Little Rock, AR Building Safety: Anti-Mansionization (2026)

The Hillcrest Design Overlay District was created to protect the neighborhood's early-1900s architectural character, and it overlays the underlying R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning with its own bulk math instead of a simple size ceiling. Under Sec. 55. 50. Buying an adjoining lot does not proportionally raise the allowance, and any lot over 10,000 square feet is calculated in the formula as if it were only 10,000 square feet. Sec. 11 defines FAR as enclosed floor area on every level, including halls, stairways, elevator shafts and attached garages, with unfinished storage areas and floored attics counted at half their measured area; crawlspaces, unenclosed porches, decks and carports open on at least two sides are excluded entirely.

Sec. 14(B) caps total lot coverage under roof at 50 percent, rising to 60 percent on lots of 4,500 square feet or less, and Sec. 14(E) caps building height at 39 feet measured from the 'grade plane' to the highest roof ridge, requiring new construction to sit within one story of the adjacent houses. Per Sec. 12(B), these standards apply to new construction, to redevelopment exceeding 50 percent of a structure's replacement value, to any expansion, and whenever a permit is sought for exterior improvements; routine repairs and interior work are exempt.

Structures predating the district's July 17, 2007 effective date are grandfathered as nonconforming under article III. An owner who cannot meet the standards can seek relief through the planned zoning district (PZD) process and a variance hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment under Sec. 9.