Setback Standards for R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential in Bentonville
In the City of Bentonville, properties within the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district generally require a front setback of 20 feet, an interior side setback of 7 feet, and a rear setback of 25 feet. Additionally, street-facing garages in the Bentonville R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district must maintain a specialized minimum front setback of 30 feet to preserve the character and safety of the neighborhood.
Minimum Setback Requirements for R-1 Districts
The R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district serves developments where residential land uses are separated from commercial and industrial activities. All building types within this Bentonville zoning classification must adhere to the following minimum dimensions for required yards [Sec 401.07(b)(1) and Sec 401.07(c)(1)].
| Setback Location | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 20 feet |
| Interior Side Yard | 7 feet |
| Exterior Side Yard (Corner Lot) | 20 feet |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet |
Specific Requirements for Garages and Accessory Structures
In addition to standard building setbacks, the City of Bentonville applies specific rules for garages and accessory structures located within the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district to ensure adequate site access and safety [Sec 401.07(c)(3) and Sec 601.01].
- Street-Facing Garages: The minimum front setback for a garage that faces the street in an R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district must be 30 feet from the property line.
- Side- or Rear-Loading Garages: These garages must maintain a minimum front setback of 20 feet from the front property line. This applies to both attached and detached structures.
- Accessory Structures (General): For accessory structures with a footprint of 720 square feet or less, the side and rear setbacks are 7 feet. If the footprint exceeds 720 square feet, the side and rear setbacks must match the requirements of the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district (7 feet for sides and 25 feet for the rear). No accessory structure may project beyond the front building line of the primary structure [Sec 601.01(d)].
Authorized Setback Encroachments
Bentonville allows certain architectural features and landscape elements to extend into the required setbacks for the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district, provided they meet specific standards [Sec 401.04(h)].
| Feature | Encroachment Standard |
|---|---|
| Eaves, Sills, Cornices | May project up to 18 inches into any required setback. |
| Bay Windows, Chimneys | May encroach up to 2 feet, but no closer than 3 feet to side/rear lines. |
| Open Porches, Decks, Patios* | May encroach but must be no closer than 12 feet to the front and 5 feet to the side/rear lines. |
| Steps* | May encroach up to 2 feet, but no closer than 3 feet to side/rear lines. |
| Awnings | May extend up to 6 feet into a setback but no closer than 2 feet to the curb. |
*Porches, decks, patios, and steps must have a finished floor of 30 inches or less above the lowest adjacent grade to utilize these encroachment standards [Sec 401.04(h)].
Additional R-1 District Standards
- Street Frontage: Every lot in the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district must have a minimum street frontage equal to the minimum lot width (60 feet), except for lots on cul-de-sac turnarounds or curving streets, which require a minimum of 20 feet of frontage [Sec 401.07(b)(1) and Sec 401.07(b)(2)].
- Corner Lot Widths: In the City of Bentonville, the minimum width for corner lots in the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential district must be 20% larger than the width of interior lots [Sec 401.07(b)(3)].
- Easements: If a utility easement extends beyond a required setback line, the edge of that easement becomes the effective setback for the property [Sec 401.07(c)(4)].
Sections Cited
- Sec 401.04 Application Of Zoning District Regulations
- Sec 401.07 Residential (R) Districts Regulations
- Sec 601.01 Accessory Structures