Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the Bentonville C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial District
The C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district in the City of Bentonville is designed for high-density, walkable areas outside of the downtown core that integrate neighborhood commercial services, professional offices, and medium-density residential housing. In the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district, property owners are permitted to cover up to 100% of the lot with structures and are generally exempt from minimum lot area, width, or depth requirements, while most professional and residential uses are permitted by right.
Purpose and Characteristics
The City of Bentonville established the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district to provide opportunities for residents to live, work, and shop within a single vicinity. The district emphasizes an urban, walkable character that encourages physical activity and alternative transportation to improve the health and well-being of the community [Section 401.08(a)(4)].
Permitted Uses by Right
A wide variety of activities are allowed by right in the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial designation, meaning they do not require a conditional use permit or a specific site plan beyond standard building requirements.
Residential and Living Facilities
- Single-Family, Two-Family, and Multi-Family Dwellings
- Condominiums
- Cottage Courts
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Group Homes
- Assisted Living and Extended Medical Care Facilities
- Rehabilitation and Temporary Shelter Facilities
- Home Occupations (Type A and Type B) [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Commercial and Professional Services
- Retail stores and Artisan Shops
- Banks, Financial Institutions, and ATMs
- Professional Offices and Medical/Doctor Offices
- Restaurants (including Microbrewery-Restaurants and Drive-Throughs)
- Bars, Lounges, or Taverns
- Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts
- Personal Services (Barber shops, beauty salons, etc.)
- Bakery and Indoor Equipment Rental
- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
- Pharmacy and Postal Services
- Child Care Centers and Family Homes [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Civic and Cultural Uses
- Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Studios
- Community Centers and Event Centers
- Religious Facilities
- Aquariums and Botanical Gardens
- Educational Facilities
- Public Safety and Government Service Facilities
- Parks (Mini, Neighborhood, and Community) [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Agricultural and Utility Uses
- Agricultural Product Processing
- Agriculture-Related Businesses
- Greenhouses and Urban Farms
- Utility Facilities and Wireless Communication Facilities (Cell Towers) [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Conditional Uses
Certain uses in the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district require a Conditional Use Permit from the Bentonville Planning Commission due to their potential impact on surroundings or the city infrastructure.
- Outdoor Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Facilities
- Outdoor Vendor Parks
- Temporary Uses [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Prohibited Uses
Uses that are fundamentally incompatible with the mixed-use, walkable nature of the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to:
- Intensive and Light Industrial operations
- Animal Shelters, Kennels, or Farm Animal keeping
- Slaughterhouses and Stables
- Salvage Yards and Junk Yards
- Bulk Storage of Highly Flammable Materials
- Construction and Heavy Equipment Sales or Rental
- Warehouse and Wholesaling (except as accessory)
- Sexually Oriented Businesses [Section 401.05 Table of Uses; Section 601.22]
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parks [Section 401.05 Table of Uses]
Development and Technical Standards
Development in the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district must adhere to specific spatial and dimensional requirements to maintain its high-density character.
Lot and Area Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | None |
| Minimum Lot Width | None |
| Minimum Lot Depth | None |
| Maximum Lot Coverage (Interior & Corner) | 100% |
Setback and Height Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 0 feet |
| Side Setback (General) | 0 feet |
| Side Setback (Adjacent to Residential) | 10 feet |
| Rear Setback | 0 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 60 feet |
Height Exception: Any structure in the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district that exceeds 60 feet must be set back an additional one foot for every one foot of height above the 60-foot limit. This extra setback applies only to the portion of the structure that exceeds the maximum height [Section 401.08(d)(2)].
Parking and Loading
- Residential Parking: C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial developments require one (1) parking space per dwelling unit [Section 501.06(e)(1)(a)].
- Location: In the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial district, off-street parking lots must be located at the side or rear of the primary building [Section 501.03(c)].
- Screening: Surface parking must be designed to ensure that vehicles do not interrupt pedestrian movement at the front of the building [Section 501.06(e)(1)(c)].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.02 Classification Of Districts
- Section 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Section 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.03 Location Of Off-Street Parking
- Section 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 601.01 Accessory Structures
- Section 601.22 Sexually Oriented Business
- Section 601.29 Alcohol Sales