Gymnasium and Fitness Center Zoning in Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, gymnasiums and fitness centers are primarily permitted in Commercial (C-1, C-2, C-3), Downtown (DC, DE), and Residential Office (RO) districts. Small-scale gymnastics or aerobics studios without other fitness equipment are classified as Cultural Studios and are allowed by right in the RO and various Downtown Neighborhood districts, though larger indoor recreation facilities in or abutting Residential districts must maintain building separations of 100 to 200 feet [Sec 401.05, Sec 601.15].
Classification of Facilities
The City of Bentonville Zoning Code classifies fitness-related facilities into two primary categories depending on their scale and the nature of their services:
Cultural Studios
Under the City of Bentonville code, a "Cultural Studio" includes small-scale facilities that typically accommodate one group of students at a time. This specific definition explicitly includes martial arts training studios, gymnastics instruction, and aerobics and gymnastics studios, provided they contain "no other fitness facilities or equipment" [Sec 201.02].
Indoor Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Facilities
Larger gymnasiums or health clubs that provide a broader range of indoor recreational activities for a fee fall under this category. This classification includes establishments like bowling alleys and pool rooms but serves as the broader regulatory umbrella for general commercial fitness centers [Sec 201.02].
Permitted Zoning Districts
The following table outlines the permissions for these facility types across various City of Bentonville zoning districts based on the Official Table of Uses [Sec 401.05]:
| District Type | District Name | Cultural Studio (Small Studio) | Indoor Commercial Recreation (Large Gym) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | A-1 | Prohibited | Allowed by Right (●) |
| Residential Office | RO | Allowed by Right (●) | Prohibited |
| Downtown Neighborhood | DN-1, DN-2 | Allowed by Right (●) | Prohibited |
| Downtown Neighborhood | DN-3, DN-4 | Conditional Use (C) | Prohibited |
| Commercial | C-1, C-2, C-3 | Allowed by Right (●) | Allowed by Right (●) |
| Downtown Districts | DC, DE | Allowed by Right (●) | Allowed by Right (●) |
| Industrial | I-1, I-2 | Prohibited | Conditional Use (C) |
Standards for Facilities Abutting Residential Districts
When the City of Bentonville permits a gymnasium or indoor recreational facility in or abutting any Residential (R) District, specific separation requirements must be met to protect the character of the residential neighborhood.
Minimum Building Separation
For indoor facilities such as gymnasiums or indoor pools with a floor area exceeding 1,200 square feet, the City of Bentonville requires the following minimum distances from the nearest property in a Residential District [Sec 601.15]:
| Element of the Facility | Minimum Separation (Air-Conditioned) | Minimum Separation (Not Air-Conditioned) |
|---|---|---|
| Gymnasium / Indoor Facility (>1,200 sq. ft.) | 100 feet | 200 feet |
| Air-conditioning tower or compressor unit | 50 feet | N/A |
| Entrance driveway and parking | 50 feet | 50 feet |
Note: These separation requirements may be reduced to no less than 50 feet if "Type A Screening" is provided along the property line abutting the residentially zoned property [Sec 601.15].
Parking Requirements
Off-street parking in the City of Bentonville must be provided for all land uses as demand is created. Because gymnasiums and fitness centers are not explicitly listed with a specific square-footage ratio in the standard parking schedule, the City of Bentonville Planning Commission is responsible for making a specific determination of the parking demand for the proposed use [Sec 501.06(b)].
However, if a facility is classified under "Personal Service Establishments," the City of Bentonville requires one parking space for each employee plus one space per each station [Sec 501.06(f)].
Sections Cited
- Sec 201.02 - Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Sec 401.05 - Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Sec 501.06 - Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Sec 601.15 - Nonresidential Uses In Or Abutting R Districts