Guide to the R-O: Residential Office District in Bentonville, Arkansas
The R-O: Residential Office district in Bentonville serves as a transition zone between purely residential neighborhoods and commercial areas, permitting a mix of professional offices and single-family or two-family dwellings. Developments in the Bentonville R-O district are subject to a 40-foot maximum building height and minimum lot sizes ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 square feet. This district specifically accommodates professional services such as medical clinics and administrative offices while maintaining a scale compatible with residential environments.
Purpose and General Character
The R-O: Residential Office district is established by the City of Bentonville to provide areas for offices without strict limitations on the nature or size of the office, provided they are integrated with community facilities and compatible residential uses [Section 401.07(a)(9)]. The general character of the R-O district is transitional; it is intended for locations where the continuation of purely residential activity is no longer practical due to the proximity of nonresidential uses, yet full commercial development is not desired [Section 401.07(a)(9)].
The district balances the needs of professional practitioners—such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants—with the preservation of a residential aesthetic. It acts as a buffer zone, preventing the direct encroachment of intensive commercial activities into low-density residential areas [Section 401.07(a)(9)].
Permitted Land Uses
The Bentonville R-O district allows for a variety of residential, office, and institutional uses. Uses are classified as allowed by right (●), allowed as an accessory use (A), or allowed via a conditional use permit (C).
Residential and Home-Based Uses
- Single-Family Dwellings: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Two-Family Dwellings: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Allowed as an accessory use [Section 401.05].
- Home Occupations: Type A is allowed as an accessory use; Type B requires a conditional use permit [Section 601.12].
- Group Homes: Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
Office and Professional Services
- General Offices: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Medical Services (Doctor Office, Urgent Care, and Laboratories): Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Financial Institutions: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Professional Offices: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Educational Facilities: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Libraries and Museums: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Public Safety Services: Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
- Religious Facilities: Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
- Child Care (Licensed Centers and Registered Family Homes): Allowed by right [Section 401.05].
Retail and Other Uses
- Artisan Shops: Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
- Bakery: Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
- General Retail: Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
- Parking Facilities (as a principal use): Allowed via conditional use permit [Section 401.05].
Development Standards
Bentonville regulates the R-O district through specific density, setback, and height requirements to ensure compatibility between office and residential structures.
Lot and Area Standards
| Building Type | Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | Min. Lot Width | Max. Lot Coverage (Interior) | Max. Lot Coverage (Corner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | 6,000 | 60' | 40% | 45% |
| Two-family | 7,000 | 70' | 50% | 55% |
| All others | 6,000 | 60' | 60% | 65% |
[Section 401.07(b)(1)]
Minimum Setback Standards
| Building/Use Type | Front Setback | Interior Side | Exterior Side | Rear Setback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | 20' | 7' | 20' | 25' |
| Two-family | 20' | 10' | 20' | 25' |
| Office (parking in front) | 50' | 10' | 50' (parking side) | 25' |
| Office (no parking in front) | 20' | 10' | 20' | 25' |
[Section 401.07(c)(1)]
Height and Parking Standards
The maximum height for any structure in the Bentonville R-O district is 40 feet [Section 401.07(d)(1)].
Off-street parking must be provided according to the following ratios:
- Residential: 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Section 501.06(f)].
- Office/Professional: 1 space per 300 square feet of net floor area [Section 501.06(f)].
- Medical Clinics: 1 space per 300 square feet of net floor space [Section 501.06(f)].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.02: Classification Of Districts
- Section 401.05: Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Section 401.07: Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.06: Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 601.12: Home Occupations