Bentonville R-ZL: Zero Lot Line District Setback and Development Standards

Primary structures in the Bentonville R-ZL: Zero Lot Line district are required to maintain a minimum front setback of 20 feet and a minimum rear setback of 25 feet. This specialized residential district permits one side yard to be reduced to 0 feet, provided the opposing side yard on the same lot maintains a minimum width of 12 feet [Section 401.07(b)(4)].

Minimum Setback Standards for the R-ZL District

In Bentonville, the R-ZL district is designed to provide moderate-density residential opportunities through efficient land use. The following table outlines the specific setback distances required for primary structures within this district.

Setback Type	Minimum Requirement
Front Yard	20 feet
Side Yard (Interior)	12 feet on one side / 0 feet on the other
Side Yard (Exterior/Corner)	20 feet
Rear Yard	25 feet

[Section 401.07(c)(1)]

Specific Side Yard Provisions

The defining characteristic of the R-ZL: Zero Lot Line district in Bentonville is the ability to place a structure directly on one side property line. However, the City of Bentonville mandates that the wall located on the 0-foot side property line must be "blank," meaning it contains no windows, doors, or openings of any type [Section 201.02]. Additionally, the requirement for a 12-foot interior side yard on the opposing side ensures adequate separation and access between neighboring structures [Section 401.07(b)(4)].

Lot and Area Requirements

In addition to setbacks, the Bentonville R-ZL district is governed by specific lot dimensions and coverage limits to maintain its moderate-density character.

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	4,000 square feet
Maximum Lot Coverage (Interior)	60%
Maximum Lot Coverage (Exterior/Corner)	65%
Minimum Lot Width	40 feet

[Section 401.07(b)(1)]

For corner lots within the R-ZL district, the City of Bentonville requires the minimum lot width to be 20% larger than the width required for interior lots [Section 401.07(b)(3)].

Height Limits

The City of Bentonville regulates the vertical scale of developments in the R-ZL district to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential neighborhoods.

District	Maximum Height Allowed
R-ZL: Zero Lot Line	36 feet

[Section 401.07(d)(1)]

Accessory Structure Setbacks

In the R-ZL district, accessory structures (such as sheds or detached garages) must follow independent setback rules based on their size.

Building footprint ≤ 720 sq. ft.: Requires a 7-foot side setback and a 7-foot rear setback.
Building footprint > 720 sq. ft.: Requires setbacks as defined by the underlying R-ZL district (12 feet for the side and 25 feet for the rear).
Front Setback: Accessory structures must be located behind the front building line of the primary structure [Section 601.01(d)].

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