Off-Street Parking Standards for the I-2 Heavy Industrial District in Bentonville
In the I-2 Heavy Industrial District of Bentonville, residential development is strictly limited to caretaker-only accessory units that require no additional parking, while allowed commercial and assembly projects must provide spaces ranging from one per four seats in auditoriums to one per four occupants in event centers. All off-street parking areas within the I-2 Heavy Industrial District must be paved with a sealed surface and are subject to a significant 75-foot front setback if parking is located between the structure and the street.
General Applicability and Compliance
The City of Bentonville requires adequate off-street parking and loading for every use of land within the corporate limits. For any new construction, expansion of an existing building's capacity, or the establishment of a new use within the I-2 Heavy Industrial District, parking must be provided in accordance with the standards established in the Zoning Code [Section 501.01].
The City of Bentonville Planning Commission has the authority to make determinations for any uses not specifically listed in the parking schedule and may grant waivers on specific parking standards [Section 501.06].
Parking Ratios for Allowed Uses in the I-2 District
Residential use is highly restricted in the I-2 Heavy Industrial District. Standard single-family or multi-family housing is not permitted; however, the district allows for "Accessory Dwelling Units" (ADUs) specifically for watchmen or caretakers and allows "Group Homes" as a conditional use [Section 401.05, Section 601.02].
Commercial and industrial projects permitted in the I-2 Heavy Industrial District must provide parking based on the following ratios:
| Use Category | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Residential: Accessory Dwelling (Caretaker) | No additional spaces required; 1 paved space may be provided [Section 601.02] |
| Residential: Group Home | Determined by Planning Commission (typically 2 spaces per unit) [Section 501.06] |
| Commercial: Arena, Auditorium, or Theatre | 1 space for every 4 seats [Section 501.06] |
| Commercial: Event Center | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) plus 1 space per employee [Section 501.06] |
| Commercial: Restaurant / Microbrewery | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) plus 1 space per employee [Section 501.06] |
| Industrial: Manufacturing / Wholesaling | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of net floor area [Section 501.06] |
| Industrial: Warehouse and Storage | 5 spaces plus 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. (up to 50k sq. ft.); plus 1 per 10k sq. ft. over 50k [Section 501.06] |
Dimensional and Technical Standards
The City of Bentonville mandates specific dimensions for parking stalls and access aisles to ensure safety and maneuverability. All parking areas in the I-2 Heavy Industrial District must be maintained to prevent dust and must be paved with a sealed surface pavement, unless a low-impact development alternative is approved by the City Engineer [Section 501.07].
| Parking Angle | Stall Width (ft.) | Stall Depth (ft.) | Maneuvering Area (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90° (Standard) | 9 | 19 | 24 |
| 60° | 10.4 | 21 | 18 |
| 45° | 12.7 | 19.8 | 13 |
| 30° | 18 | 17.3 | 11 |
| Parallel | 9 | 22 | 11 |
[Section 501.02]
Setbacks and Placement Requirements
In the I-2 Heavy Industrial District, the location of parking significantly impacts the required building setbacks. If a developer chooses to place parking in the front of a structure, the front setback requirement increases substantially [Section 401.09].
| I-2 District Condition | Front Setback | Side Setback (Adj. to Residential) | Rear Setback (Adj. to Residential) |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Parking in Front | 75 feet | 75 feet | 75 feet |
| Without Parking in Front | 50 feet | 75 feet | 75 feet |
[Section 401.09(c)]
Sections Cited
- Article 401 Zoning District Regulations
- Section 401.05 Table of Uses for Zoning Districts
- Section 401.09 Industrial (I) Districts Regulations
- Article 501 Off-Street Parking and Loading
- Section 501.01 Applicability
- Section 501.02 Parking Dimensions
- Section 501.06 Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 501.07 Surfacing of Parking Lots
- Section 601.02 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)