Hotel, Motel, and Lodging Regulations in the City of Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, hotels and motels are permitted by right in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and DC districts, while requiring a conditional use permit in the DE district. Bed and breakfast establishments are permitted by right in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and DC districts and are allowed as a conditional use in all residential and agricultural districts. Lodging developments must adhere to specific parking ratios, such as one space per guest room for hotels and two spaces per dwelling plus one per guest room for bed and breakfasts.
Permitted and Conditional Zoning Districts
The City of Bentonville classifies lodging into two primary categories based on the number of guest rooms and the nature of the occupancy.
Hotels and Motels
A "Lodging, Hotel or Motel" is defined by the City of Bentonville as a structure containing six or more guest rooms used for sleeping and customary lodging services for transient guests [Section 201.02].
- Permitted by Right: Neighborhood Commercial (C-1), General Commercial (C-2), Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3), and Downtown Core (DC).
- Allowed by Conditional Use Permit: Downtown Edge (DE) [Section 401.05].
Bed and Breakfasts
A "Lodging, Bed and Breakfast" is defined as an owner-occupied dwelling unit containing no more than five guest rooms providing short-term lodging (not to exceed 21 days) [Section 201.02].
- Permitted by Right: C-1, C-2, C-3, and DC.
- Allowed by Conditional Use Permit: Agricultural (A-1); Residential Estate (R-E); Residential districts R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-MH, R-ZL, R-O, R-C2, and R-C3; Downtown Neighborhood districts DN-1, DN-2, DN-3, and DN-4; and the Downtown Edge (DE) district [Section 401.05].
Development Standards by District
Lodging facilities in the City of Bentonville must comply with the bulk, area, and height requirements of their respective districts.
Commercial and Downtown Bulk and Height Standards
| District | Max. Height | Min. Front Setback | Min. Side Setback (Adj. to Res.) | Min. Rear Setback (Adj. to Res.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-1 | 40' | 20' (No parking in front) | 15' | 25' |
| C-2 | 60' | 20' (No parking in front) | 30' | 30' |
| C-3 | 60'* | 0' | 10' | 0' |
| DC | 80' | 20' (Max) | 0' | 0' |
| DE | 50' | 20' (Max) | 12' | 7' |
*In the C-3 district, structures may exceed 60 feet if the portion above 60 feet meets additional setback requirements of one foot for each foot of additional height [Section 401.08].
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City of Bentonville mandates specific parking ratios for all lodging uses to ensure adequate capacity.
| Land Use | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per guest room. For developments > 20 rooms, 11 parking spaces must be provided for each 10 rooms (or fraction thereof) for employees and non-guest users [Section 501.06]. |
| Bed and Breakfast | 1 space per sleeping/rental unit plus 1 space for the owner [Section 501.06]; however, specific use regulations require 2 spaces per dwelling plus 1 per guest room [Section 601.05]. |
Specific Use Regulations for Bed and Breakfasts
The City of Bentonville imposes additional restrictions on bed and breakfast establishments through Section 601.05:
- Occupancy: Must be owner-occupied, with the owner residing on-site.
- Employees: No more than two outside employees are permitted.
- Duration: Guests may stay for a maximum of five consecutive nights.
- Facilities: Individual cooking facilities in guest rooms are prohibited.
- Signage: One non-illuminated sign is permitted, not to exceed eight square feet per side and four feet in height.
- Operations: The establishment shall not operate as a restaurant, and meals may only be served to registered guests [Section 601.05].
Proximity Restrictions and Overlays
Lodging uses in the City of Bentonville may be subject to further restrictions if located within specific areas:
XNA Airport Overlay District
In Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the XNA Airport Overlay District, all noise-sensitive uses (including any type of dwelling used for lodging) must be sound attenuated to achieve a minimum of 30 decibel noise reduction from outside to indoor levels [Section 401.13].
Alcohol Sales
If a lodging establishment intends to sell alcohol, it must comply with Section 601.29. Establishments selling beer, wine, or spirits for off-site consumption are permitted by right in C-1, C-2, C-3, and DC, but any retail liquor use within 500 feet of a city-owned park or trail requires a conditional use permit [Section 601.29].
Sections Cited
- Article 101 Purpose
- Section 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Section 401.02 Classification Of Districts
- Section 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Section 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.13 Northwest Arkansas Regional (XNA) Airport Overlay District
- Section 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 601.05 Bed And Breakfast
- Section 601.29 Alcohol Sales