Bentonville Unveils Draft Community Code and Zoning Map for Public Review
Bentonville has entered the next phase of its long-running planning effort with the release of a new Community Code and Zoning Map Review Portal. The interactive site, built with ArcGIS StoryMaps, allows residents, businesses, and developers to see how proposed zoning updates could shape the city’s future — and to weigh in before the rules are finalized.
A Unified Approach to Growth
At the heart of the update is a unified development code, a document meant to bring together Bentonville’s zoning and development rules into a single, coherent framework. City leaders say the code will reduce inconsistencies, streamline the approval process, and ensure new projects match the vision for growth set out in the city’s long-range plan.
The zoning map is the companion piece, showing how those rules would apply across different neighborhoods and districts. Together, they determine everything from what kinds of homes and businesses are allowed in a given area to how tall buildings can be, how close they can sit to the street, and how densely they can be built.
Connecting Vision to Reality
Bentonville’s planning process has revolved around the concept of place types — categories such as walkable neighborhoods, neighborhood centers, and urban cores. These designations go beyond simple zoning labels, laying out the character and intent of each area.
By tying the zoning map directly to these place types, the city hopes to align day-to-day development decisions with its long-term land use vision. That alignment, officials note, is essential if Bentonville is to balance rapid growth with quality of life.
Public Input Front and Center
The city has emphasized transparency and engagement throughout the process. Thousands of residents have already contributed ideas through surveys, open houses, and design workshops. The new portal extends that outreach, letting people search parcels, explore maps, and provide direct feedback on the draft.
A second draft of the Community Code was published earlier this month. A final draft is expected in October following this round of comments.
Why It Matters
For residents, the code and map will directly influence neighborhood character — shaping whether new developments bring denser housing, more businesses, or changes to traffic patterns. For the city, a unified code provides clarity, reduces ad hoc decisions, and helps plan infrastructure. For developers and businesses, it offers predictability by spelling out what can and cannot be built.
Challenges Ahead
Like any zoning overhaul, the process carries challenges. The code must be clear enough for residents and developers to understand, yet detailed enough to address the complexities of growth. Equity is also a concern: some neighborhoods may welcome new investment, while others worry about density, traffic, or loss of character. And even with clear rules, implementation will take careful management to balance aspiration with market realities.
A City at a Crossroads
With Bentonville’s population and economy growing rapidly, the Community Code and Zoning Map represent a pivotal moment. The choices made now will shape how the city grows not just in the next few years, but well into the coming decades.
The city is encouraging all residents to explore the portal and share their thoughts before the final draft is prepared this fall.
Check out Bentonville’s Public plan here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/89f825163c364cc98ac3efbc7680c354.
