11-30-6A Nonconforming Lots

As original platting has changed overtime and development regulations have changed as well, some lots are now considered non-conforming and unbuildable. They typically sit empty, creating a larger than average yard for the owner of an adjacent parcel. These lots, due to the nature of their creation are often found in older and central neighboorhoods. Creating more housing in these neighborhoods could help support a greater diversity of uses as well as creating more accessibility to these established neighboorhoods.

Using Section 11-30-6A of Mesa Zoning Ordinance, these lots, under some circumstances, are buildable!

Section 11-30-6A

Any lot or parcel of land recorded in the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and lawfully created prior to the effective date of this Ordinance and having an area, width, depth, or street frontage less than that required by the zoning district regulations of that zone in which such lot or parcel is located, shall be deemed to be a lot and may be used as a building site, provided that all other regulations for the zoning district in which that lot is situated shall be applicable.

With some vision and imagination, this workaround to standard lot sizes becomes a way for a new typology to be introduced at an affordable price point in areas that have greater access to transit and other amenities as well as providing density.