# Sign Regulations in Bentonville, Arkansas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bentonville, Arkansas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bentonville, Arkansas (AR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arkansas/bentonville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://bentonville.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=ARTICLE_801_SIGN_ORDINANCE_-_PRIVATE_PROPERTY)

## At a glance

Bentonville, Arkansas regulates 33 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Single Tenant)s in the C-1, Neighborhood Commercial, C-2, General Commercial, C-3, Mixed-Use Commercial zoning district are capped at 8 ft. (C-1); 12 ft. (C-2, C-3) tall and 60 sq. ft., with a Min. 5 ft. from property line if sign area <= 32 sq ft; 10 ft if sign area > 32 sq ft; 25 ft if adjacent to residential setback (Sec. Sec 801.15, Table and text). Most commercial signs in Bentonville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1, Agricultural, R-E, Residential Estate, R-1, Low Density Single Family Residential, R-2, Medium Density Two Family and Townhome Residential, R-3, Medium-High Density Multifamily Residential, R-4, High Density Multifamily Residential, R-MH, Manufactured Home Residential, R-ZL, Zero Lot Line, R-O, Residential Office, R-C2, Central Residential - Moderate Density, R-C3, Central Residential - High Density, DN-1, Downtown Low-Density Residential, DN-2, Downtown Medium-Density Residential, DN-3, Downtown High Density Residential, DN-4, Downtown Mixed-Use Residential, PRD, Planned Residential Development | 9 | 12 ft. | 40% of window/door area | — |
| C-1, Neighborhood Commercial, C-2, General Commercial, C-3, Mixed-Use Commercial | 14 | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| DC, Downtown Core, DE, Downtown Edge | 14 | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| I-1, Light Industrial, I-2, Heavy Industrial | 14 | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| PUD, Planned Unit Development | 1 | — | — | — |
| Municipal Airport Overlay District, Northwest Arkansas Regional (XNA) Airport Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 6 ft. (res), 8 ft. (nonres), 12 ft. (subdiv) | Up to 40% of the window/door area | — |
| Municipal Airport Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Northwest Arkansas Regional (XNA) Airport Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### C-1, Neighborhood Commercial, C-2, General Commercial, C-3, Mixed-Use Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Single Tenant) | 8 ft. (C-1); 12 ft. (C-2, C-3) | 60 sq. ft. | — | Min. 5 ft. from property line if sign area <= 32 sq ft; 10 ft if sign area > 32 sq ft; 25 ft if adjacent to residential | 1/street frontage; a second permitted on >300 ft street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec 801.15, Table and text |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Multiple Tenant) | 12 ft. (C-2, C-3) | 100 sq. ft. | — | Min. 5 ft. if <=32 sq ft; otherwise 10 or 25 ft. | 1/street frontage; additional as above | Per street frontage | — | Sec 801.15, Table & text |
| Freestanding Sign (Adjacent to I-49, Option 1) | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | Per street frontage | Within 500 ft. of I-49, between Exit 85 and 86, for uses catering to travelers (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) | — | Sec 801.15(c)(7) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential) | 1 ft. above roof peak | 15% of wall area (includes awning, canopy, window, door, projecting, roof signs) | — | — | No max; cumulative area restricted | On building | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Awning Sign | 1 ft. above highest roof peak | 32 sq. ft. (must be included as part of max area for wall signs) | — | — | 1/awning face | On awning face | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/building | On marquee | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Temporary Sign (Property for Sale or Lease, Nonresidential) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | As above | On property for sale/lease | — | Sec 801.13(2) |
| Temporary Signs (Property Under Construction, Nonresidential) | 12 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/street frontage | On property under construction | — | Sec 801.13(2) |

### DC, Downtown Core, DE, Downtown Edge

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Single Tenant) | 8 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from property line if sign area <= 32 sq ft; 10 ft if above; 25 ft if adjacent to residential. | 1/street frontage; 2 if >300 ft | At street frontage | — | Sec 801.15 Table & text |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Multiple Tenant) | 12 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | As above | 1/street frontage; 2 if additional allowed | At street frontage | — | Sec 801.15 Table & text |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential) | 1 ft. above roof peak | 15% of wall area | — | — | No max; cumulative area | On building | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Awning Sign | 1 ft. above highest roof peak | 32 sq. ft. (included in max 15% wall sign area) | — | — | 1/awning face | On awning face | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/building | On marquee | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Single Tenant, Option: I-49) | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | Per street frontage | Within 500 ft of Interstate 49, Exit 85/86, for uses catering to travelers | — | Sec 801.15(c)(7) |
| Temporary Signs (Property Under Construction, Nonresidential) | 12 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/street frontage | On property under construction | — | Sec 801.13(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Property for Sale or Lease, Nonresidential) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | As above | On property for sale/lease | — | Sec 801.13(2) |

### I-1, Light Industrial, I-2, Heavy Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Single Tenant) | 8 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from property line if sign area <= 32 sq ft; 10 ft if above; 25 ft if adjacent to residential. | 1/street frontage; 2 if >300 ft | At street frontage | — | Sec 801.15 Table & text |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential - Multiple Tenant) | 12 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | As above | 1/street frontage; 2 if additional allowed | At street frontage | — | Sec 801.15 Table & text |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential) | 1 ft. above roof peak | 15% of wall area | — | — | No max; cumulative area | On building | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Awning Sign | 1 ft. above highest roof peak | 32 sq. ft. (included in max 15% wall sign area) | — | — | 1/awning face | On awning face | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/building | On marquee | — | Sec 801.15 Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant, Option: I-49) | 70 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | Per street frontage | Within 500 ft of Interstate 49, Exit 85/86, for uses catering to travelers | — | Sec 801.15(c)(7) |
| Temporary Signs (Property Under Construction, Nonresidential) | 12 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/street frontage | On property under construction | — | Sec 801.13(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Property for Sale or Lease, Nonresidential) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | As above | On property for sale/lease | — | Sec 801.13(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Bentonville

- Pole signs are prohibited except as allowed for digital billboards adjacent to I-49.
- Rotating or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Commercial handheld signs are prohibited.
- Portable message center signs are prohibited.
- Off-site commercial message signs are prohibited.
- Signs (including supports, frames, embellishments) are not allowed within or attached/affixed/painted on any utility pole, light standard, utility box, pedestal, tree, rock, or other natural object within the public right-of-way or on public property, except as specifically allowed.
- Air-activated graphics are prohibited, except as allowed for special events in Section 801.13(4) Temporary signs.
- Obsolete signs or signs which have broken supports or are overgrown with vegetation are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited except for specific grandfathered or regulated situations.
- Mobile billboards (for advertising and not normal business operations) are prohibited when parked to be viewed from a vehicular right-of-way.
- Signs with fluctuating illumination, movement, or flashing, blinking, or simulated motion are prohibited.
- Any sign, sign structure, or lighting that causes hazardous or unsafe conditions by creating a hazard due to collapse, fire, decay, abandonment, impedes emergency access, or is otherwise unsafe is prohibited.
- Strung lights used as sign illumination are prohibited.
- Temporary signs (unless specifically exempted or permitted) may not be artificially illuminated.
- No sign shall block or impede entrances/exits to buildings including windows, doors, and fire escapes.
- No sign shall be located so as to create an obstruction in sight triangles required for vehicular safety.
- No sign shall be maintained in a manner that results in cracked/peeling paint, missing/damaged panels, damaged supports, or overgrown landscaping that interrupts visibility.
- No sign shall be located in violation of the ICC Building Code or National Electrical Code or City codes/regulations.
- Within the public right-of-way and on city property, private party signs are generally prohibited unless expressly permitted.
- Commercial mascots are prohibited on city property or public right-of-way.
- No sign, including supports, frames, and embellishments, may block the clear vision of drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bentonville

- Official signs (traffic control, emergency, warning, government messages, official notices) are exempt from the permit requirements when erected or authorized by the City or other government agency.
- Wayfinding signs erected or authorized by the City or other government unit are exempt.
- Non-legible interior signs (not visible from public right-of-way) are exempt.
- Noncommercial messages within public property, under First Amendment protection, when hand-held by a person or personally attended, and do not exceed 8 square feet per sign, are exempt from permits.
- Works of art that do not identify a commercial business/product/service or thematic commercial content are not considered signs and are exempt.
- Incidental or directional signs of up to 3 square feet are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- On private property, the following are allowed without a sign permit: handheld signs, incidental/directional signs, interior signs, temporary signs (within display, area, and use limits), window and door signs (within area limits), outdoor vendor signs (if under vendor permit), and signs for properties under construction/sale/lease (within size and location limits).
- Signs wholly contained within an enclosed building are exempt from placement regulations (for donation boxes: applicable for donation box exemption).
- Recycling bins operated by the City or waste management company are exempt from donation box regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan is required prior to issuance of any sign permit in a development containing more than one building, business, or establishment (such as multi-tenant developments/shopping centers). The common signage plan must be approved by the Director.
- The common signage plan must demonstrate graphical design consistency and uniformity among all signs within a related project, and applies to all buildings, businesses, and establishments within a related project, even if subdivided.
- An approved signage plan governs and overrides (in the case of conflict) the zoning ordinance for signage in the development.
- Amendments/additions or major alterations to the size/layout of the property or signage in a multi-tenant or multiphase project require a new common signage plan to be submitted and approved.
- Minor alterations in sign location due to unexpected site conditions may be approved administratively by the Director provided the plan's criteria and Article Purpose standards are used.
- For vertical streetscape banners on public rights-of-way/City property, an overall signage plan must be approved when multiple banners are placed on a lot or street section.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 9 zoning districts in Bentonville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bentonville+AR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bentonville

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