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Fort Smith, AR Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

RS-1 max coverage
30%
RS-1 min lot size
14,000 sq. ft.
RS-1 setbacks
Front 30 ft, rear 10 ft
Citywide range
10%–100% by district

Summary

In Fort Smith's Residential Single-Family Low-Density district (RS-1), buildings can cover no more than 30 percent of a lot: one point on a citywide scale that runs from 10 percent in the 3-acre Residential Estate district up to 100 percent downtown.

Lot coverage means the maximum percentage of a lot which may be covered by structures. ... Sec. 27-408, RS-1 district: Density/Min. Lot Size (sq. ft.): 3 du per acre/14,000 sq. ft. | Min. Lot Width at Bldg. Line: 100 ft. | Max. Lot Coverage: 30% | Min. Street Frontage: 50 ft. | Max. Height: 35 ft.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).

Full Breakdown

Fort Smith's UDO defines 'lot coverage' as the maximum percentage of a lot that may be covered by structures. Section 27-408 sets the area and bulk standards for the RS-1 district: a minimum 14,000-square-foot lot, 100-foot lot width, 50-foot street frontage, 30 percent maximum lot coverage, and a 35-foot height cap, with setbacks of 30 feet front, 10 feet side, 30 feet street-side/corner, and 10 feet rear. The citywide dimension table, § 27-404, shows coverage climbing with density and use, 10 percent in the Residential Estate (RE-3) district, up to 65-70 percent in high-density single-family and multifamily districts, and 100 percent in Commercial Downtown.

Violations & Fines

Covering more than 30% of an RS-1 lot without a variance is a building-code and zoning violation, and the city can deny a certificate of occupancy or require the excess structure removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the maximum lot coverage in Fort Smith's RS-1 zone?
30 percent. The area and bulk table in Fort Smith City Code § 27-408 caps structures at 30% of the lot in the Residential Single-Family Low-Density district.
Does every Fort Smith residential zone have the same coverage limit?
No. Table 27-404-A ranges from 10% in the 3-acre Residential Estate district up to 65-70% in high-density single-family and multifamily zoning.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fort Smith

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsSetback RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Fort Smith rules

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