Bentonville I-1 Light Industrial District Setback Requirements
In the City of Bentonville, the I-1: Light Industrial district requires a front setback of 75 feet if parking is located in front of the building, or 30 feet if parking is located elsewhere. The district enforces strict separation from residential areas, requiring 75-foot setbacks for both side and rear yards when adjacent to a residential zone. In contrast, setbacks for property lines bordering nonresidential districts or public rights-of-way range from 30 to 50 feet.
Minimum Setback Standards for the I-1 District
The City of Bentonville establishes specific setback requirements for the I-1: Light Industrial district to ensure proper separation between industrial activities and other land uses. These requirements vary based on the placement of parking and the nature of the adjacent property.
| Setback Location | Condition or Adjacency | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Front | With parking in front | 75 feet |
| Front | Without parking in front | 30 feet |
| Side | Adjacent to nonresidential district and/or ROW | 30 feet |
| Side | Adjacent to residential district | 75 feet |
| Rear | Adjacent to public Right-of-Way (ROW) | 30 feet |
| Rear | Adjacent to nonresidential district | 50 feet |
| Rear | Adjacent to residential district | 75 feet |
[Section 401.09(c)(1)]
Special Exceptions and Modifications
Railroad Adjacency
In the Bentonville I-1: Light Industrial district, where a property line directly abuts a railroad, the standard setback requirements are modified for logistical purposes. Loading and unloading portions of structures may be built up to the railroad property line [Section 401.09(c)(2)].
Height-Related Setback Increases
The maximum height allowed in the I-1: Light Industrial district is 60 feet. However, the City of Bentonville allows buildings to exceed this height limit provided that each required front, side, and rear yard setback is increased by an additional one foot for every one foot that the building exceeds the 60-foot limit [Section 401.09(d)(1)-(2)].
Screening Requirements for Residential Buffers
When a property in the I-1: Light Industrial district borders a property zoned for residential purposes, the City of Bentonville requires a permanent opaque screening fence or wall. This screen must be at least eight feet high and constructed of wood, masonry, or another durable opaque material [Section 401.09(e)(1)(c)].
Prohibitions on Front Yard Usage
The Bentonville zoning code explicitly prohibits the loading or storage of any materials within the required front yard of an I-1: Light Industrial district property [Section 401.09(e)(1)(d)]. Additionally, most operations in this district must be conducted within a building completely enclosed on all sides so they are not visible from adjoining lots [Section 401.09(e)(2)].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.02: Classification of Districts
- Section 401.09: Industrial (I) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.09(c): Industrial (I) districts setback requirements
- Section 401.09(d): Industrial (I) districts height standards
- Section 401.09(e): Industrial (I) districts development criteria