Drive-Through Business Regulations in the City of Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, drive-through businesses are primarily permitted in the C-2 General Commercial District by right and in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District via a Conditional Use Permit. These establishments are strictly defined by their reliance on service windows and driveway approaches, and they are prohibited from utilizing drive-up windows for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. All drive-through facilities must comply with specific stacking space dimensions to ensure efficient traffic flow and safety.
Permitted Zoning Districts
The City of Bentonville regulates the location of drive-through businesses through the official Table of Uses. While many districts allow standard commercial activity, the specific "Drive-through" component is restricted to specific commercial zones to mitigate impacts on traffic and neighborhood character.
| Zoning District | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial | Conditional Use Permit (C) Required |
| C-2 General Commercial | Permitted by Right (●) |
| C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial | Prohibited |
| DC Downtown Core | Prohibited |
| DE Downtown Edge | Prohibited |
| All Residential (R) Districts | Prohibited |
| All Industrial (I) Districts | Prohibited |
As specified in the Bentonville Zoning Code, the Planning Commission cannot authorize a drive-through as a conditional use in any district where it is not explicitly listed as a permitted or conditional use in the Table of Uses [Sec 301.06].
Definitions and General Restrictions
The City of Bentonville provides distinct definitions for drive-through operations to distinguish them from standard retail or indoor dining establishments.
Drive-Through Defined
A Drive-Through is defined as a business establishment with a retail or service character dependent on providing a window and a driveway approach to serve motor vehicles. This allows patrons to take and deliver orders without exiting their vehicles [Sec 201.02].
Specific Use Definitions
- Restaurant, Drive-through: A restaurant providing a driveway approach and window for taking/delivering orders while patrons are in a motor vehicle [Sec 201.02].
- Restaurant (Standard): The standard definition of a restaurant in the City of Bentonville specifically excludes drive-in or drive-through services, which are regulated as separate uses [Sec 201.02].
Alcohol Sales Prohibition
Regardless of the zoning district, the City of Bentonville strictly prohibits drive-up windows for any business engaged in the retail sale of beer, wine, or spirits for off-site consumption [Sec 601.29].
Technical Standards and Stacking Requirements
All drive-through commercial facilities in the City of Bentonville must provide adequate off-street stacking spaces to prevent vehicle idling from interfering with public rights-of-way. These requirements are in addition to standard off-street parking ratios [Sec 501.06].
| Standard Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Stacking Space Quantity | Required for each service window |
| Stacking Space Width | 10 feet minimum |
| Stacking Space Length | 20 feet minimum |
Conditional Use Requirements (C-1 District)
In the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, a drive-through is only allowed if the applicant obtains a Conditional Use Permit from the Bentonville Planning Commission. The Commission evaluates the request based on several standards, including:
- Protection of public health, safety, and welfare.
- Compatibility with nearby area properties.
- Adequacy of ingress, egress, and pedestrian ways.
- Mitigation of noxious emissions such as lighting, noise, and glare [Sec 301.06].
Sections Cited
- Article 201 Definitions (Sec 201.02)
- Article 301 Administration and Enforcement (Sec 301.06)
- Article 401 Zoning District Regulations (Sec 401.05)
- Article 501 Off-Street Parking and Loading (Sec 501.06)
- Article 601 Use Regulations (Sec 601.29)