Fort Smith, AR Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- RS-1 front setback
- 30 feet
- RS-1 side setback
- 10 feet
- RS-1 rear setback
- 10 feet
- Governing table
- Table 27-404-A
Summary
Fort Smith sets minimum yard setbacks by zoning district in Table 27-404-A, ranging from 20 feet in dense residential zones to 50 feet in rural-estate districts.
District Density/Min. Lot Size Min. Lot Width at Bldg. Line Min. Street Frontage Max. Lot Coverage Setbacks Ht. Front Side Street Side Rear Side/Rear Adjacent to: ... SF Low-density 14,000 sq. ft. 100 ft. 50 ft. 30% 30 10 30 10 35 ft.
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
Table 27-404-A of the unified development ordinance sets the minimum yard setbacks for every zoning district. In the residential single-family low-density (RS-1) district, the minimum setback is 30 feet from the front lot line, 10 feet on the side, 30 feet on a street side, and 10 feet in the rear. Setbacks step down in denser residential districts and step up in the rural residential-estate districts, topping out at a 50-foot front and street-side setback in the residential estate three-acre (RE-3) district. A subdivision plat's own setback line controls over the district minimum where it is more restrictive.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required setback line without an approved encroachment or variance is a zoning violation, enforceable by the city and reviewable by the board of zoning adjustment on appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a house sit from the front property line in Fort Smith?
Can Fort Smith setbacks be reduced from the table minimums?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
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