How Springdale Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Springdale maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Springdale falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Chickens & Livestock

Springdale regulates fowl and livestock under Chapter 14 (Animals) of the Springdale Municipal Code. The City prohibits any fowl, including chickens, from running at large within city limits. Chickens and other fowl are allowed only on properties located in the A-1 (Agricultural) zoning district under the Springdale Zoning Code at Chapter 130. A critical limitation applies: no fowl may be kept in a platted subdivision, even if that subdivision happens to be zoned A-1. Questions go to the Springdale Animal Services Division at (479) 750-8114.

Key details: Code Chapter: Springdale Code Chapter 14 + Chapter 130. Allowed Zone: A-1 (Agricultural) only. Platted Subdivision Rule: No fowl, even if zoned A-1. Running At Large: Prohibited inside city limits. State Preemption: None - local zoning controls.

Keeping chickens, fowl, or livestock outside an A-1 zoned parcel, or anywhere inside a platted subdivision, is a violation of Chapter 14 and Chapter 130 of the Springdale Municipal Code enforced by Springdale Animal Services and Code Enforcement. Penalties typically include municipal citations with fines plus abatement orders requiring removal of the birds or animals. Continuing-violation fines may accrue daily until the property is brought into compliance. Repeated nuisance conditions involving neglected fowl can escalate to charges under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-103 (cruelty to animals).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Springdale actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

Dog Leash Laws

Springdale Municipal Code Chapter 14 (Animals) requires dogs to be under the physical control of a person when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by Springdale Animal Services. A narrow exception in the Code allows dogs to run at large on the property of the animal's owner only where that property is located in a non-platted A-1 (Agricultural) zone. Every dog must be current on rabies vaccination under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 20-19-303. Springdale Animal Services is located at 1549 E. Don Tyson Parkway, (479) 750-8114.

Key details: Code Chapter: Springdale Code Chapter 14. Off-Property Rule: Physical control by a person required. At-Large Exception: Non-platted A-1 owner property only. Rabies Vaccination: Required - A.C.A. Section 20-19-303. Animal Services Address: 1549 E. Don Tyson Pkwy.

At-large violations under Springdale Chapter 14 are municipal citations enforced by Springdale Animal Services with fines typically starting around $50 to $100 per occurrence plus impound, daily boarding, and vaccination fees if Animal Services picks up the dog. Reclaim costs scale with whether the animal is licensed, microchipped, and current on rabies vaccination. Repeated at-large incidents that result in bites can trigger a potentially-dangerous-animal proceeding under Chapter 14 carrying a $100 annual permit, $50,000 liability insurance requirement, microchipping, and strict confinement orders. Bites causing serious physical injury are prosecuted under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-125.

Breed Restrictions

Springdale has no breed-specific legislation. After publicly debating a pit bull regulation in 2013-2014, the Springdale City Council declined to enact a breed ban and instead strengthened its behavior-based vicious and potentially dangerous animal rules in Chapter 14 of the Springdale Municipal Code. Arkansas has no statewide preemption of breed-specific legislation - cities can still adopt breed restrictions - but as of 2026 Springdale regulates dogs by individual behavior. Owners of dogs adjudicated potentially dangerous must obtain an annual $100 permit, $50,000 liability insurance, and a microchip.

Key details: Current Local BSL: None - rejected by Council 2013-2014. Approach: Behavior-based vicious/dangerous dog rules. Dangerous Permit: $100/year (Chapter 14). Liability Insurance: $50,000 minimum. Microchip: Required for dangerous dogs.

There is no Springdale citation issued solely based on a dog's breed. Behavior-based vicious or potentially dangerous animal citations under Chapter 14 are municipal violations with fines plus mandatory confinement, $50,000 liability insurance, $100 annual permit, and microchip orders; failure to comply can result in impoundment by Springdale Animal Services and, in severe cases, court-ordered euthanasia. Owners of a dog that attacks and causes serious physical injury can be charged under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-125. Arkansas civil law also imposes one-bite-rule liability on owners with knowledge of vicious propensities.

Beekeeping

Springdale does not maintain a stand-alone beekeeping chapter. Apiaries are regulated through the Springdale Zoning Code at Chapter 130, which treats beekeeping as an agricultural use compatible with the A-1 (Agricultural) district, and through Chapter 14 (Animals) general nuisance provisions where hives create a nuisance. Statewide, the Arkansas Bee Law at Arkansas Code Annotated Sections 2-22-101 through 2-22-112 requires beekeepers to register their apiary locations with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and prohibits establishing a new apiary within three miles of an existing registered apiary without consent.

Key details: Local Hooks: Springdale Ch. 14 + Ch. 130 (Zoning). Best-Fit Zone: A-1 (Agricultural). State Statute: Arkansas Bee Law - A.C.A. Sections 2-22-101+. State Registration: Free - Arkansas Dept of Agriculture. 3-Mile Rule: No new apiary within 3 mi of registered one.

Apiary placement that creates a public nuisance under Chapter 14, that is not compatible with the underlying zoning district under Chapter 130, or that fails to satisfy Arkansas Bee Law registration and three-mile-radius requirements can result in citations from Springdale Code Enforcement, the Arkansas State Apiarist, or both. City penalties typically include municipal fines and abatement orders requiring hive relocation or removal. Arkansas Code Annotated Section 2-22-105 authorizes the State Apiarist to inspect, quarantine, and order destruction of diseased colonies; failure to register under Section 2-22-110 does not carry a state fine but forfeits notification protection and inspection support.

Exotic Pets

Springdale regulates exotic and wild animals through Chapter 14 (Animals) general restraint, nuisance, and vicious-animal provisions, and the Springdale Zoning Code does not list exotic species as a customary residential accessory use. Statewide, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Captive Wildlife Regulations at AGFC Code 09 control possession of native and most exotic wildlife. Arkansas Code Annotated Sections 20-19-501 through 20-19-511 (Ownership and Possession of Large Carnivores) make it unlawful to acquire any new large carnivore - including big cats, bears, and most non-human primates - and bar new large-carnivore permits since 2005.

Key details: Local Hook: Springdale Ch. 14 + Ch. 130 Zoning. State Captive Wildlife: AGFC Code 09. Large Carnivore Statute: A.C.A. Sections 20-19-501 to 20-19-511. Cut-off Date: 2005 - no new large carnivores. Covered Species: Big cats, bears, primates, etc..

Possessing a large carnivore in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated Sections 20-19-501 through 20-19-511 is a misdemeanor for a first offense and can escalate for subsequent offenses, with fines, animal seizure, and forfeiture of permits. AGFC captive-wildlife violations under Code 09 carry Class 1 wildlife-violation penalties (up to $1,000 plus court costs). Springdale Animal Services and Code Enforcement can also pursue local nuisance and vicious-animal citations under Chapter 14 with municipal fines and abatement orders. Seized animals are placed with accredited sanctuaries or zoos at the owner's expense.

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

Animal Hoarding

Springdale addresses animal hoarding through Chapter 14 (Animals) nuisance and care provisions and through Arkansas state criminal cruelty statutes. Arkansas does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding criminal statute; hoarding conduct is prosecuted under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-103 (Cruelty to Animals - misdemeanor) and Section 5-62-104 (Aggravated Cruelty to a Dog, Cat, or Horse - Class D felony) where neglect rises to torture or causes serious injury or death. Springdale Animal Services investigates with the Springdale Police Department and refers cases to the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney.

Key details: Local Hook: Springdale Ch. 14 nuisance/care provisions. Dedicated Hoarding Statute: None - charged as cruelty. Misdemeanor Cruelty: A.C.A. Section 5-62-103 (Class A misd.). Felony Aggravated Cruelty: A.C.A. Section 5-62-104 (Class D felony). Investigator: Springdale Animal Services + SPD.

Springdale Chapter 14 nuisance and care citations are municipal violations with fines plus abatement and daily continuing-violation penalties. Arkansas state criminal penalties: Section 5-62-103 (Cruelty to Animals) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500; Section 5-62-104 (Aggravated Cruelty to a Dog, Cat, or Horse) is a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Convicted defendants are typically barred from owning animals for a court-defined period and ordered to pay restitution for shelter, boarding, and veterinary expenses incurred to care for the seized animals.

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

Wildlife Feeding

Springdale does not publish a stand-alone wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Chapter 14 (Animals) and Chapter 42 (Environment) general nuisance provisions allow Code Enforcement to cite residents whose feeding of deer, raccoons, or other wildlife creates a public-health or safety nuisance. The harder rule comes from the state: Washington County is inside the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone, where AGFC Code 07.06 prohibits placing food, salt, minerals, or other attractants for wildlife except for specific deer-hunting baiting windows on private land.

Key details: Local Hook: Springdale Ch. 14 + Ch. 42 nuisance. State Rule: AGFC Code 07.06 - CWD Management Zone. Washington County Status: Inside CWD Management Zone. Hunting Baiting Window: Sept 1 - Dec 31, private land. Year-Round Allowance: Food plots.

Violations of AGFC Code 07.06 inside the CWD Management Zone are wildlife violations enforced by AGFC conservation officers carrying state fines plus potential loss of hunting privileges. Springdale Chapter 14 nuisance citations for wildlife-feeding that creates a sanitation or safety problem are municipal violations with city fines and abatement orders requiring removal of feed stations and clean-up of attractant material. Continuing-violation penalties may accrue daily until the feeding stops. Bird feeders that draw rodents can trigger separate Chapter 14 vermin-nuisance citations from Code Enforcement.

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

Pet Limits

Springdale Municipal Code Chapter 14 (Animals) does not publish a numeric cap on the total number of dogs or cats per household, and instead relies on rabies-vaccination, at-large, vicious-animal, and free-roaming-cat sterilization rules (including Section 14-37 requiring sterilization of free-roaming cats) plus general nuisance authority. Conditions that cross the line into neglect or hoarding escalate to charges under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-103 (Cruelty to Animals - Class A misdemeanor) and Section 5-62-104 (Aggravated Cruelty - Class D felony).

Key details: Numeric Cap: None published in Chapter 14. Free-Roaming Cats: Must be sterilized - Sec. 14-37. Rabies Vaccination: Required - A.C.A. Section 20-19-303. Vicious Dog Permit: $100/year if adjudicated. Liability Insurance: $50,000 (dangerous dogs).

Because Springdale does not publish a numeric pet cap, citations focus on the surrounding rules: failure to vaccinate a dog against rabies under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 20-19-303, sanitation or odor nuisance under Chapter 14, noise from barking under Chapter 50, and free-roaming intact cats under Section 14-37. Penalties are municipal fines plus abatement orders, with daily continuing-violation accrual. Cruelty and neglect escalations are prosecuted under Section 5-62-103 (Class A misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and $2,500 fine) and Section 5-62-104 (Class D felony, up to six years and $10,000).

The Bottom Line

Springdale is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Springdale, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Springdale's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.