How Little Rock Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Little Rock maintains 140 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Little Rock falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Native Plants

Little Rock's 10-inch weed-height limit only applies to uncultivated growth, so residents can plant native wildflower beds, pollinator gardens, or other maintained natural landscaping of any height without violating the nuisance code.

Key details: Height limit for uncultivated growth: 10 inches. Cultivated/native plantings: exempt from height cap. First-offense fine: $50 plus court costs. 3rd+ offense fine: $200 per citation. Governing code: Sec. 20-1 & 20-2.

First offense: $50 plus court costs. Second citation on the same lot in a calendar year: $100. Third and later citations: $200 each, per Sec. 20-1(4)-(5).

Little Rock is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

Composting

Little Rock lets residents compost yard waste and animal waste from their own property, but the pile can't become a nuisance and must follow state ADPC&E Regulation 22, with animal waste or garbage covered in soil.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 28-7, Little Rock Code. Who may compost freely: Residents, own property only. Soil cover: Required over animal waste/garbage. State overlay: Must follow ADPC&E Regulation 22. Max penalty: $1,000 fine, $500/day continuing.

Composting that becomes a nuisance, or animal waste/garbage left uncovered, can draw a citation under Sec. 1-9 -- a fine up to $1,000, or up to $500 per day if the violation continues.

Rainwater Harvesting

Little Rock allows rain barrels for collecting roof runoff, but the code sets screening, covering, and mosquito-proofing requirements under the city's nuisance ordinance.

Key details: Rain barrels: Expressly allowed. Screening: Required from view. Cover: Lid or mosquito screen, locked. Overflow outlet: Must be screened too. Governing section: City Code Sec. 20-2(a)(2)d.

Nonconforming rain barrels (unscreened, unlidded, or unlocked) are prosecuted as a Sec. 20-2 nuisance violation, same as trash or overgrown weeds, via written notice and abatement.

Weed Ordinances

Little Rock bans grass, weeds, or uncultivated plants taller than 10 inches on any lot, along sidewalks, parkways, or alleys, with escalating fines starting at $50 for property owners who violate the rule.

Key details: Height limit: 10 inches maximum for grass/weeds. First-offense fine: $50 plus court costs. Repeat fines: $100 second, $200 third+. Enforcement: Written notice, 7-day cure period. Unpaid abatement: City can bill owner, file lien.

First offense: $50 fine plus court costs. Second offense at the same parcel in a calendar year: $100. Third and later offenses: $200 each, per Sec. 20-1(5).

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Little Rock requires required or preserved trees that die or are removed to be replaced, either one-for-one within the first year or by a credit-based formula after that.

Key details: First-year dieback: Replace one-for-one. After year one: Replace per tree credit chart. ROW tree removal: Replace within 6 months. Min. replacement caliper: 3 in. (50%), 4 in. balance. Enforcement: City official, Sec. 15-7.

The city official can issue a written notice of violation, and noncompliance can trigger a stop-work order, citation, and revocation or withholding of building permits and the certificate of occupancy.

Tree Trimming

Little Rock requires owners to prune trees along public roadways to keep 14 feet of clearance over streets and 8 feet over sidewalks, and bans tree topping.

Key details: Street clearance: 14 feet minimum. Sidewalk clearance: 8 feet minimum. Tree topping: Specifically prohibited. Crape myrtle minimum height: 6 feet to qualify as tree. Max fine: $1,000 (or $500/day continuing).

General Code penalty (Sec. 1-9) applies: up to a $1,000 fine per violation, doubled for repeats, or up to $500 per day for a continuing violation like unmaintained clearance.

The Bottom Line

Little Rock'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 Little Rock is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Little Rock 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.