Little Rock's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Little Rock, Arkansas, there are 5 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.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Little Rock does not require a permit for backyard cooking fires, barbecues, or outdoor fireplaces, but any other open burning, like a bonfire or brush pile, needs a fire department permit first.

Key details: Cooking/BBQ fires: No permit needed. Other open burning: Fire dept. permit required. Residential burn permit fee: $5. Bonfire/special permit fee: $50 + standby fees. Allowed fuel: Clean fuel only.

Open burning without the required permit, or burning prohibited materials, is a Code violation punishable under Sec. 1-9 by a fine up to $1,000, doubling for each repeat offense.

Propane Storage

Little Rock bans aboveground liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks in the city's designated fire districts, though tanks installed before the 1990 ordinance and compliant with state LP-gas equipment rules are grandfathered in.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 12-5, Little Rock Code. Rule: Aboveground LP-gas tanks banned in fire districts. Grandfather clause: Pre-1990 compliant tanks exempted. Farm/industrial exemption: 150 ft from property lines, 5+ acres. Max fine: $1,000 plus $500/day continuing violation.

Violating the fire-district LP-gas storage ban carries a fine up to $1,000 under the city's general penalty section, plus up to $500 per day the violation continues; the fire chief can also order a noncompliant tank removed.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Little Rock actively enforces its propane storage requirements.

Fireworks

Little Rock bans possessing, selling, manufacturing or using fireworks anywhere in the city except as the fire prevention code allows. Section 18-103 sets a blanket local restriction on top of the state fire code adopted in Chapter 12, and a separate park rule, Section 22-40, bans discharging any fireworks, or firearms, inside city parks regardless of that fire-code exception.

Key details: Core rule: No possession, sale, manufacture, or use except per fire code. Park rule: Fireworks discharge banned in all city parks. Governing sections: Sec. 18-103 (city); Sec. 22-40 (parks). Fire code adopted: 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Ch. 12. Max fine: $1,000, doubled for repeat offense.

Section 1-9(c) sets the penalty a court applies: a fine up to $1,000 for a first conviction, doubled for each repeat violation, and up to $500 per day if the violation is continuous in nature. Fireworks charges are prosecuted in Little Rock District Court, and Section 18-8 gives the city three years from the offense to bring a case.

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

Smoke Detectors

Little Rock adopts the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code's Residential volume, built on the International Residential Code, making working smoke alarms mandatory in dwellings and enforceable through the city's building permit and fire inspection process.

Key details: Governing adoption: 2021 IRC-based Residential Fire Code. Detector permit fee (1-4 units): $12.36. Each additional detector: $5.15. STR smoke alarms: All sleeping areas plus egress path. MH-unit missing detector: Treated as abatable health hazard.

Missing or inoperable required smoke alarms violate the adopted fire/residential code and are punishable under the general penalty at Sec. 1-9 (referenced by Sec. 12-27); in manufactured-home units, a lack of a required smoke detector is also an abatable housing hazard under Sec. 20-74(a)(8).

Outdoor Burning

Little Rock requires a fire department permit before any open burning, with cooking fires and outdoor fireplaces exempted.

Key details: Permit required: Yes, from fire department. Exempt: Cooking fires, barbecues, outdoor fireplaces. Lead time: Apply 3+ days ahead. Residential permit fee: $5.00. Commercial 30-day permit: $250.00.

Burning without a permit, burning prohibited materials, or violating permit conditions is punishable under the general fire-code penalty in Sec. 1-9; the fire department may also revoke permission to burn under Sec. 12-13.

Compared to other cities, Little Rock takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Little Rock is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Little Rock, 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 Little Rock's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.