Construct an addition to their unit which may include habitable space
- Construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Require compliance with development standards for:
- Manufactured Home and RV Subdivisions
- Accessory Dwelling Units
- Require compliance with Building Codes
- Require Compliance with Subdivision Regulations
The proposed text amendment does not:
- Require property owners to replace their units with conventionally built units
- Apply to Manufactured Home and RV Parks
Adopted: June 2, 2025
Ordinance: 5943
Presentations:
General Plan Reference Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 30, 31, 42, 63, and 75 pertaining to general plan references. The text amendments:
- Modify development standard tables to remove references to the general plan;
- Remove references to the general plan and replace them with references to the transportation plan;
- Update terminology related to the general plan with new terminology used in the Mesa 2050 General Plan; and
- Modify the time frame for major amendment public hearings.
Adopted: February 3, 2025
Ordinance: 5928
Accessory Dwelling Unit Text Amendments
Amendments to Chapters 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 30, 31, 32, 34, 86, and 87 to allow conventional construction in Manufactured Home and RV Subdivisions.
The amendments:
- Modify the rules of measurement for determining floor area
- Modify land use tables and footnotes pertaining to accessory dwelling units
- Modify standards for accessory structures within manufactured home parks
- Modify the definitions of accessory building or structure, accessory dwelling unit, gross floor area, and manufactured home accessory structure; adding definitions for floor area (net floor area), primary building, and primary residence
Adopted: October 7, 2024
Adoption By Reference Document: Associated ADU Text Amendments(PDF, 399KB)