Little Rock, AR Accessory Structures: ADU Permits (2026)

On August 19, 2025, the Little Rock Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 22,647, which amends Chapter 36 (Zoning) to align city standards with Arkansas Act 313 of 2025. Act 313 took effect August 5, 2025 and requires every Arkansas municipality to permit at least one ADU by right on any lot containing a single-family dwelling. Under the Little Rock implementation, an ADU is a self-contained living unit with its own kitchen, sleeping quarters, and bathroom; it may be attached, detached, or interior (such as a basement conversion). The unit must be built on a permanent foundation, and the primary single-family dwelling must already exist on the lot before the ADU is permitted. Applicants submit a building permit application to Little Rock Planning and Development (501-371-4790) along with will-serve letters from Central Arkansas Water and the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority confirming utility service. Standard zoning setbacks, height limits, and building code requirements (Chapter 8 building code, Chapter 12 fire code) apply. Because the August 2025 ordinance is described by city officials as an interim measure while permanent rules are developed, applicants should confirm current standards with the Planning Department before filing.