Off-Street Parking Standards for the DN-4 Downtown Mixed-Use Residential District
In the DN-4: Downtown Mixed-Use Residential district of the City of Bentonville, residential developments are required to provide one parking space per dwelling unit, which may be met through on-site, on-street, or shared parking agreements. For commercial or mixed-use projects, parking must be located exclusively at the side or rear of the building to maintain the pedestrian-oriented character of the City of Bentonville’s downtown area. All non-residential uses in the DN-4 district follow the standard parking ratios based on use type, such as one space per 250 square feet for general retail and one space per 300 square feet for professional offices.
Residential Parking Ratios
For all residential development within the DN-4: Downtown Mixed-Use Residential district, the City of Bentonville mandates a specific ratio that differs from other residential zones. This standard applies to single-family, two-family, and multi-family units located within the district boundaries [Sec 501.06(e)(1)].
| Use Category | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Residential Development (All Types) | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) | No additional spaces required (max 1 optional space) |
The residential requirement in the DN-4 district may be achieved via on-site parking, on-street parking, or a shared parking agreement [Sec 501.06(e)(1)a].
Commercial and Institutional Parking Ratios
Commercial uses in the DN-4: Downtown Mixed-Use Residential district must generally be part of a mixed-use building unless the City of Bentonville Planning Commission approves a conditional use permit for a single-use commercial structure [Sec 401.07-B(c)(2)]. These uses must adhere to the standard ratios established in the City of Bentonville Zoning Code [Sec 501.06(f)].
| Commercial/Office Use | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| General Business and Retail Sales | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area (up to 10,000 sq. ft.) |
| 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 |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) + 1 space per employee |
| Personal Service Establishments | 1 space per employee + 1 space per station |
For office and retail structures larger than 10,000 square feet, the City of Bentonville applies a sliding scale reduction for the remaining net floor area (e.g., 95% of the requirement for the next 10,000 sq. ft.) [Sec 501.06(f)].
Location and Design Requirements
The City of Bentonville imposes strict placement and design standards for parking facilities in the DN-4 district to protect the urban aesthetic and pedestrian safety.
Parking Placement
- Rear or Side Loading: All off-street parking lots in the DN-4 district must be located to the rear or side of the primary building [Sec 501.03(c)].
- Pedestrian Protection: Surface parking must be situated to ensure that vehicles entering or exiting the lot do not interrupt pedestrian movement at the front of the building [Sec 501.06(e)(1)c].
- Mixed-Use Marking: In mixed-use projects, parking must be clearly marked to distinguish residential spaces from employee or customer parking [Sec 501.06(e)(1)b].
- Alley Access: Alleys utilized for parking access must remain clear and passable at all times [Sec 501.06(e)(1)d].
Standard Parking Dimensions
The following dimensions apply to all off-street parking spaces provided within the City of Bentonville, with the exception of single-family and duplex structures which are exempt from these specific dimensional requirements [Sec 501.02(d)].
| Parking Angle | Stall Width (ft.) | Stall Depth (ft.) | Maneuvering Area (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel | 9 | 22 | 11 |
| 30° Angle | 18 | 17.3 | 11 |
| 45° Angle | 12.7 | 19.8 | 13 |
| 60° Angle | 10.4 | 21 | 18 |
| 90° Angle (Standard) | 9 | 19 | 24 |
Accessible Parking Requirements (ADA)
The City of Bentonville requires all parking lots to provide a minimum number of accessible spaces for persons with disabilities based on the total parking capacity [Sec 501.05].
| Total Parking Spaces | Minimum Accessible Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| 1—25 | 1 |
| 26—50 | 2 |
| 51—75 | 3 |
| 76—100 | 4 |
| 101—150 | 5 |
Sections Cited
- Sec 401.07-B: Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts Regulations
- Sec 501.02: Parking Dimensions
- 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)