A-1 Agricultural District Setback Standards for Bentonville, Arkansas
In the City of Bentonville, all building types within the A-1 Agricultural District must adhere to a uniform minimum setback of 30 feet from the front, rear, interior side, and exterior side property lines. These regulations for the A-1 Agricultural District are designed to preserve prime agricultural lands and protect undeveloped areas from intensive use until a formal use pattern is approved. If a building in the A-1 Agricultural District exceeds the maximum height limit, all setbacks must be increased proportionally by one foot for every additional foot of building height.
Primary Setback Requirements
The City of Bentonville establishes strict minimum distance requirements between structures and property lines to ensure adequate spacing and the preservation of the agricultural character of the A-1 Agricultural District.
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement for A-1 Agricultural District |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 30 feet |
| Side Setback (Interior) | 30 feet |
| Side Setback (Exterior/Corner Lot) | 30 feet |
| Rear Setback | 30 feet |
[Section 401.06]
Permitted Setback Encroachments
The Bentonville Zoning Code allows certain architectural and landscape features to project into the required setbacks of the A-1 Agricultural District, provided they meet specific encroachment standards. None of these features are permitted to encroach into a right-of-way or easement unless specifically exempted by the City of Bentonville [Section 401.04].
| Feature | Encroachment Standard |
|---|---|
| Eaves, sills, cornices, or ornamental features | May project up to 18 inches into any required setback. |
| Bay windows, chimneys, and similar features | May encroach up to 2 feet into any required setback, but no closer than 3 feet to the side or rear property line. |
| Steps (finished floor 30" or less above grade) | May encroach up to 2 feet into any required setback, but no closer than 3 feet to the side or rear property line. |
| Awnings | May extend up to 6 feet into a required setback, but no closer than 2 feet to the curb of any street or property line. |
| In-ground pools | May encroach into setbacks, but shall not be located in an easement. |
[Section 401.04]
Accessory Structure Setbacks
Accessory structures in the A-1 Agricultural District, such as private garages, workshops, or sheds, are subject to different setback requirements based on their size and location on the lot.
Front Setbacks for Accessory Structures
In the A-1 Agricultural District, an accessory structure shall not extend beyond the front building line of the primary structure on the lot. Under no circumstances may an accessory structure be located in front of the primary structure [Section 601.01].
Side and Rear Setbacks for Accessory Structures
- Small Footprints (720 sq. ft. or less): These structures must maintain a minimum 7-foot side and rear setback.
- Large Footprints (Greater than 720 sq. ft.): These structures must adhere to the standard 30-foot side and rear setbacks required for the A-1 Agricultural District.
- Corner Lots: Accessory structures shall not project beyond the building line of the primary structure or any existing primary structure on an adjacent lot.
- Distance from Primary Structure: Any accessory structure in the A-1 Agricultural District exceeding 200 square feet must be located a minimum of 12 feet from the primary structure.
[Section 601.01]
Setback Adjustments for Height and Special Systems
The City of Bentonville applies specific setback increases for taller buildings and specialized energy systems within the A-1 Agricultural District.
Height-Based Increases
A building or structure in the A-1 Agricultural District may exceed the standard maximum height of 40 feet, provided that the front, side, and rear setbacks are each increased by one additional foot for every one foot that the building exceeds the maximum height [Section 401.06].
Renewable Energy Systems
- Solar Energy Systems: Ground-mounted and pole-mounted solar systems in the A-1 Agricultural District must be set back from the nearest property line a distance of no less than 1.1 times their total height. Furthermore, no portion of the system (including panels) may be closer than 5 feet to any property line [Section 601.24].
- Small Wind Energy Systems (WES): These systems must be set back from property lines and public/private roads a distance no less than 1.1 times the total height of the system. They must also be set back from any neighboring building structure a distance no less than 1.5 times the total height [Section 601.26].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.04 Application Of Zoning District Regulations
- Section 401.06 A-1, Agricultural District Regulations
- Section 601.01 Accessory Structures
- Section 601.24 Solar Energy Systems
- Section 601.26 Wind Energy System (WES), Small