PRD: Planned Residential Development Use Guide for Bentonville

In the City of Bentonville, the Planned Residential Development (PRD) district is a specialized zoning designation designed to foster innovative residential environments that incorporate Smart Growth and Traditional Neighborhood Design principles. The primary use of a PRD must be residential, requiring a minimum of 15% of the total project area to be dedicated to common usable open space and providing at least two off-street parking spaces for every residential unit.

Primary and Authorized Residential Uses

According to the Bentonville Zoning Code, the primary function of any Planned Residential Development must be residential. The specific mix of housing types is determined during the creation of a mandatory Master Site Plan. Under this designation, Bentonville authorizes a variety of housing types, including but not limited to:

Detached Single-Family Dwellings: Traditional standalone homes [Section 401.11(g)(5)].
Common Wall Dwellings: This category includes multi-family structures, condominiums, and duplex or patio home configurations [Section 401.11(g)(5)].
Townhouses and Row-Houses: These may be located on individual lots intended for sale or on shared common lots [Section 401.11(g)(5)].
Zero Lot Line Homes: Single-family detached units where one side of the structure is placed on the side property line [Section 401.11(g)(5)].

Accessory Uses

Uses that are incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use are permitted within the PRD. These are often allowed by right as long as they serve the residents of the development. These include:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Habitable living units added to or detached from a single-family dwelling [Section 401.05 Table].
Home Occupations (Type A): Low-impact businesses operated solely by the residents within the principal dwelling unit [Section 401.05 Table].
Nonresidential Accessory Buildings: Detached structures such as private garages, workshops, or sheds [Section 401.05 Table].
Solar and Wind Energy Systems: Small-scale solar energy systems and small wind energy systems (WES) are permitted as accessory uses [Section 401.05 Table].

Conditional Uses in PRD Districts

While the PRD is fundamentally residential, the Bentonville Planning Commission may approve specific nonresidential or high-impact uses through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or as part of the initial Master Site Plan approval. Based on the Bentonville Table of Uses, the following may be allowed conditionally:

Public and Institutional: Educational facilities, religious facilities, community centers, museums, hospitals, and child care centers [Section 401.05 Table].
Recreation and Assembly: Arenas, auditoriums, indoor/outdoor commercial recreation facilities, event centers, and outdoor music venues [Section 401.05 Table].
Limited Commercial: Retail establishments, restaurants (including those with microbreweries), and financial institutions [Section 401.05 Table].
Civic Infrastructure: Public safety services, utility facilities, and sewage treatment plants [Section 401.05 Table].

Prohibited Uses

The Bentonville Zoning Code maintains strict limitations on the types of activities allowed within a Planned Residential Development to ensure a stable residential character. Prohibited uses include:

Industrial Activity: Intensive industrial uses, heavy manufacturing, and salvage yards are strictly prohibited in the PRD [Section 401.05 Table].
Automotive Services: Uses such as car washes, automobile repair shops, and fueling stations are generally not permitted [Section 401.05 Table].
Sexually Oriented Businesses: Adult arcades, adult theaters, and similar establishments are prohibited [Section 401.05 Table].
Unapproved Uses: Per the code, "no other land uses will be allowed" unless they are explicitly listed in the approved PRD submittal or the district is revised through a formal rezoning process [Section 401.11(d)].

PRD Development Standards

The PRD designation allows for flexibility in building setbacks and heights, which are defined in the specific zoning ordinance created for each project. However, the following city-wide standards apply:

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Common Open Space	15% of the total project area (excluding ROW and parking lots)
Residential Parking Ratio	2 off-street spaces per dwelling unit
Lawn Area Restriction	Max 5% of the required common open space area
Common Open Space Dimension	No dimension of a common area can be less than 10 feet
Building Materials	Aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass siding cannot exceed 50% of the structure
Garage Setbacks	Rear/Side loading: 20-foot min; Front-loading: 30-foot min from property line

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