C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Zoning in Bentonville

The C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district in the City of Bentonville is established to provide convenience goods and personal services to residents in surrounding neighborhoods while maintaining a scale and character compatible with residential development. Development within the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district is limited to a maximum building height of 40 feet and requires a minimum lot area of 7,000 square feet [Section 401.08]. All structures and signage must be designed to harmonize with the bulk and architectural form of the nearby residential areas to prevent visual blight [Section 401.08(a)(2)].

Allowed Primary Uses

In Bentonville, the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial designation allows a variety of service-oriented and retail uses. These are categorized into uses permitted by right and those requiring a conditional use permit.

Uses Permitted by Right

The following uses are allowed by right in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district, provided they meet standard building and safety codes [Section 401.05(b)]:

Retail and Dining: General retail stores, artisan shops, bakeries, restaurants (without drive-throughs), microbrewery-restaurants, pharmacies, and the packaged sale of beer, wine, and spirits [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Professional Services: Offices, financial institutions, copy services, and personal services such as barber shops or beauty salons [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Medical Services: Doctor offices (limited to four primary practitioners), urgent care clinics, and medical laboratories [Section 201.02, Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Community and Civic: Libraries, museums, aquariums, community centers, educational facilities, religious facilities (excluding those in R-districts), and public safety services [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Other Services: Animal clinics (for domestic pets), funeral homes, governmental service facilities, postal services, and household repair services [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Transportation and Utilities: Principal use parking facilities, utility facilities, and wireless communication facilities (cell towers) [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].

Conditional Uses

Certain uses are permitted within the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district only after review and approval by the Bentonville Planning Commission. These uses must demonstrate they will not be inimical to the public interest [Section 301.06]:

Urban farms [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Type B home occupations [Section 601.12].
Indoor commercial recreation or entertainment facilities [Section 201.02].
Event centers [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Temporary uses of a non-residential nature [Section 601.25].

Accessory Uses

Accessory uses in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district must be subordinate to the principal use on the lot. These include [Section 401.05(d)]:

Accessory dwelling units (primarily for caretakers or watchmen) [Section 601.02].
Type A home occupations [Section 601.12].
Small wind energy systems and solar energy systems [Section 601.24, Section 601.26].
Non-residential accessory buildings [Section 601.01].
Unattended donation boxes [Section 601.34].

Prohibited Uses

Any use not explicitly listed as permitted or conditional in the Table of Uses for the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district is prohibited [Section 401.05(e)]. Notable prohibited uses in this district include:

Industrial: Intensive industrial operations, light industrial, salvage yards, and slaughterhouses [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
High-Impact Commercial: Automobile or equipment auctions, car washes, gas stations, and heavy equipment sales/rentals [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Adult Oriented: Sexually oriented businesses (which are restricted solely to the C-2 district) [Section 601.22].
Marijuana Facilities: Both medical marijuana cultivation facilities and dispensaries are not permitted in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district [Section 401.05 Table of Uses].
Specific Dining: Restaurants with drive-in or drive-through service are excluded from this district to maintain neighborhood character [Section 201.02].

Development Standards

Bentonville enforces specific bulk, area, and setback requirements for the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district to ensure proper transition between commercial and residential zones.

Lot and Area Standards

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	7,000 square feet
Minimum Lot Width	70 feet
Maximum Lot Coverage (Interior/Corner)	50%
Maximum Building Height	40 feet

Minimum Setback Requirements

Setbacks in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district vary based on the proximity to residential districts and the location of parking [Section 401.08(c)]:

Setback Type	Requirement
Front Setback (Parking in front)	50 feet
Front Setback (No parking in front)	20 feet
Side Setback (Adjacent to non-residential)	7 feet
Side Setback (Adjacent to residential)	15 feet
Rear Setback (Adjacent to non-residential)	20 feet
Rear Setback (Adjacent to residential)	25 feet

Off-Street Parking Requirements

Parking in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial district must be provided according to the specific use. Some general ratios for common C-1 uses include [Section 501.06]:

Use Category	Parking Ratio
Retail / General Business	1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area
Business/Professional Office	1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area
Medical Clinic	1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area
Restaurant	1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) + 1 per employee
Personal Service Establishments	1 space per employee + 1 space per station

Sections Cited

ARTICLE 201 DEFINITIONS
Sec 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
Sec 301.06 Conditional Uses
Sec 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
Sec 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
Sec 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
Sec 601.01 Accessory Structures
Sec 601.02 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Sec 601.12 Home Occupations
Sec 601.22 Sexually Oriented Business
Sec 601.24 Solar Energy Systems
Sec 601.25 Temporary Uses And Structures
Sec 601.26 Wind Energy System (WES), Small
Sec 601.34 Unattended Donation Boxes