Fort Smith's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Fort Smith, Arkansas, there are 7 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.

Pet Store Rules

Fort Smith bans casual animal sales citywide but exempts licensed pet stores, kennels, breeders, and shelters operating from a permanent, properly zoned location with a business license.

Key details: Governing section: Fort Smith City Code § 4-151. Retail exception: Licensed, zoned, physical-location pet shops exempt. Breeder license fee: $1,000 per breeding dog or cat. Casual rehoming limit: One free transfer per 6 months.

Selling or transferring an animal without a qualifying exception is a Code violation punishable by up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 second, $4,000 thereafter (§ 1-9); licenses can also be revoked (§ 4-161).

Wildlife Feeding

Fort Smith prohibits leaving unattended food out for stray dogs and cats, deer, geese, ducks, raccoons, or other wildlife, with narrow exceptions for owned pets and elevated bird feeders.

Key details: Covers: Deer, geese, ducks, raccoons, strays. Exempt: Owned pets, stationary bird feeders. Feeder height: 4+ feet above ground. TNR feeding: Allowed for feral cat colonies.

Leaving food out for deer, geese, raccoons, or strays is a citable misdemeanor from animal control; bird feeders under four feet or that attract wildlife other than songbirds fall outside the exemption.

Chickens & Livestock

Fort Smith allows up to 20 hens or ducks, no roosters, on lots of at least 21,780 square feet, with coops kept 25 feet from neighboring homes.

Key details: Max fowl: 20 per lot. Min lot size: 21,780 sq ft. Roosters: prohibited. Coop setback: 25 ft from homes.

Keeping fowl outside these limits is a citable offense under Sec. 1-13. The city may also order abatement if fowl create a public nuisance or health hazard, reviewable by the city administrator.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Fort Smith requires pet dogs and cats past reproductive age to be spayed or neutered unless the animal stays leashed or confined to a secured enclosure at all times.

Key details: Who's covered: All pet dogs and cats. Exemption: Always leashed or enclosed. Impound outcome: Sterilized before release. Help available: City spay/neuter vouchers.

An unaltered, unconfined pet found at large will be spayed or neutered at the shelter before release, and the owner must pay the altering fee plus impoundment costs or forfeit the animal.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Smith actively enforces its mandatory spay/neuter requirements.

Pet Limits

Keeping more than four dogs over five months old in Fort Smith is prima facie evidence of operating a kennel, triggering zoning limits and a $150 annual license.

Key details: Threshold: More than 4 dogs, 5mo+. License fee: $150 annual kennel license. Zoning: Only in zones under Ch. 27. Fostering exemption: Documented shelter/adoption placement.

Exceeding four dogs without a kennel license and correct zoning exposes the owner to citation for operating an unlicensed kennel and possible zoning enforcement.

This is one of the stricter rules in Fort Smith's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

Fort Smith makes it unlawful for a dog or cat to run at large; animals must be leashed and under control whenever they're outside a secure enclosure.

Key details: Rule: No dogs or cats at large. Leash required: Outside a secure enclosure. TNR exception: Trappers aren't 'owners' under rule.

Running at large is a citable offense; animal control may impound the dog or cat, and owners without a secure enclosure risk repeat citations and impoundment fees.

Exotic Pets

Fort Smith prohibits keeping exotic animals, including primates, big cats, wolves, bears, and dozens of other wild species, as pets unless handled by licensed professionals.

Key details: Rule: exotic animals prohibited. Exception: licensed professional handlers. Covers hybrids: yes, wild-domestic crosses. Code section: § 27-701-1.

Keeping a prohibited exotic animal is a citable violation under Sec. 1-13; the city-county health department can order immediate abatement if the animal poses a health hazard.

This is one of the stricter rules in Fort Smith's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Fort Smith is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fort Smith, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Fort Smith can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.