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Off-Street Parking Requirements for the I-1 Light Industrial District in Bentonville

Jurisdiction: BentonvilleCode Version: December 9, 2025

In the City of Bentonville I-1: Light Industrial district, off-street parking must be provided for every building based on specific land-use ratios, such as one space per 600 square feet for manufacturing and assembly. Development in the I-1: Light Industrial district requires a substantial 75-foot front setback if parking is located in front of the building, and all parking areas must be paved with a sealed surface to prevent dust. Residential use in this district is strictly limited to caretaker dwellings, which do not require additional parking spaces beyond those provided for the primary facility.

District Specific Layout and Dimensional Standards

The City of Bentonville imposes specific setback requirements on the I-1: Light Industrial district that are contingent upon the placement of off-street parking. These requirements ensure adequate separation from the public right-of-way and adjacent districts.

Feature Requirement in I-1: Light Industrial District
Front Setback (With parking in front) 75 feet
Front Setback (Without parking in front) 30 feet
Side Setback (Adjacent to Residential) 75 feet
Side Setback (Adjacent to Non-residential) 30 feet
Rear Setback (Adjacent to Residential) 75 feet
Rear Setback (Adjacent to Non-residential) 50 feet
Standard Parking Space Size 9 feet by 19 feet
Surfacing Paved with a sealed surface (unless LID approved)

[Sec 401.09(c)(1)], [Sec 501.02(a)], [Sec 501.07]

Residential Parking Requirements

Residential uses are generally prohibited in the I-1: Light Industrial district, with the primary exception being "Caretaker only" Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Under the City of Bentonville regulations, an ADU in the I-1: Light Industrial district must be used solely for a watchman, caretaker, or custodian of the facility [Sec 601.02(b)(2)].

  • Parking Ratio: No additional parking spaces are required for an ADU. However, a maximum of one additional off-street parking space may be provided if it is paved [Sec 601.02(f)].
  • General Residential (If permitted by right or PUD): If a residential project were authorized, the standard City of Bentonville ratio is 2 spaces per dwelling unit for single-family or duplex structures [Sec 501.06(f)].

Commercial and Office Parking Requirements

The I-1: Light Industrial district is designed to accommodate general offices and specific commercial services accessory to industrial operations [Sec 401.09(a)(2)]. The number of spaces is determined by the net floor area of the establishment.

Land Use Type Parking Space Ratio (City of Bentonville)
Business and Professional Office 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area
Manufacturing, Processing, Wholesaling 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of net floor area
Warehouse and Storage 5 spaces + 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. (up to 50k sq. ft.)
General Business / Retail Sales 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area
Animal Clinic 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area (standard clinic ratio)

[Sec 501.06(f)]

Reductions for Large Commercial Projects

For commercial or office structures in the I-1: Light Industrial district that exceed 10,000 square feet, the City of Bentonville allows a graduated reduction in the required parking for the portion of the building exceeding that threshold:

  • 10,001—20,000 sq. ft.: 95% of the standard requirement.
  • 20,001—30,000 sq. ft.: 90% of the standard requirement.
  • 30,001—40,000 sq. ft.: 85% of the standard requirement.
  • 40,000 sq. ft. and up: 80% of the standard requirement.

[Sec 501.06(f)]

General Compliance and Maintenance

All projects in the I-1: Light Industrial district must adhere to the following general standards:

  1. Independent Compliance: Parking spaces required for one building cannot be counted toward the requirements of another building unless a joint parking agreement is established [Sec 501.01(c)].
  2. Accessibility: All parking lots must provide a minimum number of accessible spaces for persons with disabilities as required by the ADA [Sec 501.05].
  3. Landscaping and Screening: Parking areas in the I-1: Light Industrial district must be screened from any adjacent residential property by an opaque fence or wall at least eight feet in height [Sec 401.09(e)(1)(c)].
  4. Loading: Nonresidential buildings in the I-1: Light Industrial district must provide at least one off-street loading space (10' x 35' x 14' high) [Sec 501.10].

Sections Cited

  • Sec 401.09 Industrial (I) Districts Regulations
  • Sec 501.01 Applicability
  • Sec 501.02 Parking Dimensions
  • Sec 501.05 Accessibility
  • Sec 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
  • Sec 501.07 Surfacing Of Parking Lots
  • Sec 501.10 Off-Street Loading
  • Sec 601.02 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

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