Permitted Zoning Districts for Breweries, Taprooms, and Distilleries in Bentonville
Microbrewery-restaurants and taprooms (classified as bars or lounges) are primarily allowed by right in the General Commercial (C-2), Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3), and Downtown Core (DC) districts of the City of Bentonville. Larger production facilities for alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Light Industrial (I-1) and Heavy Industrial (I-2) districts, though any alcohol manufacturing or retail business located within 500 feet of a city-owned park or trail must obtain a Conditional Use Permit [Section 601.29].
Microbrewery-Restaurants
In the City of Bentonville, a microbrewery-restaurant is defined as an establishment where beer, malt, and hard cider are brewed and sold at retail in a restaurant setting under the same ownership and within the same building [Section 201.02].
- Permitted by Right: These establishments are allowed by right in the General Commercial (C-2) District, the Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3) District, the Light Industrial (I-1) District, and the Heavy Industrial (I-2) District [Section 401.05].
- Conditional Use: A microbrewery-restaurant requires a Conditional Use Permit in the Downtown Core (DC) District [Section 401.05].
- Accessory Use: These establishments are allowed only as an accessory use in the Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) District [Section 401.05].
Taprooms, Bars, and Lounges
Establishments where the primary activity is the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on-site, and where food service is secondary, are classified as bars, lounges, or taverns. This classification specifically excludes microbreweries where patrons are served beer produced on the premises, which are regulated separately [Section 201.02].
- Permitted by Right: Taprooms are allowed by right in the General Commercial (C-2) District, the Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3) District, and the Downtown Core (DC) District [Section 401.05].
- Conditional Use: A Conditional Use Permit is required to operate a taproom in the Residential Office (R-O) District and the Downtown Edge (DE) District [Section 401.05].
Distilleries and Industrial Production
Production-focused facilities, such as micro-distilleries or larger breweries not operating as a restaurant, fall under the category of "manufacturing and/or distribution plants for alcoholic beverages of every kind and type" [Section 601.29].
- Permitted by Right: Industrial alcohol production is allowed by right in the Light Industrial (I-1) and Heavy Industrial (I-2) districts [Section 401.05].
- Conditional Use: These facilities may be permitted in the General Commercial (C-2) District and the Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3) District via a Conditional Use Permit, particularly when the site is located within 500 feet of a city-owned park or trail [Section 401.05].
Technical Requirements and Standards
Use Permissions by District
The following table summarizes where specific alcohol-related uses are permitted within the City of Bentonville.
| Use Type | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 | DC | DE | I-1 | I-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microbrewery-Restaurant | A | ● | ● | C | — | ● | ● |
| Bar, Lounge, or Tavern | — | ● | ● | ● | C | — | — |
| Alcohol Manufacturing/Plant | — | C | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Alcohol Mfg (within 500' of park) | — | C | C | — | — | C | C |
Key: ● = Permitted by Right; C = Conditional Use Permit Required; A = Accessory Use Only; — = Prohibited.
Parking Ratios
All alcohol-related establishments must comply with the off-street parking requirements of the City of Bentonville, unless a waiver is granted by the Planning Commission [Section 501.06].
| Land Use | Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Restaurants/Microbreweries/Bars | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) plus 1 space per 1 employee (largest shift) |
| Manufacturing and Wholesaling | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| DC (Downtown Core) < 3,000 sf | None (exempt from parking requirements) |
| DC (Downtown Core) > 3,000 sf | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. |
Bulk and Area Standards
Establishments must adhere to the specific lot and height standards of their respective zoning districts.
| Standard | C-1 District | C-2 District | C-3 District | I-1 District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 7,000 sq. ft. | 7,000 sq. ft. | None | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Max. Height | 40 feet | 60 feet | 60 feet | 60 feet |
| Max. Lot Coverage | 50% | 60% | 100% | 60% |
| Min. Front Setback | 20 feet* | 20 feet* | 0 feet | 30 feet* |
*Note: Front setbacks increase to 50 feet in C-1 and C-2, and 75 feet in I-1, if parking is located in the front yard [Section 401.08, 401.09].
Sections Cited
- ARTICLE 201 DEFINITIONS (Sec 201.02)
- ARTICLE 401 ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS (Sec 401.05, 401.08, 401.8-B, 401.09)
- ARTICLE 501 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING (Sec 501.06)
- ARTICLE 601 USE REGULATIONS (Sec 601.29)