Warehousing and Self-Storage Zoning in Bentonville
Bentonville permits self-storage (Mini-Warehouse Storage) by right in the C-2 General Commercial, I-1 Light Industrial, and I-2 Heavy Industrial districts. General warehousing and wholesaling activities are restricted to the I-1 and I-2 industrial districts, while office-warehouse combinations are permitted more broadly across several commercial, industrial, and downtown edge zones. Specific use standards in the Bentonville Zoning Code limit any single lessee to 10% of a mini-warehouse facility's total space in commercial zones and strictly prohibit retail or wholesale operations within these storage units.
Definitions of Storage and Warehousing
The City of Bentonville distinguishes between three primary types of storage and warehousing facilities:
- Mini-Warehouse Storage: A facility with separate storage units or cubicles intended to be leased to the public, including self-storage facilities [Sec 201.02].
- Warehouse or Wholesaling: A use engaged in the indoor storage of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment. This use is characterized by frequent heavy trucking activities or nuisances such as noise and odors but does not include manufacturing or the storage of highly flammable materials [Sec 201.02].
- Office-Warehouse: A facility that combines office and warehouse functions in a single structure. This use is characterized by only occasional truck deliveries and does not create nuisances like dust or heavy noise [Sec 201.02].
Permitted Zoning Districts
The following table outlines the districts in Bentonville where these uses are allowed by right (●), allowed with a Conditional Use Permit (C), or prohibited (Blank).
| Zoning District | Mini-Warehouse Storage | Warehouse or Wholesaling | Office-Warehouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-2 (General Commercial) | ● | ● | |
| C-3 (Mixed-Use Commercial) | C | ||
| DC (Downtown Core) | C | ||
| DE (Downtown Edge) | ● | ||
| I-1 (Light Industrial) | ● | ● | ● |
| I-2 (Heavy Industrial) | ● | ● | ● |
[Sec 401.05 Table of Uses]
Development and Dimensional Standards
Facilities in these districts must adhere to the specific bulk and area regulations established for each zone in the City of Bentonville.
Industrial Districts (I-1 and I-2)
The Industrial districts provide the primary locations for intensive warehousing and wholesaling.
| Standard | I-1 Light Industrial | I-2 Heavy Industrial |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 20,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Min. Lot Width / Depth | 100' / 100' | 100' / 100' |
| Max. Lot Coverage (Int. / Ext.) | 60% / 60% | 50% / 50% |
| Max. Building Height | 60' | 60' |
[Sec 401.09]
Commercial and Downtown Districts
Where storage is permitted in commercial areas, different dimensional requirements apply to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses.
| Standard | C-2 General Commercial | DE Downtown Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 7,000 sq. ft. | None |
| Min. Lot Width | 70' | None |
| Max. Lot Coverage | 60% | 80% |
| Max. Building Height | 60' | 50' |
[Sec 401.08, Sec 401.8-B]
Specific Use Regulations for Mini-Warehouses
Bentonville imposes additional restrictions on mini-warehouse storage facilities located on commercially zoned lands:
- Lease Limitations: No more than ten percent (10%) of the structure may be leased to a single lessee without obtaining specific permission from the Board of Adjustment [Sec 601.14].
- Business Operation Prohibition: The active use of any storage space or cubicle for a retail or wholesale business operation on-site is expressly prohibited [Sec 601.14].
Parking and Loading Requirements
Bentonville requires dedicated off-street parking and loading areas for all warehousing and storage uses.
Off-Street Parking Ratios
| Land Use Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing, Processing and Wholesaling | 1 space per 600 sq. ft. of net floor area |
| Warehouse and Storage | 5 spaces plus 1 space per 2,000 sq. ft. of net floor area (up to 50,000 sq. ft.); plus 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. thereafter |
[Sec 501.06]
Off-Street Loading Standards
For every nonresidential building constructed in Bentonville, at least one loading space is required if the floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Loading spaces must be at least 10 feet wide, 35 feet long, and 14 feet high. If the loading space faces a public street, it must be at least 70 feet in length [Sec 501.10].
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
- Section 501.10 Off-Street Loading
- Section 601.14 Mini-Warehouse Storage