Banking and Financial Institution Zoning in Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, financial institutions are permitted by right in the RO (Residential Office), C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), C-3 (Mixed-Use Commercial), DC (Downtown Core), and DE (Downtown Edge) districts. Standalone ATM machines are allowed even more broadly, including the I-1 (Light Industrial) and I-2 (Heavy Industrial) districts. Most financial developments in Bentonville must provide one parking space per 300 square feet of net floor area, though reduced requirements apply within the Downtown districts.
Definitions of Financial Services
The City of Bentonville Zoning Code identifies two primary categories related to banking and financial services:
- Financial Institution: An establishment providing financial and banking services to consumers or clients. This category includes banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, credit unions, lending establishments, and on-site automatic teller machines [Sec 201.02].
- ATM (Automatic Teller Machine): An automatic device that performs banking or financial functions at a location remote from the controlling financing institution [Sec 201.02].
Permitted Zoning Districts
The Bentonville Table of Uses specifies where these activities may occur. A dot (●) in the table indicates the use is allowed by right as a primary and secondary use [Sec 401.05].
| Use Category | RO | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 | DC | DE | I-1 | I-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Institution | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||
| ATM Machine | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Development Standards for Financial Institutions
Developments for financial services must comply with the specific lot, area, and setback standards of their respective Bentonville zoning districts.
Parking Requirements
Adequate off-street parking must be provided for every use within the City of Bentonville [Sec 501.01]. Financial institutions typically follow the standards for business and professional offices.
| District / Condition | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Districts (RO, C-1, C-2) | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area [Sec 501.06(f)] |
| DC (Downtown Core) | First Floor > 3,000 sf: 1 space per 500 sf [Sec 501.06(d)] |
| DE (Downtown Edge) | Nonresidential > 3,000 sf: 1 space per 1,000 sf [Sec 501.06(d)] |
| C-3 District | Use standard office ratio; parking must be at the side or rear [Sec 501.03(c)] |
Note: For structures larger than 10,000 square feet in standard districts, the parking requirement is graduated (e.g., 95% for the portion between 10,001–20,000 sq. ft.) [Sec 501.06(f)].
Setback Standards
Setbacks for financial institutions vary significantly depending on the Bentonville district and whether the property is adjacent to a residential area.
| District | Front Setback | Side Setback (Interior) | Rear Setback (Interior) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RO (Residential Office) | 20' - 50'* | 7' - 10' | 25' |
| C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) | 20' - 50'* | 7' (15' if adj. to residential) | 20' (25' if adj. to residential) |
| C-2 (General Commercial) | 20' - 50'* | 7' (30' if adj. to residential) | 20' (30' if adj. to residential) |
| C-3 (Mixed-Use) | 0' | 0' (10' if adj. to residential) | 0' |
| DC (Downtown Core) | 0' (Max 20') | 0' | 0' |
| DE (Downtown Edge) | 0' (No Min) | 7' | 7' (12' if adj. to residential) |
*In RO, C-1, and C-2 districts, the front setback is 50 feet if parking is located in the front and 20 feet if no parking is in front [Sec 401.07(c)(1), Sec 401.08(c)(1)].
Specific District Regulations
Downtown Districts (DC and DE)
In the Bentonville Downtown Core (DC), the code encourages a pedestrian-oriented character. Mixed-use is defined as vertical, with commercial/retail (such as a bank) on the first floor and office or residential on upper floors [Sec 401.8-B(a)(1)]. In the Downtown Edge (DE), horizontal and vertical mixed-use is permitted on all floors [Sec 401.8-B(a)(2)].
Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3)
The C-3 district is designed for areas outside of downtown to provide an urban, walkable character. In the C-3 district, financial institutions must locate parking lots to the rear or side of the primary building [Sec 401.08(a)(4), Sec 501.03(c)].
Residential Office (RO)
The RO district is intended for offices (including financial services) where the continuation of strictly residential activity is no longer practical, serving as a transition area between residential and nonresidential uses [Sec 401.07(a)(9)].
Sections Cited
- Sec 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Sec 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Sec 401.07 Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Sec 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Sec 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Sec 501.01 Applicability
- Sec 501.03 Location Of Off-Street Parking
- Sec 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required