Building Height Measurement and Standards in Bentonville, Arkansas
In the City of Bentonville, building height is calculated as the vertical distance from the finished grade level to the highest point of the roof line or parapet wall, using an average grade calculation for sloped sites. While maximum heights vary by zoning district—ranging from 36 feet in low-density residential areas to 80 feet in the Downtown Core—the City of Bentonville allows certain projections like chimneys and elevator shafts to exceed these limits. In many districts, buildings may also exceed standard height maximums if the developer provides additional setbacks beyond the minimum requirements.
Methodology for Measuring Height
The City of Bentonville provides specific rules for determining the height of a structure based on the topography of the lot [Sec 401.03].
Standard (Flat) Sites
For relatively level ground, building height is measured as the vertical distance from the elevation of the finished grade level to the highest point of the roof line or the top of a parapet wall [Sec 401.03(c)(1)]. "Grade" is defined by the City of Bentonville as the top surface elevation of lawns, walks, drives, or other improved surfaces after construction or grading is complete [Sec 201.02].
Sloped Sites
On sloped sites, the City of Bentonville requires a calculation based on average elevation. Height is measured as the vertical distance from the elevation of the average of the highest and lowest finished grade levels to the highest point of the roof line or parapet wall [Sec 401.03(c)(1)].
Height Exceptions for Projections
Specific architectural and functional elements are exempt from the maximum height limits in the City of Bentonville, provided they are not used for human occupancy. These include:
- Chimneys
- Elevators and elevator bulkheads
- Poles and spires
- Tanks and towers
- Other similar projections [Sec 401.03(c)(2)]
Maximum Building Height Standards by District
The City of Bentonville establishes maximum height limits based on the specific zoning district and, in some cases, the specific building type being constructed.
| Zoning District Classification | District Name / Building Type | Maximum Height Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | A-1 Agricultural District | 40 feet |
| Residential (Low Density) | R-E, R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-ZL | 36 feet |
| Residential (High Density) | R-3, R-C2, R-C3, R-O | 40 feet |
| Residential (Multi-family) | R-4 High Density Multifamily | 50 feet |
| Downtown Neighborhood | DN-1, DN-2 (Single-family/Two-family) | 36 feet |
| Downtown Neighborhood | DN-3 (Single-family/Townhouse/Multi-family) | 40 feet |
| Downtown Neighborhood | DN-4 (Mixed-use/Commercial/Multi-family) | 50 feet |
| Commercial | C-1 Neighborhood Commercial | 40 feet |
| Commercial | C-2 General Commercial | 60 feet |
| Commercial | C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial | 60 feet |
| Downtown | DC Downtown Core | 20' min / 80' max |
| Downtown | DE Downtown Edge | 50 feet |
| Industrial | I-1 Light Industrial | 60 feet |
| Industrial | I-2 Heavy Industrial | 60 feet |
[Sources: Sec 401.06, Sec 401.07, Sec 401.07-B, Sec 401.08, Sec 401.8-B, Sec 401.09]
Increasing Height via Setback Adjustments
The City of Bentonville provides "allowance" rules that permit a building to exceed the standard maximum height if the developer increases the distance between the structure and the property lines.
Agricultural and Commercial/Industrial Rules
In the A-1 Agricultural District, as well as all Commercial (C) and Industrial (I) districts, a building or structure may exceed the maximum height if every front, side, and rear setback is increased by one additional foot for every one foot the building exceeds the height limit [Sec 401.06(b)(3)(a); Sec 401.08(d)(2); Sec 401.09(d)(2)].
Residential Rules
In most Residential (R) districts, a principal use building may exceed the maximum allowed height if an additional one foot of interior side yard setback is provided for every two feet of additional height. This specific exception does not apply to "zero lot line" buildings [Sec 401.07(d)(3)].
Specialized Height Definitions
The City of Bentonville utilizes specialized height measurements for non-building structures:
- Antenna Height: Measured from the base of the antenna support structure at grade to the highest point of the structure. If on a sloped grade, the average between the highest and lowest grades is used [Sec 201.02].
- Wireless Communication Towers: In the City of Bentonville, these are generally limited to 90 feet for a single user, 120 feet for two users, and 150 feet for three or more users [Sec 601.27(f)].
- Small Wind Energy Systems: These are generally limited to 50 feet on parcels between 1/2 and one acre, and 90 feet maximum, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission [Sec 601.26(f)].
Sections Cited
- Section 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Section 401.03 Calculations And Measurements
- Section 401.06 A-1, Agricultural District Regulations
- Section 401.07 Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.07-B Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.09 Industrial (I) Districts Regulations
- Section 601.26 Wind Energy System (WES), Small
- Section 601.27 Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF)