Home Occupations and Businesses in Bentonville Residences
Residents in the City of Bentonville may operate a home business, provided the activity is clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of the property. The City of Bentonville classifies these activities as "Home Occupations" and divides them into Type A (approved administratively) and Type B (requiring a conditional use permit), both of which prohibit the employment of non-residents [Section 601.12]. Specific residential business types, such as kennels, vehicle sales, and eating establishments, are strictly prohibited within the City of Bentonville [Section 601.12(d)].
General Definition
In the City of Bentonville, a "Home-based work" or home occupation is defined as any occupation or business conducted by a resident within their home. To qualify, the work must be secondary to the use of the structure as a residential dwelling [Section 201.02].
Type A Home Occupations
Type A home occupations are businesses that meet specific, low-impact criteria and can be approved administratively by City of Bentonville staff. These typically include office-based work or small-scale artistic endeavors [Section 601.12(a)].
Standards for Type A Home Occupations
To operate as a Type A home occupation in the City of Bentonville, the resident must adhere to the following technical standards:
| Requirement Category | City of Bentonville Standard |
|---|---|
| Location | Must be located completely within the principal dwelling unit. |
| Personnel | Solely operated by owners/occupants; no non-resident employees. |
| Floor Area Limit | May not occupy more than 25% of the gross habitable ground floor area. |
| External Appearance | No alterations to the external residential appearance of the unit. |
| Storage | No display of merchandise or outside storage of equipment/materials. |
| Signage | Max one non-illuminated sign, flush-mounted, max 2 square feet. |
| Parking | No more than one customer vehicle parked at the site at a time. |
| Manufacturing | No external or visible manufacturing of goods on-site. |
| Impacts | No noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odors detectable outside the unit. |
Type B Home Occupations
If a proposed business in the City of Bentonville does not meet the strict requirements of Type A—or if the nature of the business is potentially unsuitable for a residential area—it is classified as a Type B home occupation. These require approval from the Bentonville Planning Commission through a conditional use procedure [Section 601.12(b)].
The Bentonville Planning Commission evaluates Type B requests to ensure the business will not negatively impact the safety, ambiance, or character of the neighborhood. Like Type A, Type B occupations in the City of Bentonville are prohibited from employing any non-resident persons [Section 601.12(b)(5)].
Permitted and Prohibited Business Examples
The City of Bentonville provides specific guidance on which types of businesses are generally acceptable and which are forbidden in residential districts.
Acceptable Examples
- Administrative/Professional: Work conducted primarily via telephone, computer, or mail [Section 601.12(c)].
- Artistic Studios: Creating handicrafts or objects of art [Section 601.12(c)].
- Personal Services: Dressmaking, apparel alterations, or a barber/beauty shop limited to one chair [Section 601.12(c)].
- Consultants: Independent consultants (e.g., direct sales or home-party marketers) [Section 601.12(c)].
- Home Child Care: Care for 1 to 5 children is Type A; 6 to 16 children is Type B [Section 601.12(c)].
Prohibited Home Businesses
The following uses are expressly prohibited as home occupations in the City of Bentonville:
- Bed and Breakfast establishments (these are regulated separately under Section 601.05).
- Eating and drinking establishments.
- Kennels.
- Commercial sales or leasing of vehicles.
- Rest homes.
- Clinics, doctor, or dentist offices.
- Any use requiring a building code upgrade from residential to commercial standards.
- Any child care operation caring for more than 16 children [Section 601.12(d)].
Child Care as a Home Occupation
Residential child care is specifically regulated based on the number of children served. A "Registered Child Care Family Home" in the City of Bentonville handles 5 or fewer children and must meet Type A requirements [Section 601.07(a)]. A "Licensed Child Care Family Home" handles 6 to 16 children, is considered a Type B occupation, and requires a conditional use permit and a Fire Department inspection [Section 601.07(b)].
Sections Cited
- Section 201.02 - Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Section 601.05 - Bed And Breakfast
- Section 601.07 - Child Care
- Section 601.12 - Home Occupations