Off-Street Parking Standards for the DN-2 Downtown Medium-Density Residential District
In the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district of the City of Bentonville, residential developments are required to provide one off-street parking space per dwelling unit, which may be satisfied through on-site parking, on-street parking, or a shared parking agreement. Surface parking in the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district must be located at the side or rear of the primary building to ensure pedestrian movements at the front of the structure are not interrupted. The City of Bentonville requires that all alleys in this district remain clear and passable at all times to support vehicle access.
Residential Parking Requirements
The City of Bentonville provides specific parking relaxations for the Downtown Neighborhood districts compared to standard residential zones. While standard single-family dwellings in other parts of the City of Bentonville typically require two spaces per unit, the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district requires only one [Section 501.06(e)(1)a].
| Use Category | City of Bentonville Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| All Residential Dwelling Units | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Bed and Breakfast | 1 space per sleeping/rental unit, plus 1 space for the owner |
| Home Occupations (Type B) | No more than 1 customer vehicle parked in the vicinity at a time |
Commercial and Mixed-Use Parking
In the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district, primary commercial projects are highly restricted, as the district is intended to allow for increased single-family density where small lot widths are supported by alleys [Section 401.07-B(a)(2)]. However, for any non-residential uses permitted or allowed by conditional use in the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district, the City of Bentonville applies the general parking schedule [Section 501.06(f)].
| Non-Residential Use | Off-Street Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Business and Professional Office | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Medical Clinics | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Public Assembly (Auditoriums, etc.) | 1 space per four (4) seats |
| Religious Facilities (Sanctuary) | 1 space per four (4) seats based on max capacity |
Design and Location Standards
The City of Bentonville mandates strict location and design criteria for parking facilities within the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district to maintain the urban character of the neighborhood.
Parking Placement
Off-street parking lots in the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district must be located to the side or the rear of the primary building or structure [Section 501.03(c)]. This requirement is intended to prevent parking areas from dominating the streetscape and to protect the pedestrian-oriented environment [Section 501.06(e)(1)c].
Shared and On-Street Parking
The City of Bentonville encourages shared parking access and facilities where practical. In the DN-2: Downtown Medium-Density Residential district, the required parking can be achieved through:
- On-site parking: Located on the same lot as the principal use.
- On-street parking: Utilized to meet the minimum requirement if part of a shared parking agreement or specifically permitted for the project [Section 501.06(e)(1)a].
- Shared Parking Agreements: Two or more establishments may share spaces if their parking demands occur at different times. Such agreements must be submitted as part of the City of Bentonville site development review process [Section 501.06(e)(2)].
Dimensions and Accessibility
Standard parking spaces in the City of Bentonville must be 9 feet wide by 19 feet deep [Section 501.02(a)]. However, single-family and duplex structures are exempt from the specific parking dimension requirements usually applied to larger developments [Section 501.02(d)]. All parking lots must also comply with the minimum number of accessible spaces required by the ADA [Section 501.05].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.07-B Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts Regulations
- 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 601.12 Home Occupations