Restaurant, Cafe, and Bakery Permissions in Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, standard restaurants and cafes are allowed by right in the C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial, DC Downtown Core, and DE Downtown Edge districts. Bakeries are more widely permitted by right, appearing in the R-C3 Central Residential, C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, C-3, DC, and DE districts. While restaurants generally require a conditional use permit in the C-2 General Commercial district, drive-in and drive-through food services are specifically permitted by right in that zone.
Restaurants and Cafes
The City of Bentonville defines a "Restaurant" as an establishment where food or beverages are prepared and offered for sale for on-premises consumption, specifically including establishments commonly known as cafes and grills [Sec 201.02]. Under the Bentonville Zoning Code, the classification of a restaurant is distinct from drive-in or drive-through services, which are regulated as separate uses [Sec 201.02].
District Permissions for Restaurants
The following table outlines where different types of restaurant services are allowed within Bentonville:
| District Name | Standard Restaurant | Drive-In Restaurant | Drive-Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-O Residential Office | Conditional Use (C) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial | Accessory Use (A) | Prohibited | Conditional Use (C) |
| C-2 General Commercial | Conditional Use (C) | Allowed by Right (●) | Allowed by Right (●) |
| C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial | Allowed by Right (●) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| DC Downtown Core | Allowed by Right (●) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| DE Downtown Edge | Allowed by Right (●) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| I-1 Light Industrial | Conditional Use (C) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Source: [Sec 401.05 Table of Uses]
Bakeries
Bentonville defines a "Bakery" as an establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of baked products for off-site consumption, regardless of whether the products are prepared on-site or off-site [Sec 201.02].
District Permissions for Bakeries
Bakeries are permitted in several residential and commercial zones in the City of Bentonville:
- Allowed by Right (●): R-C3 (Central Residential - High Density), C-1, C-2, C-3, DC, and DE districts.
- Conditional Use (C): DN-4 (Downtown Mixed-Use Residential) district.
Source: [Sec 401.05 Table of Uses]
Technical Standards for Food Service Establishments
Off-Street Parking Requirements
Establishments in the City of Bentonville must provide adequate off-street parking based on their use and square footage. Special exemptions apply to small businesses located in the Downtown Core and Downtown Edge.
| Use Type | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Restaurants/Cafes | 1 space per 4 occupants (max capacity) + 1 space per 1 employee (largest shift) |
| Drive-Through Facilities | Stacking spaces for each window (min. 10' x 20') + standard restaurant requirements |
| DC First Floor (< 3,000 sf) | No parking required |
| DC First Floor (> 3,000 sf) | 1 space per 500 square feet |
| DE Nonresidential (< 3,000 sf) | No parking required |
| DE Nonresidential (> 3,000 sf) | 1 space per 1,000 square feet |
Source: [Sec 501.06]
Bulk and Area Standards
Nonresidential structures (including restaurants and bakeries) must adhere to the following height and setback limits in the primary commercial and downtown districts of Bentonville:
| Standard | C-1 District | C-2 District | C-3 District | DC District | DE District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Building Height | 40' | 60' | 60' | 80' | 50' |
| Min. Front Setback | 20' | 20' | 0' | 0' (Max) | 0' (Max) |
| Min. Side Setback | 7' | 7' | 0' | 0' | 7' |
| Min. Rear Setback | 20' | 20' | 0' | 0' | 7' |
Note: Setbacks may increase significantly if the nonresidential property is adjacent to a residential district [Sec 401.08, Sec 401.8-B].
Sidewalk Cafes and Parklets
Bentonville encourages pedestrian-oriented dining through sidewalk cafes and "parklets."
- Sidewalk Cafes: These are outdoor dining areas located on a public right-of-way. They must remain open-air (though awnings or umbrellas are permitted) and must maintain a minimum of 5 feet or 50% of the total sidewalk width (whichever is greater) for pedestrian passage [Sec 601.23].
- Parklets: Allowed in certain districts by right, parklets use public parking spaces for seating. They are restricted to the Downtown Study Area and require an Encroachment Agreement with the City of Bentonville [Sec 601.33].
- Encroachments: Awnings and canopy structures over sidewalks must maintain a minimum height clearance of 7 feet [Sec 401.04(i)].
Sections Cited
- Sec 201.02 Definitions Of Terms And Uses
- Sec 401.04 Application Of Zoning District Regulations
- Sec 401.05 Table Of Uses For Zoning Districts
- Sec 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Sec 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Sec 501.06 Number Of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required
- Sec 601.23 Sidewalk Cafes In Public Right-Of-Way
- Sec 601.33 Parklet