Retail and Commercial Zoning Regulations in Bentonville, Arkansas
Retail stores and commercial shopping centers are primarily permitted by right in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial, DC Downtown Core, DE Downtown Edge, and I-1 Light Industrial districts. In the R-O Residential Office District, retail uses are allowed only as accessory uses to a primary professional office, while the DN-3 and DN-4 districts allow integrated ground-floor commercial uses within mixed-use buildings.
Primary Districts for Retail and Shopping Centers
The City of Bentonville classifies "Retail" as the sale of general merchandise, including clothing, hobby equipment, gifts, flowers, toys, and groceries, while a "Retail Complex" (or shopping center) is defined as a commercial site with three or more separate businesses sharing common pedestrian and parking areas [Section 201.02].
The following districts within the City of Bentonville permit these uses:
- C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District: Designed for convenience goods and personal services intended to serve the surrounding residential areas while maintaining a compatible character [Section 401.08(a)(2)].
- C-2 General Commercial District: The least restrictive commercial district, intended to serve the broader planning area and highway travelers, typically located on local arterial streets [Section 401.08(a)(3)].
- C-3 Mixed-Use Commercial District: Intended for areas outside of downtown, this district promotes an urban, walkable character that allows for a mix of neighborhood retail, services, and medium-density residential uses [Section 401.08(a)(4)].
- DC Downtown Core District: Focuses on the Bentonville Square area, encouraging pedestrian-oriented retail and entertainment venues, typically with retail on the first floor and office or residential uses above [Section 401.8-B(a)(1)].
- DE Downtown Edge District: Acts as a transition zone near the downtown core, allowing for flexible horizontal and vertical mixed-use structures that include retail and professional services [Section 401.8-B(a)(2)].
- I-1 Light Industrial District: While primarily for light manufacturing and assembly, this district allows retail uses by right [Section 401.05, Table of Uses].
Commercial District Development Standards
All commercial developments in the City of Bentonville must adhere to specific lot and area standards to ensure compatibility with the surrounding environment.
Lot and Area Standards (C Districts)
| District | Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | Min. Lot Width | Max. Lot Coverage (Interior) | Max. Lot Coverage (Corner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-1 | 7,000 | 70' | 50% | 50% |
| C-2 | 7,000 | 70' | 60% | 60% |
| C-3 | None | None | 100% | 100% |
[Section 401.08(b)]
Minimum Setback Requirements (C Districts)
| District | Front (No Parking) | Front (With Parking) | Side (Adj. to Non-Res) | Side (Adj. to Res) | Rear (Adj. to Non-Res) | Rear (Adj. to Res) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-1 | 20' | 50' | 7' | 15' | 20' | 25' |
| C-2 | 20' | 50' | 7' | 30' | 20' | 30' |
| C-3 | 0' | 0' | 0' | 10' | 0' | 0' |
[Section 401.08(c)(1)]
Height Standards (C Districts)
| District | Maximum Height Allowed |
|---|---|
| C-1 | 40' |
| C-2 | 60' |
| C-3 | 60' |
Note: Any structure exceeding the maximum height must be set back an additional one foot for every foot of excess height [Section 401.08(d)].
Downtown District Development Standards
Developments within the City of Bentonville's downtown districts are governed by standards that promote higher density and pedestrian engagement.
Lot and Area Standards (D Districts)
| District | Min. Lot Area | Min. Lot Width | Max. Lot Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | None | None | 100% |
| DE | None | None | 80% |
[Section 401.8-B(c)]
Height Standards (D Districts)
| District | Minimum Height | Maximum Height |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 20' | 80' |
| DE | None | 50' |
[Section 401.8-B(e)]
Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
For retail uses in the City of Bentonville, the number of required parking spaces is calculated based on the net floor area of the building.
Parking Ratios for Retail and General Business
| Square Footage (sf) | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 sf | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| 10,001—20,000 sf | 95% of the above requirement for the remaining area |
| 20,001—30,000 sf | 90% of the above requirement for the remaining area |
| 30,001—40,000 sf | 85% of the above requirement for the remaining area |
| 40,000 sf and up | 80% of the above requirement for the remaining area |
[Section 501.06(f)]
Downtown Parking Exceptions
In the Downtown Core (DC) and Downtown Edge (DE) districts, parking requirements are modified to encourage density:
- DC District: No parking is required for the first floor if it is less than 3,000 square feet. If greater than 3,000 square feet, the requirement is 1 space per 500 square feet [Section 501.06(d)(1)].
- DE District: No parking is required for nonresidential uses less than 3,000 square feet. If greater than 3,000 square feet, the requirement is 1 space per 1,000 square feet [Section 501.06(d)(1)].
Sections Cited
- Section 201.02 Definitions of Terms and Uses
- Section 401.05 Table of Uses for Zoning Districts
- Section 401.08 Commercial (C) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.8-B Downtown (D) Districts Regulations
- Section 401.09 Industrial (I) Districts Regulations
- Section 501.06 Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces Required