Little Rock's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Little Rock, Arkansas, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tiny Homes

Arkansas has no statewide tiny-home preemption, so Little Rock applies the 2021 International Residential Code (adopted via the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code) and Chapter 36 zoning to any dwelling on a permanent foundation. Tiny homes on chassis are treated as recreational vehicles and may not be used as permanent dwellings in residential districts. Backyard tiny homes generally proceed through the city's ADU pathway adopted by Ordinance 22,647 (August 19, 2025).

Key details: State Building Code: 2021 IRC via AFPC. ADU Ordinance: No. 22,647 (Aug 2025). ADU Limit: 1 per single-family lot. THOWs: Treated as RV. Phone: 501-371-4790.

Occupying a tiny house on wheels as a permanent residence in a Little Rock residential district, or constructing a tiny dwelling without IRC-compliant plans and permits, violates Chapter 36 and Chapter 8. Planning and Development can issue stop-work orders, require removal, and refer the case to Little Rock Environmental Court for fines.

Carport Rules

Little Rock regulates carports as accessory buildings under Chapter 36 (Zoning), specifically Section 36-252 (Accessory buildings in certain districts) within Article V Division 2 (Residential Districts). A building permit under Chapter 8 is required, and the city enforces the 2021 International Residential Code adopted statewide via the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.

Key details: Zoning Section: Sec. 36-252. Building Code: Chapter 8, Art. II. Residential Code: 2021 IRC (AFPC). Permit Authority: Planning & Development. Phone: 501-371-4790.

Building a carport without a Chapter 8 building permit, in a prohibited yard, or violating Section 36-252 standards can result in a stop-work order from Planning and Development, civil fines through Little Rock Environmental Court, and orders to remove or relocate the structure or obtain after-the-fact permitting.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Little Rock's ADU ordinance (Ord. 22,647) does not impose an owner-occupancy requirement; Arkansas Act 313 of 2025 generally prohibits cities from conditioning ADU approval on owner-occupancy of the primary dwelling.

Key details: Owner-occupancy required: No. State preemption: Act 313 of 2025 bars owner-occupancy mandates. Implementing ordinance: Little Rock Ord. No. 22,647. Investor ownership: Permitted; both units may be rented. Administering agency: Planning & Development.

Because no owner-occupancy rule exists, there is no specific enforcement; however, falsifying permit information or evading building inspection still triggers stop-work orders and civil penalties under Chapter 36.

The rules around adu owner occupancy in Little Rock lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Permits

Little Rock allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) by-right on lots with a single-family home under Ordinance 22,647 (adopted Aug. 19, 2025), which implements Arkansas Act 313 of 2025 in Chapter 36 of the city code.

Key details: Authorizing ordinance: Ord. No. 22,647 (Aug. 19, 2025). Enabling state law: Arkansas Act 313 of 2025. Units allowed: One ADU per single-family lot, by right. Permit issuer: Little Rock Planning & Development. Required utility documents: Will-serve letters from CAW and LRWRA.

Building an ADU without a permit, occupying the unit before final inspection, or constructing on a lot lacking a primary single-family dwelling can trigger stop-work orders, civil penalties, and required removal under Chapter 36 enforcement provisions.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Long-term rental of an ADU is permitted in Little Rock under Ord. 22,647 and Act 313. The city has not adopted ADU-specific short-term rental restrictions, but separate STR rules and zoning controls may apply to stays under 30 days.

Key details: Long-term rental: Permitted by right. Outright rental ban: Prohibited by Act 313. Short-term rental (under 30 days): Subject to separate Little Rock STR rules. Landlord-tenant law: AR Code Title 18, Chapter 17. Lodging taxes: Collected via Arkansas DFA.

Operating an unpermitted short-term rental, failing to remit hotel-motel tax, or violating property maintenance standards can result in civil penalties, permit revocation, and orders to cease operation under Chapter 36 and Chapter 8.

ADU Impact Fees

Little Rock does not impose a separate ADU impact fee; ADU applicants pay only standard building permit fees and utility connection charges from Central Arkansas Water and the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.

Key details: Dedicated ADU impact fee: None. Standard fees that apply: Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical permits. Water connection: Central Arkansas Water system development charge. Sewer connection: LRWRA connection fee (meter-size based). Statutory framework: AR Code Title 14 (Dillon Rule).

Failing to pay permit or utility connection fees results in permit denial or revocation, and unauthorized utility connections can trigger disconnection and back-billing by CAW, LRWRA, or Entergy.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Little Rock gives residents more flexibility on adu impact fees.

Shed Rules

Little Rock regulates sheds and accessory buildings through zoning setback and size requirements. Small sheds under 120 square feet typically do not require a building permit but must comply with setback requirements.

Key details: No Permit: Under 120 sq ft typically. Setbacks: 3–5 feet from property lines. Location: Rear or side yard. Living Quarters: Not permitted unless ADU-qualified.

Sheds placed in violation of setback requirements or built without required permits may need to be relocated or removed.

Garage Conversions

Little Rock allows garage conversions to living space with a building permit. Conversions must meet residential building code requirements for egress, insulation, electrical, and plumbing. Minimum parking requirements for the lot must still be satisfied.

Key details: Permit: Building permit required. Code: Must meet residential building code. Parking: Must maintain minimum off-street parking. ADU Option: May qualify as ADU under state law.

Unpermitted garage conversions may result in code enforcement action and requirements to restore the space or obtain proper permits.

ADU Rules

Little Rock updated its ADU regulations to align with Arkansas state law (Act 676 of 2023). ADUs must be on a permanent foundation, cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 75% of the primary dwelling area, and the city cannot require familial relationships between occupants or mandate additional parking.

Key details: Maximum Size: 1,000 sq ft or 75% of primary dwelling. Foundation: Permanent foundation required. Parking: No additional parking required. Occupancy: No family relationship required. State Law: Arkansas Act 676 (2023).

ADUs built without permits or exceeding size limits are subject to code enforcement action. Non-compliant ADUs may need to be modified or removed.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Little Rock gives residents more room on accessory structures. 2 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Little Rock's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.