Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the DC: Downtown Core District of Bentonville
The DC: Downtown Core zoning district in Bentonville is a high-intensity, vertical mixed-use environment centered around the Bentonville Square, permitting up to 100% lot coverage and requiring a minimum building height of 20 feet. It is designed to maintain a pedestrian-oriented character, allowing for vertical mixed-use where commercial and retail functions occupy the first floor while residential or office uses occupy upper stories [Section 401.8-B]. By right, the municipality permits a wide array of residential, professional, and retail uses, while strictly prohibiting industrial, heavy commercial, and intensive agricultural operations [Section 401.05].
Permitted Uses in the DC: Downtown Core District
The following uses are allowed by right within the DC: Downtown Core district in Bentonville.
Residential Uses
- Single-Family, Two-Family, and Multi-Family Dwellings [Section 401.05]
- Townhouses or Row Houses (including End Block configurations) [Section 401.05]
- Condominiums [Section 401.05]
- Group Homes [Section 401.05]
- Residential Facilities: Assisted Living, Extended Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Temporary Shelters [Section 401.05]
Commercial, Retail, and Service Uses
- Retail stores and Artisan Shops [Section 401.05]
- Restaurants, including Drive-in and Drive-through service [Section 401.05]
- Bars, Lounges, Taverns, and Microbrewery-Restaurants [Section 401.05]
- Hotels and Motels, including Bed and Breakfasts [Section 401.05]
- Financial Institutions (Banks) and ATM Machines [Section 401.05]
- Personal Services (Barbers, Beauty Shops, etc.) [Section 401.05]
- Indoor Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Facilities [Section 401.05]
- Professional Offices and Copy Services [Section 401.05]
- Funeral Homes and Mortuaries [Section 401.05]
- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries [Section 401.05]
- Outdoor Vending, Mobile Food Vendors, and Vendor Parks [Section 401.05]
Civic, Public, and Medical Uses
- Governmental Service Facilities and Public Safety Services [Section 401.05]
- Libraries, Museums, and Community Centers [Section 401.05]
- Religious Facilities [Section 401.05]
- Educational Facilities [Section 401.05]
- Hospitals, Urgent Care Clinics, Doctor Offices, and Medical Laboratories [Section 401.05]
- Substance Abuse or Mental Health Treatment Clinics [Section 401.05]
- Mini-Parks and Neighborhood Parks [Section 401.05]
- Event Centers and Arenas/Auditoriums [Section 401.05]
Conditional and Accessory Uses
Certain uses in the DC: Downtown Core require a Conditional Use Permit (C) or are only permitted as Accessory Uses (A) to a primary structure.
| Use Type | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Occupation, Type B | Conditional | Requires Planning Commission approval [Section 301.06] |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Accessory | Permitted as a secondary residential unit [Section 601.02] |
| Home Occupation, Type A | Accessory | Permitted administratively [Section 601.12] |
| Solar Energy Systems | Accessory | Subject to roof or ground-mounting standards [Section 601.24] |
| Wind Energy Systems (Small) | Accessory | 100 kW or less for on-site consumption [Section 601.26] |
| Donation Boxes | Accessory | Maximum of two per parcel [Section 601.34] |
Prohibited Uses
Uses not listed as permitted or conditional are generally prohibited in the DC: Downtown Core district. Key prohibited uses include:
- Industrial: Intensive and Light Industrial, Junk or Salvage Yards, and Warehousing/Wholesaling [Section 401.05].
- Heavy Commercial: Automobile Repair, Car Washes, Gas Stations, and Heavy Equipment Sales [Section 401.05].
- Intensive Agriculture: Slaughterhouses, Livestock Markets, and Commercial Stables [Section 401.05].
- Adult/Restricted: Sexually Oriented Businesses are explicitly prohibited in all districts except C-2 [Section 601.22].
- Outdoor Recreation: Go-kart tracks, water slides, and commercial drive-in movie theaters [Section 401.05].
Development and Technical Standards
Structures in the DC: Downtown Core must adhere to high-density urban standards to maintain the character of Bentonville's center.
Lot and Area Standards
| Standard | Residential Requirement | Non-Residential Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | None | None |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Minimum Building Height | 20 Feet | 20 Feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 80 Feet | 80 Feet |
Setback Requirements
| Yard Type | Residential (Max Setback) | Non-Residential (Max Setback) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 20 Feet | 0 Feet (Must be on property line) |
| Side Yard | 0 Feet | 0 Feet |
| Rear Yard | 0 Feet | 0 Feet |
Parking Ratios for the Downtown Core
The Downtown Core has unique parking requirements based on the floor level and the size of the establishment.
| Use / Location | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| First Floor (< 3,000 sf) | None |
| First Floor (> 3,000 sf) | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| Upper Floors (Residential) | 1 space per unit |
| Upper Floors (Other) | 1 space per 1,000 square feet |
Sections Cited
- Section 301.06 Conditional Uses
- Section 401.05 Table of Uses for Zoning Districts
- Section 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.06 Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 601.02 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Section 601.12 Home Occupations
- Section 601.22 Sexually Oriented Business
- Section 601.24 Solar Energy Systems
- Section 601.26 Wind Energy System (WES), Small
- Section 601.34 Unattended Donation Boxes