Fort Smith's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Fort Smith, Arkansas, there are 3 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.

Artificial Turf

In Fort Smith's design guidelines for new multifamily, commercial, and industrial development, Sec. 27-602-3(F)(2) bans artificial plants in required landscaping: all plant material must be living.

Key details: Applies to: New multifamily/commercial/industrial sites. Rule: Required landscaping must be living. Artificial plants: Expressly prohibited. Scope limit: Not ordinary single-family yards.

Installing artificial turf, plastic plants, or other synthetic landscape material within a required landscape area on a covered project violates Sec. 27-602-3(F)(2); the planning department can require it be replaced with living plants.

Weed Ordinances

Fort Smith caps weeds and grass on developed lots, fire-zone land, and adjoining rights-of-way at ten inches, with the city empowered to abate and lien noncompliant property.

Key details: Max height: 10 inches. Applies to: Developed lots, fire zones, ROWs. Abatement window: 7 days after notice. Repeat violation: 3 orders/year is misdemeanor.

Failure to abate within seven days lets the city cut the grass and lien the property for costs; three abatement orders in one calendar year is a misdemeanor under §§ 16-17, 1-9.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing any tree from a Fort Smith city park or public ground requires prior approval from the parks department's administrative authority under Code § 18-154(c).

Key details: Governing section: Fort Smith City Code § 18-154(c). Approval needed: parks dept. administrative authority. Storm exemption: storm-damaged trees exempt. Scope: public grounds/parks only, not private land.

Removing a public-grounds tree without administrative-authority approval, or topping/mutilating one, violates Chapter 18 Article VI and is subject to the penalty set in Sec. 1-9.

The Bottom Line

Fort Smith's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fort Smith is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Fort Smith's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.