Long Range Planning

Long Range Planning is responsible for developing plans, policies, and programs designed to guide the physical design and development of Mesa. We work with local residents, neighborhood and business groups, developers, local jurisdictions, and other community stakeholders to help provide a quality of life that is responsive to all its residents. businesses, and neighborhoods.

Proposed Text Amendments

Manufactured Home and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Subdivisions Text Amendments

Upcoming Meetings

City Council Introduction
May 19, 2025
5:45 pm
City Hall Council Chambers
20 E. Main Street

City Council Action
June 2, 2025
5:45 pm
City Hall Council Chambers
20 E. Main Street

Proposed Amendment Details
Mesa is considering amendments to Chapters 34 and 87 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance to allow conventional construction in Manufactured Home and RV Subdivisions.

The proposed text amendment would:

  • 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

Draft Ordinance: Manufactured Home and RV Text Amendments(PDF, 352KB)

Presentation: Community and Cultural Development Committee(PDF, 1MB) - February 6, 2025

Form-Based Code Text Amendments

Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
May 28, 2025
4 p.m.
Old City Council Chambers (upper level)
57 E. First St.

Proposed Amendment Details
Mesa is considering amendments to Chapters 56, 58, 59, 60, and 64 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, also known as the Form-Based Code (FBC).

The proposed 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.

Draft Ordinance: Form-Based Code Ordinance(PDF, 283KB)

Draft Adoption by Reference Document: Form-Based Code Text Amendments(PDF, 5MB)

Marijuana Facilities Text Amendments


Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
May 28, 2025
4 p.m.
Old City Council Chamber (upper level)
57 E. First Street

Proposed Amendment Details
 Mesa is considering amendments to Section 11-31-34 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance related to Marijuana Facilities.

The proposed text amendment would:

  • 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.

Draft Ordinance: Marijuana Facilities(PDF, 271KB)

Subdivision (Land Division) Text Amendments


Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
May 28, 2025
4 p.m.
Old City Council Chamber (upper level)
57 E. First Street

Proposed Amendment Details
 Mesa is considering amendments to Chapter 6 of the Public Ways and Property Ordinance (Title 9) related to subdivisions or the division of land.

The proposed text amendment would:

  • 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.

Draft Ordinance: Land Division Ordinance(PDF, 502KB)
Draft Adoption by Reference Document: 2025 Chapter 6 Land Division Regulations(PDF, 7MB)

Adaptive Reuse Permit Text Amendments

Proposed Amendment Details
 Mesa is considering amendments to Chapter 81 and 87 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Adaptive Reuse Permits.

The proposed text amendment address 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

Draft Ordinance: 2025 Adaptive Reuse Permit Ordinance(PDF, 390KB)

Codes & Ordinances

Regulating Plans

Newly Adopted Text Amendments

Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached Accessory Building, and other Misc. Text Amendments 
Amendments to Chapters 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 30, 31, 32, 34, 86, and 87 pertaining to Detached Accessory Buildings, Accessory Dwelling Units, Public Safety Facilities, and Various Technical Updates and Minor Revisions. The text amendments:  

  • Modify the definition of Accessory Dwelling Unit; 

  • Expand the number of permissible zoning districts for ADUs; 

  • Increase the permissible size of ADUs; 

  • Modify the height and setback requirements for ADUs;  

  • Modify covered parking requirements when converting a garage or carport to an ADU; 

  • Allow for nonconforming structures to be converted to an ADU; 

  • Modify the height and setback requirements for detached accessory buildings or structures; 

  • Modify the accessory structure requirements for manufactured homes; 

  • Add Public Safety Facilities as a permitted use in residential zoning districts; and  

  • Various technical updates and minor revisions. 

Adopted: October 7, 2024 
Ordinance: 5883(PDF, 2MB)
Adoption by Reference Document: 2024 Associated ADU Text Amendments(PDF, 399KB)  

Billboard Text Amendments 
Amendments to Chapter 25 pertaining to Billboards. The text amendments: 

  • Modify the spacing requirement between a Billboard and another Billboard or between a Billboard and a Freeway Landmark Monument;  

  • Modify the spacing requirements between Billboards and Residential Zoning Districts or residential uses; and  

  • Clarify the height requirements for Billboards.  

Adopted: November 4, 2024 
Ordinance: 5889(PDF, 359KB)

Freeway Landmark Monument Text Amendments 
Amendments to Chapter 43 pertaining to Freeway Landmark Monuments. The text amendments: 

  • Repeal the Freeway Landmark Monument Design Guidelines and incorporate the development standards in Section 11-43-7 of the MZO 

  • Remove the General Plan Character Area Designation eligibility requirement for Freeway Landmark Monuments;  

  • Modify the height requirements for a Freeway Landmark Monument;  

  • Modify the sign area calculation for Freeway Landmark Monuments;  

  • Add a spacing requirement between Freeway Landmark Monuments and Billboards;   

  • Modify the spacing requirements for Freeway Landmark Monument to Residential Zoning Districts or residential uses;  

  • Modify the project identification standards for Freeway Landmark Monuments;  

  • Modify the development standards for the nighttime illumination of Freeway Landmark Monuments;  

  • Modify the development standards for electronic message displays;  

  • Add maintenance requirements; and 

  • Add modification provision to the development standards contained within Section 11-43-7. 

Adopted: November 18, 2024 
Ordinance: 5886(PDF, 871KB)

Adaptive Reuse Permit Text Amendments  
Amendments to Chapters 6, 7, 8, 81, and 87 pertaining to Adaptive Reuse. The text amendments: 

  • Add Chapter 81: Adaptive Reuse Permit; 

  • Amend land use tables to allow for multiple residence use buildings in Commercial, Industrial, and Downtown Districts with the approval of an Adaptive Reuse Permit; and  

  • Add definitions for Adaptive Reuse; Adaptive Reuse Permit; Existing Commercial, Office, and Mixed-use Buildings; Low-Income Housing; Moderate-Income Housing; and Multiple Residence Reuse.  

Adopted: December 9, 2024 
Ordinance: 5904(PDF, 579KB)  

Administrative Completeness Review Timeline Text Amendments  
Amendments to Chapters 67 and 87 pertaining to Administrative Completeness Review Timelines. The text amendments: 

  • Add a timeframe for Administrative Completeness Review of residential zoning applications;  

  • Add a process for residential zoning applications that are deemed incomplete;  

  • Add a timeframe for approving or denying a residential zoning application;  

  • Provide exceptions from the residential zoning application timeframes; and 

  • Add a definition of Residential Zoning Application. 

Adopted: December 9, 2024 
Ordinance: 5905(PDF, 443KB)

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(PDF, 550KB)

Design Guidelines

Desert Uplands


City Plans

Sub-Area Plans 

Redevelopment Plans

Construction and Engineering Standards

Contact Us

Main Phone

480-644-2385

 

Planner of the Day

480-644-4726

 

Email

LongRangePlanning@mesaaz.gov

 

Hours

Monday - Thursday
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

 

Office Location

55 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201

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