PUD: Planned Unit Development Use Regulations in Bentonville

The PUD: Planned Unit Development district in the City of Bentonville is a specialized mixed-use designation where the specific allowed uses are established through a mandatory Master Site Plan and approved by City ordinance. While this district provides flexibility for innovative residential, commercial, and industrial integration, it requires that at least 20% of the total project area be dedicated to common usable open space and strictly prohibits the modification of municipal sign requirements.

Overview of PUD: Planned Unit Development Uses

In the City of Bentonville, a PUD: Planned Unit Development is a combination of a zoning designation and a master site plan. The primary mechanism for determining allowed uses is the PUD submittal itself, which must include a comprehensive listing of all proposed land uses and the specific amount of land devoted to each [Section 401.10(b)-(c)].

Once the City of Bentonville approves the Master Site Plan, it becomes the governing zoning for that specific parcel. No other land uses are permitted unless the PUD: Planned Unit Development is revised through a formal rezoning process [Section 401.10(c)].

Uses Allowed by Right

According to the City of Bentonville Table of Uses, the following categories are generally permitted within a PUD: Planned Unit Development, provided they are explicitly included in the approved Master Site Plan [Section 401.05]:

Residential and Lodging

• Dwelling, Accessory: Allowed only as an accessory use [Section 401.05].
• Lodging, Bed and Breakfast: Permitted by right.
• Lodging, Hotel or Motel: Permitted by right.

Commercial, Retail, and Services

• Retail: General retail stores, artisan shops, and bakeries.
• Restaurants: Standard restaurants, including microbrewery-restaurants.
• Bars, Lounges, or Taverns: Permitted by right.
• Financial Institutions: Banks and related services.
• Medical Services: Hospitals, doctor offices, urgent care clinics, and laboratories.
• Professional Offices: General business and professional office spaces.
• Personal Services: Barbers, beauty shops, and similar establishments.
• Medical Marijuana Dispensary: Permitted by right.

Public and Institutional

• Educational Facilities: Schools and specialized training centers.
• Religious Facilities: Churches, synagogues, and temples.
• Community Centers and Museums: Publicly oriented cultural facilities.
• Parks: Mini-parks, neighborhood parks, and community parks.
• Public Safety Services: Police and fire stations.
• Utility Facility: Fixed-base structures for utility transfer or distribution.

Industrial and Specialty

• Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility: Permitted by right.
• Parking Facility: As a principal use of the land.
• Wireless Communication Facility: Cell towers and related equipment.

Accessory and Conditional Uses

Certain uses within the PUD: Planned Unit Development are subject to additional levels of review or must remain subordinate to a principal use.

Use Type	Status within PUD	Regulatory Section
Home Occupation, Type A	Accessory Use (A)	Section 601.12
Home Occupation, Type B	Conditional Use (C)	Section 601.12
Group Home	Conditional Use (C)	Section 601.32
Temporary Uses	Conditional Use (C)	Section 601.25
Solar Energy Systems	Accessory Use (A)	Section 601.24
Wind Energy System, Small	Accessory Use (A)	Section 601.26
Donation Box	Accessory Use (A)	Section 601.34

Prohibited Uses and Restrictions

The City of Bentonville strictly limits the scope of a PUD: Planned Unit Development to ensure compatibility with surrounding areas and adherence to the General Plan.

Use Prohibitions

• Unlisted Uses: Any use not specifically identified and approved in the original Master Site Plan is prohibited [Section 401.10(c)].
• Standard Prohibitions: Based on the Table of Uses, PUD: Planned Unit Development designations typically exclude heavy industrial uses (Intensive Industrial), agricultural product processing, livestock markets, and auto-oriented services like salvage yards or drive-in restaurants unless specifically negotiated [Section 401.05].

Standard and Modification Restrictions

While a developer may request to modify certain standards (such as density or setbacks), the following municipal standards cannot be modified within a PUD: Planned Unit Development in the City of Bentonville [Section 401.10(e)(2)]:

1. Sign Requirements: Must adhere strictly to the City's sign ordinance.
2. Grading and Drainage: Must meet standard engineering requirements.
3. Access Management: Must follow City safety protocols.
4. Outdoor Lighting: Must comply with existing illumination standards.
5. Screening: Standard landscape and buffer requirements apply.
6. Flood Damage Protection: Standard safety regulations apply.

Technical Requirements for PUD Developments

The City of Bentonville imposes strict technical ratios for any PUD: Planned Unit Development project.

Standard Category	Minimum Requirement	Section
Common Open Space	20% of the total project area (excluding public ROW and parking)	401.10(f)(1)a
Parking Ratio	Must comply with standard Article 501 ratios based on use	401.10(f)(2)
Residential Units	Calculated based on net residential acres (Total site minus public ROW and non-residential parcels)	401.10(d)

Sections Cited

• Section 401.05 Table of Uses For Zoning Districts
• Section 401.10 PUD, Planned Unit Development
• Section 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
• Section 601.12 Home Occupations
• Section 601.24 Solar Energy Systems
• Section 601.25 Temporary Uses And Structures
• Section 601.26 Wind Energy System (WES), Small
• Section 601.32 Group Homes
• Section 601.34 Unattended Donation Boxes