Off-Street Parking Requirements for the A-1 Agricultural District in Bentonville

Residential projects within the A-1: Agricultural district of the City of Bentonville typically require two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit, though accessory dwelling units require no additional spaces. Commercial and non-residential uses allowed in the A-1: Agricultural district, such as retail businesses or religious facilities, must provide parking based on square footage or seating capacity, with standard stalls measuring nine feet by nineteen feet. All parking areas in the City of Bentonville must be paved with a sealed surface unless specifically approved as part of a low-impact development [Section 501.07].

General Applicability and Surfacing

The City of Bentonville requires adequate off-street parking and loading for every use of land within the corporate limits. For any new construction, expansion, or change of use within the A-1: Agricultural district, parking must be provided in accordance with the standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance [Section 501.01].

In the A-1: Agricultural district, all off-street parking areas must be paved with a sealed surface pavement. An exception exists for construction approved by the City Engineer as part of a low-impact development (LID) [Section 501.07]. Parking lots must be maintained to prevent dust and must be arranged to dispose of surface water accumulated in the area [Section 501.07].

Residential Parking Ratios in the A-1 District

Residential uses permitted in the A-1: Agricultural district include single-family dwellings, modular homes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The City of Bentonville establishes the following requirements:

Land Use	Parking Ratio
Single-Family Dwelling	2 spaces per dwelling unit
Modular Dwelling	2 spaces per dwelling unit
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)	0 additional spaces required; 1 maximum allowed

Note on ADUs: While no additional parking is required for an ADU in the A-1: Agricultural district, a maximum of one additional off-street space may be provided, and if provided, it must be paved [Section 601.02(f)].

Commercial and Institutional Parking Ratios in the A-1 District

The A-1: Agricultural district allows for several non-residential uses either by right or via a conditional use permit. The following ratios apply to common commercial or institutional projects found in this district:

Land Use	Parking Ratio
General Business and Retail Sales	1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area (up to 10,000 sq. ft.)
Medical Clinics / Animal Clinics	1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area
Church Sanctuary / Religious Facility	1 space for each 4 seats (based on max capacity)
Nursery, Kindergarten, Day-Care	1 space per 500 sq. ft. of net floor area + 1 per employee
Public Assembly (Auditoriums/Arenas)	1 space for each 4 seats

For retail or business structures in the A-1: Agricultural district exceeding 10,000 square feet, the City of Bentonville applies a graduated reduction in the required parking for the remaining net floor area (e.g., 95% of the requirement for 10,001–20,000 sq. ft.) [Section 501.06(f)].

Design and Dimensional Standards

Standard parking spaces in the A-1: Agricultural district must be rectangular. Single-family and duplex structures are exempt from these specific dimensional requirements, but they apply to all other developments [Section 501.02(d)].

Parking Angle	Stall Width (ft.)	Stall Depth (ft.)	Maneuvering Area (ft.)
90° (Standard)	9	19	24
60° Angle	10.4	21	18
45° Angle	12.7	19.8	13
30° Angle	18	17.3	11
Parallel	9	22	11

Location and Access

Distance: Off-street parking must be located within 200 feet of the structure it serves [Section 501.03(a)].
Drive Width: Access drives leading from the street to the parking area must be at least 10 feet wide for dwellings and at least 15 feet wide for all other cases [Section 501.02(b)].

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