O2026.XX ORDINANCE AMENDING TEMPE ZDC PART 5 OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS CHAPTER 6 TRANSP. OVERLAY DIST.DOCX

City of Tempe — Regular City Council Meeting (2026-06-25)

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Ordinance No. O2026.29
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. O2026.29
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 
OF TEMPE, ARIZONA, AMENDING THE TEMPE ZONING 
AND DEVELOPMENT CODE BY AMENDING PART 5 – 
OVERLAY 
ZONING 
DISTRICTS, 
CHAPTER 
6, 
TRANSPORTATION OVERLAY DISTRICT, SECTION 5-
602 - BOUNDARIES AND SECTION 5-612 - PEDESTRIAN 
ORIENTED 
DESIGN 
STANDARDS, 
AND 
ADDING 
SECTION 5-613 – PARKING STANDARDS.
WHEREAS, the City of Tempe has considered changes to the zoning code text in relation 
to parking standards in the Transportation Overlay District; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Director has reviewed the code text 
amendment and determined this ordinance to be administratively complete; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has received a recommendation of approval from the 
Development Review Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that:
1)
The proposed zoning text amendment is in the public interest;
2)
The proposed zoning text amendment conforms with the General Plan Land Use 
and Residential Density Map, and implements certain goals and objectives of the 
General Plan;
3)
The proposed zoning text amendment is compatible with the surrounding land uses, 
zoning designations and development standards; and
4)
The proposed zoning text amendment mitigates impacts on land use and or 
transportation.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 
OF TEMPE, ARIZONA, as follows:
Section 1. 
Tempe Zoning and Development Code, Chapter 6, Transportation Overlay 
District, Section 5-602 – Boundaries, is hereby amended as follows:
The location and boundaries of the Transportation Overlay District are established as shown on 
the map entitled "Zoning Map, City of Tempe," dated June 1, 2006, as amended. 
A.
Properties are within the District if any portion of the parcel or development is:

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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1.
Adjacent to a public right-of-way located within one thousand nine hundred fifty 
(1,950) linear feet from the center of a light rail station platform, measured along 
the center of the public right-of-way; or 
2.
Along a corridor ranging in width up to eight hundred (800) feet, centered on the 
light rail line. 
B.
Properties are within a station area if any portion of the parcel or development is: 
1.
Adjacent to a public right-of-way located within eight hundred (800) linear feet of 
a light rail station platform, measured along the center of any public right of way 
and including only properties adjacent to the public right-of-way. 
C.
THERE 
ARE 
SEVEN 
(7) 
STATION 
AREAS 
LOCATED 
WITHIN 
THE 
TRANSPORTATION OVERLAY DISTRICT:
1. MILL AVENUE AND THIRD STREET;
2. VETERANS WAY AND COLLEGE AVENUE;
3. UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND RURAL ROAD;
4. DORSEY LANE AND APACHE BOULEVARD;
5. MCCLINTOCK DRIVE AND APACHE BOULEVARD;
6. SMITH-MARTIN AND APACHE BOULEVARD; AND 
7. PRICE-101 AND APACHE BOULEVARD.
C. D. If any portion of a property falls within the boundaries established above, the balance of 
the property shall comply with these standards. For the purposes of determining 
development standard within the District, any property not within a station area is referred 
to as being in the corridor.
Section 2. 
Tempe Zoning and Development Code, Chapter 6, Transportation Overlay 
District, Section 5-602, Boundaries, Figure 5-602A, Transportation Overlay District Boundary 
Map, is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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Figure 5-602A. Transportation Overlay District Boundary Map
Section 3. 
Tempe Zoning and Development Code, Chapter 6, Transportation Overlay 
District, Section 5-603, Applicability is hereby amended as follows:
A.
Applicability. This chapter applies to all land use and development activity within the 
boundaries of the Transportation Overlay District except existing properties within the 
Single-Family Residential, Agricultural, Mobile Home or Mixed-Use-Educational zoned 
districts, or property within a Planned Area Development (PAD) recorded prior to the date 
of adoption of this Overlay. Regulations contained in this Chapter supplement and modify 
the provisions in many of the underlying zoning districts.
B.
Conformance. A project can meet the requirements of the Chapter by:

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1.
Option A: Submitting and receiving approval for a project that conforms to the 
standards of the Chapter. These standards represent generally the level of 
transportation orientation the City requires.
2.
Option B: Submitting and receiving approval for a project that generally conforms 
to the intent of the Transportation Overlay District as outlined in the purpose and 
objectives in Section 5-601 of this Chapter, while not meeting the literal standards 
of this Chapter. General conformance to the intent of this Chapter shall be 
determined through the development plan review process defined below:
The Applicant provides the Community Development Director or designee a 
written letter  requesting Option B. The letter should describe how the objectives 
in Section 5-601 and the pedestrian environment in Figure 5-612G are being met 
by the proposed development project. The letter must specify what deviations from 
the Overlay District standard(s) are being requested and how equivalency is being 
achieved. Within fourteen (14) business days the Community Development 
Director, or designee, will review the request and provide a written response 
specifying which deviations are determined to meet, as well as those that have not 
met, an equivalency to the intent of this Code.
3.
Option C: If an applicant is unable to use options listed above, the applicant may 
propose a zoning map amendment to a district allowing standards desired, using 
the process defined in Section 6-304 Zoning Map Amendments and Code Text 
Amendments; use a Planned Area Development Overlay as defined in Section 6-
305 Planned Area Development Overlay Districts; request a use permit as needed, 
using the process defined in Section 6-308 Use Permit; or request a variance using 
the process defined in Section 6-309 Variances. Use of any of these requested 
processes are not a guarantee of the desired entitlements; granting of requests is 
determined by the authorized legislative body.
C.
Amendments:
1.
Zoning map amendments for a property that results in changes to zoning districts 
that are currently exempt from the Overlay, will require an amendment to this 
Overlay, in order to include the property.
2.
Subdivision plat amendments for a property that is within, or adjacent to, the 
Overlay will require an amendment to this Overly OVERLAY to either include or 
exclude the property, depending on whether the new parcels are inside or outside 
of the defined boundaries of the Overlay.
3.
A property that is outside the Overlay District may be added to the Overlay if it is 
adjacent to a property, OR A PROPERTY SEPARATED BY A PUBLIC STREET 
OR ALLEY, that is within the boundaries of the overlay, AND WITHIN 800 FEET 
OF THE CENTERLINE OF A STREET FOR AREAS WITHIN A FUTURE 
STREETCAR ALIGNMENT. The property owner must obtain a zoning map

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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amendment pursuant to Section 6-304 Zoning Map Amendments and Code Text 
Amendments.
Section 4. 
Tempe Zoning and Development Code, Chapter 6, Transportation Overlay 
District, Section 5-612 - Pedestrian Oriented Design Standards, is hereby amended as follows: 
SECTION  5-612 – PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED DESIGN STANDARDS.
A.
Purpose. Since all trips begin and end as pedestrian trips, the quality of the pedestrian 
environment and the nature of the pedestrian linkages between land uses and transportation 
modes play a large role in the success of this multi-modal transportation system. the THE 
purpose of this section is to require a quality of urban design that attracts and encourages 
pedestrian activity, creates a safe, accessible, comfortable and pleasant environment for 
people and minimizes conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.
. . . .
J.
Minimum Parking Ratios. The purpose of this section is to provide an optional reduction 
in parking to developments within the Overlay District; this may be done at the time of 
development, or planned into a future phasing to assure parking availability prior to light 
rail construction. The minimum number of required parking spaces, as provided in Section 
4-603, is reduced for commercial uses that meet the criteria in Table 5-612A. The other 
methods of parking reduction (shared parking, parking demand model) provided in Section 
4-604 Shared Parking, are also available for use in the Transportation Overlay District. 
Table 5-612A - Transportation Overlay District Reductions to Minimum Parking 
Developments 
Within 
Station Areas 
Developments 
Within 
Corridor 
Retail sales and service uses; customer 
service offices; and entertainment uses, 
excluding theaters. 
Parking waived for 
50 percent of floor 
area not to exceed 
30,000 square feet of 
floor area. 
Parking waived for 
25 percent of floor 
area not to exceed 
10,000 square feet of 
floor area. 
Theaters 
Parking waived for 
first 150 seats. 
Parking waived for 
first 50 seats. 
Restaurants, Bars and Clubs
Parking waived for 
50 percent of floor 
area not exceed 2,500 
square feet of floor 
area. 
Parking waived for 
25 percent of floor 
area, not to exceed 
1,250 square feet of 
floor area. 
Multi-Family Use 
0.75 parking spaces 
per bedroom (round 
up to whole number) 
plus guest parking. 
0.75 parking spaces 
per bedroom (round 
up to whole number) 
plus guest parking. 
Outdoor Dining Area 
No Standard 
No Standard

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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K.
Maximum Parking Ratios. Uses in the Transportation Overlay District shall conform to 
the maximum parking ratios in Section 4-603(E). 
L. 
On-Street Parking. When allowed within the street right-of-way, on-street parking along 
the lot frontage shall count towards the parking requirement for uses on the lot.
M.J.
Sidewalk Standards. Public sidewalks within the Transportation Overlay District shall 
have a minimum width of eight (8) feet, unobstructed by light poles, parking meters, street 
furniture, plant materials, fences, fire hydrants, or other obstructions. EXCEPTIONS MAY 
BE MADE ON NEIGHBORHOOD OR LOCAL STREETS SUBJECT TO TRAFFIC 
ENGINEERING APPROVAL.
N. K. Landscape Standards. All standards and restrictions of Part 4 Chapter 7, Landscape 
Standards, are applicable, with the following additions and exceptions:
1.
Plant materials within five (5) feet of sidewalks or bike lanes shall not include any 
plants with thorns, spines or sharp points;
2.
Trees shall be planted within six (6) feet of sidewalks, or as determined by the 
Public Works Department to provide sufficient shade when trees have grown to 
mature form; and
3.
Mature trees must be trimmed for an eight (8) feet clear vertical height from top of 
walkway surface to the bottom of the tree canopy.
O.L.
Loading, Delivery, and Service Entrances. Site design must accommodate loading needs 
while preserving accessibility, mobility and safety for all other users.
1.
Provide sufficient space for safe maneuvering and ingress and egress of larger 
vehicles. Through-access solutions should be provided to minimize or eliminate 
turning within parking lots and minimize the amount of needed hardscaped area for 
maneuvering.
2.
Provide signs at entrance and exit points for loading and delivery, and provide 
audible signal when vehicle approaches pedestrian paths where appropriate. 
Understandable right-of-way signage shall be provided where truck, auto, 
pedestrian and bike conflicts may occur.
3.
Delivery vehicles should access loading from alleys or side streets where possible 
to minimize conflicts along heavy traffic areas.
4.
Deliveries during daylight off-peak traffic hours are preferred (when noise is not in 
conflict with residential uses).

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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5.
DROP OFF AND PICKUP SPACES FOR PASSENGER RIDE SHARE SHALL 
NOT OCCUPY REQUIRED PARKING OR TRAVEL LANES AND SHALL BE 
CLEARLY VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO DEVELOPMENT ENTRANCES. 
P. M. Open Space. Station areas shall include public open space as defined and determined 
within Station Area Plans. Within the corridor, public plazas, pocket parks, roof top 
gardens, courtyards and other forms of open space are encouraged. Retention areas may be 
used for park and recreation amenities as long as the primary use for storm water retention 
is still met. Pedestrian connections and corridors from neighborhoods through 
developments are encouraged to provide connectivity to open space amenities.
Q.N.
Station Areas. Station Area Plans will provide additional planning needs around light rail 
stations and identify future development opportunities. Station area plans identify land uses 
around each station, and design and development guidelines that can enhance the 
pedestrian environment and encourage transit ridership for the system. The station area 
plans shall define other design standards determined necessary to achieve a specific 
character for an area. The station area planning process can also evaluate the need for 
expanded TOD boundaries and/or creating pedestrian linkages along streets as needed. 
This would result in an amendment to the TOD. Station area planning may include a 
combination of any of the following:
1.
Land Use Inventory
a.
Existing and projected land uses
b.
Zoning analysis
c.
Land ownership analysis
d.
Open space assessment
e.
Vacant land inventory
2.
Neighborhood Character Analysis
a.
Visioning process
b.
Neighborhood focus groups
3.
Light Rail Station Connectivity
a.
Bike, pedestrian, bus and vehicular linkages
b.
Neighborhood connections
c.
Off-street paths, canals or trails

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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d.
Critical linkages
4.
Opportunity Site Assessment
a. Underutilized property analysis
b. City controlled property
c. Opportunity site options
5.
Streetscape Design
a.
Street lighting and furniture
b.
Landscape improvements
c.
Shade
d.
Public art
6.
Best Practices in Other Cities
7.
Community Outreach
a.
Neighborhoods, businesses and developers
R.O.
Shade Standards. Public sidewalks shall be shaded with a minimum of thirty-three 
percent (33%) full shade. Shade may be provided by trees, green walls, trellises, canopies, 
or other structural features. Shade shall cover the walkable surface at 3:00 p.m. on the date 
of the summer solstice, verified by a development shadow study. Shade calculations for 
trees will assume canopy growth at five (5) years from planting.
S.P.
Structural Encroachment Standard. The encroachment of buildings and structures 
including marquees, awnings, balconies, and other architectural projections is permitted on 
a case by case CASE-BY-CASE basis with review by the City Engineer, or designee, as 
part of the encroachment permit process defined in Tempe City Code Chapter 8, Section 
3202-3206. In addition to the encroachment permit, sidewalk cafes are required to obtain 
a specialty license from the City of Tempe's Tax and License Division, using the process 
defined in Tempe City Code Chapter 24, Division 4.
Section 5. Tempe Zoning and Development Code, Chapter 6, Transportation Overlay 
District, is hereby amended to add new Section 5-613, Parking Standards, as follows:
SECTION 5-613 - PARKING STANDARDS.

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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A.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO PROVIDE AN OPTIONAL REDUCTION 
IN PARKING TO DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE OVERLAY DISTRICT; THIS 
MAY BE DONE AT THE TIME OF DEVELOPMENT OR PLANNED INTO A 
FUTURE PHASE TO ASSURE PARKING AVAILABILITY. THE MINIMUM 
NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4-603, 
IS REDUCED FOR USES THAT MEET THE CRITERIA IN TABLE 5-613A. THE 
OTHER METHODS OF PARKING REDUCTION (SHARED PARKING, PARKING 
DEMAND MODEL) PROVIDED IN SECTION 4-604 SHARED PARKING, ARE ALSO 
AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE TRANSPORTATION OVERLAY DISTRICT. 
B.
USES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OVERLAY DISTRICT SHALL CONFORM TO 
THE MAXIMUM PARKING RATIOS IN SECTION 4-603 (E).
C.
ON-STREET PARKING. WHEN ALLOWED WITHIN THE STREET RIGHT-OF-
WAY, ON-STREET PARKING ALONG THE LOT FRONTAGE SHALL COUNT 
TOWARDS THE PARKING REQUIREMENT FOR USES ON THE LOT.
D.
FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS, THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARKING 
SPACES SHALL BE THE SUM OF THE REQUIRED PARKING PER USE WITHIN 
THE DEVELOPMENT, BASED ON TABLE 5-613A.
TABLE 5-613A – TRANSPORTATION OVERLAY DISTRICT REDUCTIONS TO 
MINIMUM PARKING
Single-Family 
Uses 
Multi-Family
All types of 
commercial 
uses, including 
retail, 
restaurant, 
bar, office, and 
conference/ass
embly, 
excluding 
hotels 
/assembly
Hotels 
STATION 
AREA
1. Mill 
Avenue and 
Third 
Street
2. Veterans 
Way (5th 
Street) and 
College 
Avenue
Refer to Section 
4-607 - 
Downtown 
Parking 
Standards
Refer to Section 
4-607 - 
Downtown 
Parking 
Standards
Refer to Section 
4-607 - 
Downtown 
Parking 
Standards
Refer to Section 
4-607 - 
Downtown 
Parking 
Standards

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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3. University 
Drive and 
Rural Road
4. Dorsey 
Lane and 
Apache 
Boulevard
1 space per unit 
+ 0.1 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
0.4 spaces per 
bedroom + 0.1 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
1 space per 500 
SF 
0.5 spaces per 
hotel unit, + 
commercial.   
First 5,000 SF 
waived for 
commercial; 1 
space per 500 
SF thereafter
5. McClintock 
Drive and 
Apache 
Boulevard
6. Smith-
Martin and 
Apache 
Boulevard
7. Price-101 
and Apache 
Boulevard
1 space per unit 
+ 0.1 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
0.5 spaces per 
bedroom + 0.1 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
1 space per 500 
SF
0.5 spaces per 
hotel unit, + 
commercial.  
First 5,000 SF 
waived for 
commercial; 1 
space per 500 
SF thereafter
WITHIN 
CORRIDOR
1 space per unit 
+ 0.2 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
0.5 spaces per 
bedroom + 0.2 
unrestricted 
guest spaces per 
unit 1
1 space per 500 
SF 
0.5 spaces per 
hotel unit + 
commercial 
1Unrestricted guest space means parking accessible to visitors or customers without reservation or restriction, 
including on street, and does not preclude parking for a fee such as gated, commercial or park and ride lots.
Section 6.  Pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-462.01(J), the City Council has considered the probable 
impact of this zoning ordinance on the cost to construct housing for sale or rent.
Section 7.  If any section, subsection, sentence clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance 
or any part of the code adopted herein is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by 
the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of 
the remaining portions thereof.  
Section 8.  All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of the 
Code adopted herein are hereby repealed.

Ordinance No. O2026.29
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Section 9.  The City Clerk is hereby authorized to correct clerical and grammatical errors, 
if any, related to this ordinance, and to make formatting changes appropriate for purposes of clarity, 
form, or consistency with the Tempe City Code or Zoning Development Code. 
Section 10.  The various City officers and employees are hereby authorized and directed 
to perform all acts necessary to give effect to this ordinance.
Section 11. Pursuant to City Charter, Section 2.12, ordinances are effective thirty (30) days 
after adoption. 
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPE, 
ARIZONA, this 25th day of June, 2026.
____________________________
Corey D. Woods, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kara A. DeArrastia, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
Eric C. Anderson, City Attorney