Permitted Zoning Districts for Professional Offices and Medical Clinics in Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, professional offices and medical doctor offices are primarily permitted by right in the General Commercial (C-2), Mixed-Use Commercial (C-3), Downtown Core (DC), Downtown Edge (DE), and Light Industrial (I-1) districts. The Residential Office (R-O) district allows professional offices by right but requires a conditional use permit for medical doctor offices. Larger medical clinics and urgent care facilities are restricted specifically to the General Commercial (C-2), Downtown Core (DC), and Downtown Edge (DE) districts.
Classification of Office and Medical Uses
The Bentonville Zoning Code distinguishes between several types of office and medical facilities to determine where they may be located within the municipality.
Professional Offices
The term "Office" refers to facilities occupied by businesses engaged in information processing, professional services, or the production of intellectual property. In the City of Bentonville, this definition explicitly includes counseling services provided by professionals other than medical doctors or psychiatrists [Sec 201.02].
Medical Services, Doctor Office
This classification applies to outpatient facilities that accommodate no more than four licensed primary practitioners (such as doctors, chiropractors, or psychiatrists), excluding nursing staff. In the City of Bentonville, any facility with five or more licensed practitioners is automatically reclassified as a "Medical Services - Clinic, Urgent Care" [Sec 201.02].
Medical Services, Clinic and Urgent Care
These are facilities (other than hospitals) providing medical, mental health, or surgical services on an outpatient basis that utilize four or more licensed practitioners and/or medical specialties [Sec 201.02].
Permitted Districts by Right and Conditional Use
The following table outlines the specific zoning districts in the City of Bentonville where these uses are allowed. In the table below, "●" indicates the use is permitted by right, "C" indicates a conditional use permit is required, and "A" indicates the use is allowed only as an accessory use (typically integrated into a mixed-use building).
Table of Permitted Districts for Office and Medical Uses
| Zoning District | Office (General/Prof.) | Medical Services (Doctor Office) | Medical Services (Clinic/Urgent Care) |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-O (Residential Office) | ● | C | |
| DN-3 (Downtown High Density Res.) | A | A | |
| DN-4 (Downtown Mixed-Use Res.) | A | A | |
| C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) | ● | ||
| C-2 (General Commercial) | ● | ● | ● |
| C-3 (Mixed-Use Commercial) | ● | ● | |
| DC (Downtown Core) | ● | ● | ● |
| DE (Downtown Edge) | ● | ● | ● |
| I-1 (Light Industrial) | ● | ● | |
| I-2 (Heavy Industrial) | ● |
[Source: Sec 401.05 Table of Uses]
Development and Parking Standards
Establishments in the City of Bentonville must comply with specific parking and setback requirements based on their district and building size.
Off-Street Parking Ratios
Parking requirements are calculated based on net floor area, which excludes halls, lobbies, stairways, and maintenance spaces [Sec 501.06].
| Land Use Type | Bentonville Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Medical Clinics | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor space |
| Business/Professional Office | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Office (10,001–20,000 sq. ft.) | 95% of standard parking requirement |
| Office (20,001–30,000 sq. ft.) | 90% of standard parking requirement |
| Office (30,001–40,000 sq. ft.) | 85% of standard parking requirement |
| Office (40,000+ sq. ft.) | 80% of standard parking requirement |
[Source: Sec 501.06]
Residential Office (R-O) Setback Standards
The Residential Office district in the City of Bentonville features unique setbacks depending on whether parking is located in the front of the building.
| Feature | R-O Standard (Parking in Front) | R-O Standard (No Parking in Front) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Setback | 50 feet | 20 feet |
| Interior Side Setback | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| Exterior Side Setback | 50' with parking; 20' without | 20 feet |
| Rear Setback | 25 feet | 25 feet |
[Source: Sec 401.07 (c)(1)]
Special District Requirements
- Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts: In the DN-3 and DN-4 districts, commercial uses like offices must be located within a mixed-use building unless the Planning Commission approves a conditional use permit for a single-use commercial structure [Sec 401.07-B (c)(2)].
- Residential Proximity: In Commercial districts, required rear setbacks increase if the property is adjacent to a residential district. For example, in District C-1, the rear setback increases from 20 feet to 25 feet when adjacent to a residential zone [Sec 401.08 (c)(1)].
Sections Cited
- Section 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Section 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Section 401.07 Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.07-B Downtown Neighborhood (DN) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required