Off-Street Parking Standards for the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential District

Residential projects within the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district in the City of Bentonville are generally required to provide one off-street parking space per dwelling unit, which may be fulfilled through on-site, on-street, or shared parking agreements. Specific building types, such as Cottage Courts, have unique ratios ranging from 1 to 1.5 spaces per unit based on the square footage of the dwelling. All surface parking in the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district must be situated at the side or rear of the primary building to ensure that vehicle movements do not interrupt the pedestrian character of the front streetscape.

General Residential Parking Requirements

In the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district, the City of Bentonville mandates a reduced parking ratio compared to more suburban residential zones. This standard is intended to support the traditional urban design and walkable nature of the downtown area [Sec 401.07-B].

Use Type	Minimum Parking Requirement
General Residential (All Types)	1 space per dwelling unit
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)	No additional spaces required; maximum of 1 space may be provided

Residential parking in the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district can be achieved via on-site parking, on-street parking, or a shared parking agreement [Sec 501.06(e)(1)a]. If a project is mixed-use, parking must be clearly marked to distinguish resident parking from employee or customer parking [Sec 501.06(e)(1)b].

Specific Residential Building Types: Cottage Courts

The DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district explicitly allows "Cottage Court" developments [Sec 401.07-B(c)(1)]. These developments follow a sliding scale for parking based on the size of the individual units [Sec 601.35(g)].

Unit Size (Square Feet)	Minimum Parking Requirement
1,250 sq. ft. or less	1.0 parking space per unit
Greater than 1,250 sq. ft.	1.5 parking spaces per unit

Cottage Court parking in the City of Bentonville must be located inside a detached structure or screened from direct street view by street facades, garage doors, or fencing and landscaping [Sec 601.35(g)(2)].

Commercial and Non-Residential Parking Requirements

While the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district is predominantly residential, any permitted non-residential or institutional uses must adhere to the City of Bentonville’s standard parking schedule [Sec 501.06(f)].

Use Category	Parking Ratio
Medical Clinics	1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor space
Business/Professional Offices	1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor space
General Business and Retail Sales	1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area
Church Sanctuary	1 space per 4 seats (based on max capacity)
Day Care Centers	1 space per 500 sq. ft. and 1 space per employee

Note: For structures larger than 10,000 square feet, the City of Bentonville allows for a percentage reduction in the required parking for the remaining net floor area (ranging from 95% down to 80% as the square footage increases) [Sec 501.06(f)].

Parking Location and Design Standards

The City of Bentonville applies strict placement rules for parking facilities in the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district to maintain the aesthetic of the downtown area [Sec 501.06(e)(1)].

• Placement: Surface parking must be located at the side or the rear of the building. This is designed to prevent exiting and entering vehicles from interrupting pedestrian movement at the front of the building [Sec 501.06(e)(1)c].
• Alleys: If the property is served by an alley, the alley must remain clear and passable at all times [Sec 501.06(e)(1)d].
• Joint Facilities: The City of Bentonville encourages shared parking access and facilities where two or more establishments can share spaces because their peak demands occur at different times [Sec 501.06(e)(2)].
• Setbacks: Off-street parking lots in the DN-1: Downtown Low-Density Residential district must be located to the rear or side of the primary building [Sec 501.03(c)].

Sections Cited

• Sec 401.07-B Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts Regulations
• Sec 501.03 Location Of Off-Street Parking
• Sec 501.05 Accessibility
• Sec 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
• Sec 601.02 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Sec 601.35 Cottage Courts