Mesa offers density bonuses in select zoning districts and specific plans for projects providing affordable housing, structured parking, or public open space. Bonuses are negotiated through the site plan and rezoning process.
Unlike California's statewide State Density Bonus Law, Arizona has no comparable mandate, so Mesa relies on locally adopted bonus tables in its Zoning Ordinance and specific plans. Downtown Mesa Form-Based Code, Fiesta District, and station-area plans grant additional height or units in exchange for affordable units, public realm investments, or sustainable design features. Bonuses require demonstrating eligibility at site plan review and recording covenants for ongoing affordability where required. The base district controls if no bonus is requested.
Projects that claim bonus capacity without delivering the qualifying community benefit face permit revocation and recorded covenant enforcement against the property.
Mesa, AZ
Mesa applies transit-oriented zoning around Valley Metro Light Rail stations on Main Street, supporting higher density, mixed use, and reduced parking minimu...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa overlays subarea and specific plans on top of base Title 11 zoning to guide growth around downtown, Falcon Field, the Light Rail extension, and master-p...
See how Mesa's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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