C-2: General Commercial District Regulations for the City of Bentonville
The C-2: General Commercial district serves as the least restrictive commercial zone in the City of Bentonville, specifically designed to support high-traffic businesses and services along local arterial streets for the benefit of highway travelers and the general public. While the district permits a vast array of retail, office, and light manufacturing activities by right, it strictly prohibits most residential dwelling types and requires a conditional use permit for high-impact activities such as sexually oriented businesses or outdoor amusement parks. Development within the C-2: General Commercial district is governed by a maximum building height of 60 feet and a minimum lot area of 7,000 square feet [Section 401.08].
District Purpose and Intent
In the City of Bentonville, the C-2: General Commercial designation is intended to congregate intensive commercial uses on local arterial streets. Its primary objective is to minimize disruptions to through traffic while providing sufficient and appropriate space for planned commercial developments, including central shopping districts and regional centers [Section 401.08(a)].
Allowed and Prohibited Uses
Uses Allowed by Right
The following uses are permitted by right in the C-2: General Commercial district, provided they meet the standard requirements of the City of Bentonville [Section 401.05]:
- Commercial & Retail: General retail stores, bakeries, restaurants (including drive-in and drive-through), bars/lounges, pharmacies, artisan shops, and banks.
- Automotive & Equipment: Auto repair shops, car washes, gas stations, and vehicle sales or rentals.
- Offices & Services: Professional offices, medical clinics, hospitals, funeral homes, child care centers (licensed), and personal services (e.g., barber shops).
- Public & Institutional: Government service facilities, libraries, museums, community centers, and religious facilities.
- Recreation: Indoor commercial recreation facilities, theaters, bowling alleys, and country clubs.
- Industrial & Wholesale: Light industrial uses, warehousing, wholesaling, and research laboratories.
Conditional Uses
The City of Bentonville Planning Commission may approve the following uses within the C-2: General Commercial district if they meet specific criteria and obtain a conditional use permit [Section 401.05; Section 401.06]:
- Sexually oriented businesses (subject to separation requirements in Section 601.22).
- Outdoor commercial recreation or entertainment facilities.
- Outdoor vendor parks.
- Mining operations.
- Large-scale wind energy systems.
- Agricultural product processing or agriculture-related businesses.
Prohibited Uses
The City of Bentonville expressly prohibits the following uses within the C-2: General Commercial district to maintain the commercial integrity of the zone [Section 401.05]:
- Residential: Single-family, two-family, multi-family, cottage courts, and manufactured home dwellings.
- Industrial: Intensive industrial uses, slaughterhouses, and bulk storage of highly flammable materials.
- Specialized: Livestock markets, salvage yards, and correctional facilities or jails.
Development Standards for C-2: General Commercial
All construction and land use in the C-2: General Commercial district must adhere to specific bulk, area, and height standards established by the City of Bentonville.
Lot and Area Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 7,000 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 70 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage (Interior Lot) | 60% |
| Maximum Lot Coverage (Corner Lot) | 60% |
| Maximum Building Height | 60 feet |
[Section 401.08(b); Section 401.08(d)]
Minimum Setback Requirements
| Yard Type | Setback (Parking in Front) | Setback (No Parking in Front) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 50 feet | 20 feet |
| Side Yard (Adj. to non-residential) | 7 feet | 7 feet |
| Side Yard (Adj. to residential) | 30 feet | 30 feet |
| Rear Yard (Adj. to non-residential) | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Rear Yard (Adj. to residential) | 30 feet | 30 feet |
[Section 401.08(c)]
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City of Bentonville requires adequate off-street parking for all uses within the C-2: General Commercial district. Ratios are determined by the specific type of establishment [Section 501.06].
| Land Use | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Business and Retail Sales | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area (up to 10,000 sq. ft.) |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) + 1 space per employee on largest shift |
| Medical Clinics | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Business/Professional Offices | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Manufacturing/Wholesaling | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per guest room + additional spaces for employees/meeting rooms |
[Section 501.06(f)]
Special Regulations for C-2
- Sexually Oriented Businesses: These are only allowed in the C-2: General Commercial district and must be located at least 660 feet away from churches, schools, residential districts, public parks, and hospitals [Section 601.22].
- Mini-Warehouse Storage: In C-2: General Commercial, no more than 10% of such structures may be leased to a single lessee without permission from the Board of Adjustment [Section 601.14].
- Alcohol Sales: Retail sales of beer, wine, and spirits for off-site consumption are permitted in the C-2: General Commercial district, provided they are not located within 500 feet of a city park or trail [Section 601.29].
Sections Cited
- Sec 401.02 Classification Of Districts
- 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 601.14 Mini-Warehouse Storage
- Sec 601.22 Sexually Oriented Business
- Sec 601.29 Alcohol Sales