Lot coverage in Fort Smith is regulated by the Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27 of the Fort Smith Municipal Code) and is set district-by-district in Article 27-400 (Zoning Districts) as part of each district's bulk standards. Lower-density residential districts have stricter coverage caps than higher-density residential, mixed-use, commercial and industrial districts. Stormwater impacts on larger projects are reviewed under the City's stormwater management ordinance and the Arkansas DEQ NPDES Phase II MS4 framework.
The Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27 of the Fort Smith Municipal Code) establishes maximum lot coverage in each zoning district as part of the bulk standards in Article 27-400 (Zoning Districts). Lower-density single-family residential districts have stricter coverage caps to preserve open space and stormwater infiltration; higher-density RH, mixed-use, commercial and industrial districts allow more coverage. Article 27-600 (General Development Standards) provides supplemental rules applicable across districts, including standards for accessory structures, parking surfaces and impervious areas. Lot coverage is verified at building-permit application via the plot plan submitted to Fort Smith Building Safety (623 Garrison Ave., Suite 405; 479-784-1051) and is checked again at final inspection. Larger earth-disturbance projects (over one acre, per the federal Construction General Permit framework administered by Arkansas DEQ under NPDES Phase II) require separate stormwater pollution prevention plans and erosion-and-sediment-control measures. Variance from the coverage limit requires application to the Fort Smith Board of Zoning Adjustment under Article 27-200, with the applicant showing practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship consistent with A.C.A. §14-56-422.
Exceeding the maximum lot coverage in Article 27-400 is a zoning violation enforceable by Fort Smith Planning and Code Enforcement, including refusal of a Certificate of Occupancy until the parcel is brought into compliance, citation to Fort Smith District Court under Chapter 27, and stop-work orders for active construction. Each day of continuing violation may be cited as a separate offense. NPDES Phase II violations on larger projects are enforceable separately by Arkansas DEQ.
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