Bentonville A-1 Agricultural District: Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The A-1 Agricultural District in Bentonville is established to preserve prime agricultural lands and protect undeveloped areas from intensive use until a formal use pattern is approved. Within this district, a minimum lot size of five acres (217,800 square feet) is required for most developments, including single-family dwellings and farming operations. The district permits a wide array of agricultural and public service activities by right, while requiring a conditional use permit for more intensive activities like slaughterhouses and outdoor commercial recreation.
Description and Purpose of the A-1 District
The A-1 Agricultural District is intended to maintain the rural character of specific areas within the Municipality of Bentonville. These regulations serve to protect the soil and environment by limiting the density of population and the intensity of land use. All territory annexed into the Municipality of Bentonville is automatically classified as District A-1 unless a different zoning is provided for in the annexing ordinance [Section 401.04 and Section 401.06].
Technical Standards for the A-1 Agricultural District
Developments within the Bentonville A-1 Agricultural District must adhere to strict bulk, area, and height requirements to ensure the preservation of open space.
Lot and Area Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 217,800 square feet (5 acres) |
| Minimum Land Area per Dwelling Unit | 217,800 square feet (5 acres) |
| Minimum Lot Width | 100 feet |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 100 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage (Interior Lot) | 30% |
| Maximum Lot Coverage (Exterior/Corner Lot) | 30% |
Minimum Setback Standards
| Setback Location | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 30 feet |
| Side Setback (Interior) | 30 feet |
| Side Setback (Exterior) | 30 feet |
| Rear Setback | 30 feet |
Height Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height Allowed | 40 feet* |
*Exception: A building or structure in the A-1 Agricultural District may exceed 40 feet if all front, side, and rear setbacks are increased by one additional foot for every one foot the building exceeds the maximum height limit [Section 401.06(b)(3)a].
Allowed Uses in the A-1 Agricultural District
The following uses are permitted either by right, as accessory uses, or through the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Bentonville Planning Commission.
Uses Allowed By Right
The Municipality of Bentonville permits the following primary and secondary uses by right in the A-1 Agricultural District:
- General Agriculture: Farming, dairying, pasturage, apiculture, aquaculture, horticulture, and poultry husbandry.
- Agricultural Processing: Processing, preparing, or packaging agricultural products not grown on-site.
- Agriculture-Related Business: Retail sale of supplies related to agricultural production (feed, seed, fertilizers).
- Animal Services: Animal clinics, kennels, shelters, and the raising of farm animals.
- Residential: Single-family dwellings and modular homes.
- Public and Institutional: Cemeteries, mausoleums, child care licensed centers, registered family homes (5 children or less), and governmental service facilities.
- Parks and Recreation: Golf courses, mini-parks, and neighborhood parks.
- Industrial/Trade: Livestock markets, greenhouses, plant nurseries, and commercial stables.
- Correctional: Correctional facilities or jails [Section 401.05].
Accessory Uses
These uses are allowed only when incidental to a primary permitted use:
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
- Home Occupations (Type A).
- Non-residential accessory buildings.
- Solar energy systems (Ground, Pole, or Roof-mounted).
- Donation boxes [Section 401.05].
Conditional Uses
The following uses require a Conditional Use Permit to ensure compatibility with the surrounding A-1 Agricultural District environment:
- Specialized Animals: Keeping of exotic animals.
- Intensive Agriculture: Slaughterhouses.
- Public Assembly/Recreation: Aquariums, arenas, auditoriums, community centers, outdoor commercial recreation facilities, country clubs, and event centers.
- Institutional: Educational facilities, museums, and religious facilities.
- Lodging: Bed and breakfast establishments.
- Miscellaneous: Outdoor music venues, temporary uses, and wireless communication facilities (cell towers).
- Signs: Digital billboards [Section 401.05 and Section 801.17].
Prohibited Uses in the A-1 Agricultural District
The A-1 Agricultural District strictly prohibits most high-intensity commercial and multi-family residential uses to prevent urban sprawl. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:
- Commercial Retail: Bakeries, bars, lounges, taverns, copy services, and financial institutions.
- Residential Density: Multi-family dwellings (apartments), duplexes, townhomes, and cottage courts.
- Heavy Industry: Most "Intensive Industrial" uses such asFoundries, foundries, chemical compounding, or railroad freight terminals.
- Medical Marijuana: Both cultivation facilities and dispensaries are prohibited in the A-1 district.
- Automotive: Automobile repair, gas stations, and vehicle sales/rentals.
- Specific Vending: Outdoor vendor parks [Section 401.05].
Sections Cited
- Article 201 Definitions
- Sec 401.02 Classification Of Districts
- Sec 401.04 Application Of Zoning District Regulations
- Sec 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Sec 401.06 A-1, Agricultural District Regulations
- Sec 601.01 Accessory Structures
- Sec 601.25 Temporary Uses And Structures
- Sec 801.17 Digital Billboards