C-3: Central Business Commercial Use Regulations in Fayetteville
The Fayetteville C-3: Central Business Commercial district is designed for the city's most intensive commercial activity, accommodating retail, office, and high-density residential uses in an urban format. While the district allows a broad array of professional services and shopping by right, intensive industrial operations, heavy manufacturing, and sexually oriented businesses are strictly prohibited within this designation.
Permitted Uses by Right
In the City of Fayetteville, the C-3: Central Business Commercial district permits various land uses by right, categorized under specific "Use Units." These are activities that do not require special discretionary approval as long as they meet the standard development requirements [Section 161.25(B)(1)].
Core Commercial and Residential Uses
- Eating Places: Standard restaurants and cafes (Use Unit 13) [Section 162.01].
- Shopping Goods: Large-scale retail including department stores and appliance centers (Use Unit 16) [Section 162.01].
- Offices and Studios: Professional offices for accountants, architects, doctors, and artistic studios (Use Unit 25) [Section 162.01].
- Residential: Multi-family dwellings (Use Unit 26) and Cluster Housing Developments (Use Unit 44) [Section 161.25].
- Lodging and Entertainment: Hotels, motels, and motion picture theaters (Use Unit 14) [Section 162.01].
- Small-Scale Production: Microbreweries, microwineries, and coffee roasting facilities (Use Unit 45) [Section 162.01].
- Temporary Lodging: Short-term rentals (Use Unit 46) [Section 161.25].
Civic and Infrastructure Uses
- City-Wide Uses: Agricultural land, forests, and essential services like fire hydrants and sidewalks (Use Unit 1) [Section 162.01].
- Cultural and Recreational: Libraries, museums, cemeteries, and gymnasiums (Use Unit 4) [Section 162.01].
- Government Facilities: Courts of law, fire stations, and post offices (Use Unit 5) [Section 162.01].
- Small Recreation: Bowling alleys, billiard parlors, and skating rinks (Use Unit 19) [Section 162.01].
Conditional Uses
Certain uses are permitted within the Fayetteville C-3 district only after a public hearing and approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Planning Commission. These uses are identified as having potential impacts that require site-specific review [Section 161.25(B)(2)].
- Public Utilities: Electrical regulating stations and pressure control stations (Use Unit 3) [Section 162.01].
- Transportation Trades: Automotive sales and body shops (Use Unit 17) [Section 162.01].
- Clean Technologies: Alternative energy fabrication, such as solar panel or wind turbine component manufacturing (Use Unit 42) [Section 162.01].
- Social and Specialized Housing: Private dormitories (Use Unit 48) [Section 161.25].
- Specialized Facilities: Dance halls (Use Unit 29), outdoor music establishments (Use Unit 35), and wireless communications facilities (Use Unit 36) [Section 162.01].
Prohibited Uses
Under the Fayetteville Unified Development Code, any use not explicitly listed as permitted by right or by conditional use is considered prohibited in the C-3 district [Section 161.01(A)]. Notable prohibited uses include:
- Sexually Oriented Businesses: These are explicitly restricted to the UC and C-2 districts and are not allowed in C-3 [Section 163.11(B)].
- Heavy Industrial: Any use involving explosives, intensive odors, or heavy manufacturing (Use Units 23 and 31) [Section 162.01].
- Auto Salvage: Junk yards and auto wrecking facilities (Use Unit 39) [Section 162.01].
- Animal Husbandry: Large-scale livestock raising or animal farms (Use Unit 7) [Section 162.01].
- Manufactured Home Parks: While allowed in other districts, they are not listed for the C-3 designation [Section 161.25].
Development and Parking Standards
The Fayetteville C-3 district emphasizes an urban form, meaning it has fewer restrictions on density and bulk than residential zones but higher requirements for street interaction.
Dimensional Requirements
| Standard | Central Business District (CBD) | Shopping Center |
|---|---|---|
| Density | None | None |
| Front Setback | 5 feet | 25 feet |
| Side Setback | None (10' if adjoining residential) | None (25' if adjoining residential) |
| Rear Setback | 15 feet | 25 feet |
| Max Building Height | 5 stories (7 stories with Urban Form) | 5 stories (7 stories with Urban Form) |
Source: [Section 161.25(C)-(F)]
Parking Ratios
Fayetteville does not require a minimum number of parking spaces for non-residential uses in the C-3 district. However, if parking is provided, it must not exceed the maximums set by the code [Section 172.05(A)].
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Required | Maximum Parking Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family | 2 per dwelling unit | None |
| Townhouse | 2 per unit (or 1 per bedroom, if greater) | 1 per bedroom |
| Multi-family | 1 per bedroom | 1 per bedroom |
Source: [Section 172.05, Table 3]
Sections Cited
- Section 161.01 - Application of District Regulations
- Section 161.25 - District C-3, Central Commercial
- Section 162.01 - Establishment/Listing (Use Units)
- Section 163.11 - Sexually Oriented Business
- Section 172.05 - Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use