Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-4 High Density Multifamily Residential District in the City of Bentonville
In the R-4: High Density Multifamily Residential district, off-street parking must be provided for every use, including 1.5 spaces per unit for multifamily dwellings and specific ratios for conditional nonresidential uses like daycare centers (1 space per 500 square feet). All parking lots in the City of Bentonville must be paved with a sealed surface and adhere to strict dimensional standards for parking stalls and maneuvering areas unless the structure is a single-family or duplex unit.
General Applicability
In the City of Bentonville, off-street parking and loading requirements apply to all zoning districts, including the R-4: High Density Multifamily Residential district. These facilities must be provided for any new construction, expansion of an existing building, or change in the land's use [Sec 501.01].
Parking spaces must be maintained as long as the building or use remains. Existing spaces cannot be counted toward the requirements of a new addition or structure [Sec 501.01].
Residential Parking Ratios
For residential developments within the R-4: High Density Multifamily Residential district, the City of Bentonville mandates the following minimum parking ratios:
| Land Use Type | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Two-Family Dwelling (Duplex) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Multi-Family Dwelling | 3 spaces for each two dwelling units (1.5 per unit) |
| Cottage Court (Units $\le$ 1,250 sf) | 1 space per unit |
| Cottage Court (Units > 1,250 sf) | 1.5 spaces per unit |
| Manufactured Home Subdivision | 2 spaces per manufactured home |
[Sec 501.06, Sec 601.35]
Nonresidential and Conditional Use Parking Ratios
While the R-4: High Density Multifamily Residential district is primarily for high-density housing, certain nonresidential or semi-commercial uses are allowed conditionally. The City of Bentonville requires these projects to meet the following standards:
| Land Use Type | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Bed and Breakfast | 1 space per sleeping/rental unit plus 1 space for the owner |
| Nursery, Kindergarten, and Day-Care | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of net floor area plus 1 space per employee |
| Church Sanctuary | 1 space per 4 seats based on maximum seating capacity |
| Community Center | Same as Religious Facilities (1 space per 4 seats) |
[Sec 501.06, Sec 601.10]
Parking Stall and Driveway Dimensions
The City of Bentonville sets specific dimensional requirements for off-street parking based on the angle of the stall. Note that single-family and duplex structures are exempt from these specific stall dimension requirements [Sec 501.02].
| 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 |
[Sec 501.02]
Additionally, if a parking space does not abut a street or alley, a dedicated access drive must be provided. For dwellings, this drive must be at least 10 feet wide. For all other cases, the access drive must be at least 15 feet wide [Sec 501.02].
Accessibility Standards (ADA)
The City of Bentonville requires all parking lots to provide accessible spaces for persons with disabilities in accordance with the following schedule:
| Total Parking Spaces | Minimum Number of Accessible Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| 1—25 | 1 |
| 26—50 | 2 |
| 51—75 | 3 |
| 76—100 | 4 |
| 101—150 | 5 |
| 151—200 | 6 |
| 201—300 | 7 |
| 301—400 | 8 |
| 401—500 | 9 |
| 501—1,000 | 2% of total spaces |
[Sec 501.05]
Surfacing and Maintenance
All off-street parking areas in the R-4: High Density Multifamily Residential district must be paved with a sealed surface pavement. This is required to prevent dust and facilitate the proper drainage of surface water. An exception may be granted by the City Engineer for low-impact developments. Furthermore, any parking lot in a residential district intended for more than five vehicles must undergo the Large-Scale Development review process [Sec 501.07, Sec 501.08].
Sections Cited
- Section 401.07: Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.01: Off-Street Parking Applicability
- Section 501.02: Parking Dimensions
- Section 501.05: Accessibility
- Section 501.06: Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Section 501.07: Surfacing Of Parking Lots
- Section 501.08: Off-Street Parking Lots In Residential Districts
- Section 601.10: Community Center
- Section 601.35: Cottage Courts