Fort Smith's Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances addresses dangerous and wild animals through general nuisance and restraint provisions, and exotic species are not listed as a customary residential accessory use under the zoning code. Statewide, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Code (notably AGFC Code 9.02 and the Captive Wildlife rules at AGFC R1.01 et seq.) restricts private ownership of large carnivores, primates, bears, and many native wildlife species — no new permits for large carnivores have been issued in Arkansas since 2005.
Fort Smith does not have a single comprehensive exotic-pet ordinance. Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances at https://library.municode.com/ar/fort_smith/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH4AN provides the local nuisance and dangerous-animal hook for exotic species kept in residential settings, while the Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance at Chapter 27 does not list exotic species as customary residential uses. The state-level framework is the primary restriction. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Captive Wildlife rules at https://www.agfc.com/education/captive-wildlife/ and the Unrestricted Captive Wildlife Species List at https://apps.agfc.com/regulations/R1.01/ classify large carnivores (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, mountain lions, bears), primates, and many native wildlife species as restricted, and effectively prohibit new private ownership of large carnivores — no new private permits have been issued since 2005. Common household pets such as ferrets, parrots, non-venomous reptiles, rabbits, and most small mammals are not restricted under AGFC rules and do not require an AGFC permit, though they may still draw nuisance review from Fort Smith Animal Services if they create odor, noise, or escape problems. Anyone considering an unusual pet should call Fort Smith Animal Services at 479-783-6833 and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's regional office before purchase. Native venomous reptiles (cottonmouth, copperhead, rattlesnakes) are separately restricted under AGFC reptile and amphibian rules.
Keeping a dangerous or wild animal in Fort Smith in violation of Chapter 4 is enforceable by Animal Services with fines up to several hundred dollars per occurrence plus abatement orders requiring removal of the animal at the owner's expense. Possessing restricted captive wildlife under AGFC rules without a valid permit is a separate state violation enforced by AGFC Wildlife Officers with fines, animal seizure, and placement in a licensed sanctuary at the owner's expense. Restricted large carnivores and primates are effectively unavailable to private owners through the Arkansas permit process.
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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