Fort Smith does not have a breed-specific ordinance — pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds are not banned by the City. Arkansas does not preempt local breed-specific legislation, so cities are free to enact bans, but Fort Smith has chosen not to. Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances regulates dogs by behavior (at-large, vicious, dangerous) rather than by breed. Surrounding Arkansas cities (Beebe, Pine Bluff, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, Little Rock) do have pit bull bans, so check the specific jurisdiction before relocating.
Fort Smith's Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances at https://library.municode.com/ar/fort_smith/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH4AN does not list any banned breed. Unlike many Arkansas cities (Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Beebe, Jacksonville, Batesville, Paragould, and others tracked at https://bslcensus.com/bsl/arkansas/), Fort Smith has not enacted breed-specific legislation. Arkansas state law does not preempt local breed bans — the Arkansas Code on rabies control at A.C.A. Section 20-19-303(b) (https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ar-dog-consolidated-dog-laws) expressly preserves local authority, stating that the statute does not limit the power of any municipality to further control and regulate dogs, so any Arkansas city is free to enact BSL if it chooses. Fort Smith's Animal Services Unit enforces behavior-based provisions of Chapter 4 instead: at-large violations under Section 4-56, nuisance and vicious-animal provisions, and the city-wide spay/neuter and microchip framework under Section 4-108 added in 2023. Dogs adjudicated dangerous based on actual aggressive behavior (biting, attacking) can be ordered confined, muzzled, or removed regardless of breed. Insurance carriers and landlords may impose private breed restrictions even where the City does not. Anyone moving into Fort Smith with a pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, or similar breed should still confirm landlord and insurance policies before signing a lease.
Because Fort Smith has no breed-based ordinance, no City citation may be issued solely based on a dog's breed. Behavior-based violations under Chapter 4 (at-large under Section 4-56, vicious or dangerous animal designations) carry fines up to $250 per occurrence plus impoundment, sheltering, and potential mandatory confinement, muzzling, or removal orders. Failure to comply with rabies vaccination under A.C.A. Section 20-19-301 et seq. carries separate state penalties enforced by the Arkansas State Board of Health.
Fort Smith, AR
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Fort Smith, AR
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Fort Smith, AR
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Fort Smith, AR
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Fort Smith, AR
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Fort Smith, AR
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