Off-Street Parking Requirements for the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial District
In the City of Bentonville C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district, development projects must adhere to specific parking ratios, such as one space per 250 square feet of net floor area for retail uses and two spaces per unit for single-family residential dwellings. Parking areas in the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district are subject to a substantial 50-foot front setback if parking is positioned in front of the primary building, and all lots must be paved with a sealed surface.
Required Parking Ratios
The City of Bentonville calculates parking requirements based on the "net floor area," which excludes halls, lobbies, stairways, and areas used for building maintenance or utilities [Sec 501.06(a)]. For any use not explicitly listed in the code, the Planning Commission determines the required parking based on projected demand [Sec 501.06(b)].
Commercial Land Use Ratios
Commercial projects within the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district must provide parking according to the following schedule:
| Land Use Type | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Business and Retail Sales | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area (up to 10,000 sq. ft.) |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) + 1 space per employee (largest shift) |
| Medical Clinics | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Business / Professional Office | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Personal Service (Barber, Beauty, etc.) | 1 space per employee plus 1 space per station |
| Automotive Services | 5 spaces plus 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of net building area |
| Banks / Financial Institutions | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
Note: For retail and office structures in the City of Bentonville exceeding 10,000 square feet, the code allows for a graduated percentage reduction in the total required spaces for the remaining floor area (e.g., 95% for area between 10,001–20,000 sq. ft.) [Sec 501.06(f)].
Residential Land Use Ratios
While the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district is primarily intended for commercial activity, any residential component or existing residential use must meet these standards:
| Residential Use Type | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Two-Family (Duplex) / Patio Home | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Dwelling | 3 spaces for each two dwelling units |
| Bed and Breakfast | 2 spaces for the dwelling plus 1 space per guest room |
Locational and Setback Requirements
The City of Bentonville mandates that off-street parking for the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district be located within 200 feet of the structure it serves [Sec 501.03(a)]. Additionally, the district imposes specific setbacks to ensure the neighborhood character is maintained.
| Boundary Condition | Minimum Setback with Parking in Front | Minimum Setback with No Parking in Front |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 50 feet | 20 feet |
| Side Yard (Adjacent to Residential) | 15 feet | 15 feet |
| Side Yard (Adjacent to Non-Residential) | 7 feet | 7 feet |
| Rear Yard (Adjacent to Residential) | 25 feet | 25 feet |
| Rear Yard (Adjacent to Non-Residential) | 20 feet | 20 feet |
Design and Dimensional Standards
The City of Bentonville requires all parking spaces to meet standard dimensions unless angles are utilized. Single-family and duplex structures are exempt from these specific dimensional requirements [Sec 501.02(d)].
| Parking Angle | Width (ft.) | 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 |
Surfacing and Accessibility
- Paving: All off-street parking areas in the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district must be paved with a sealed surface pavement to prevent dust [Sec 501.07].
- ADA Compliance: The City of Bentonville requires a minimum number of accessible spaces based on the total lot capacity (e.g., 1 space for lots with 1–25 total spaces) [Sec 501.05].
- Access Drives: Access drives leading from the street to the parking area must be at least 15 feet wide for commercial uses in the C-1: Neighborhood Commercial district [Sec 501.02(b)].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.08: Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.01: Applicability
- Section 501.02: Parking Dimensions
- Section 501.03: Location of Off-Street Parking
- Section 501.05: Accessibility
- Section 501.06: Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 501.07: Surfacing of Parking Lots
- Section 601.18: Residential in Commercial District; Existing