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Sebastian County, AR Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Minimum setback
25 feet from road right-of-way
Applies to
Construction of any building
Exception process
Setback Appeals Committee approval
Committee members
Road Supt., 2 Quorum Court, County Judge
Governing ordinance
Ord. 98-17, passed 8-18-98

Summary

Every building in unincorporated Sebastian County must sit at least 25 feet back from the county road right-of-way. There is no zoning code, so this single flat setback is the only dimensional standard in the county's ordinances.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Smith has its own setback rules rules that differ from Sebastian County's county-level regulations. If you live in Fort Smith, check the city-specific page instead.

(A) The minimum setback from the county road right-of-way shall be 25 feet for the construction of any building. (B) Any exceptions to a minimum 25-foot building setback must be approved by the Setback Appeals Committee, consisting of the Road Superintendent, two Quorum Court members and the County Judge.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-62: 2026 S-62 contains Local legislation current through April 21, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Sebastian County has no zoning ordinance, so there are no separate front, side, or rear yard setbacks by district the way a zoned city would have. 01(A) requires a minimum setback of 25 feet from the county road right-of-way for the construction of any building anywhere in the unincorporated area. 01(B) creates a Setback Appeals Committee made up of the Road Superintendent, two Quorum Court members, and the County Judge, and any departure from the 25-foot minimum must be approved by that committee before construction proceeds.

23, signaling that the 25-foot line is meant to protect the county road right-of-way and sightlines rather than to separate uses. Because this is the only setback figure printed anywhere in the code, it governs every building type in the unincorporated county, from a house to an accessory structure, unless the applicant secures Setback Appeals Committee approval for a smaller distance.

Violations & Fines

Building within the 25-foot road setback without Setback Appeals Committee approval is enforced through the general penalty at Section 10.99: a fine of up to $500 for a first offense (up to $1,000 for a repeat offense), and up to $250 per day for a continuing violation, since Chapter 150 does not set its own penalty schedule and instead cross-references Section 10.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back from the road must I build in unincorporated Sebastian County?
25 feet from the county road right-of-way, for any building, under Section 150.01(A). This is the only setback figure in the county code because the county does not zone.
Are there different setbacks for different zoning districts?
No. Sebastian County has no zoning ordinance, so Section 150.01's flat 25-foot road setback applies countywide to any building, regardless of use or lot type.
Can I get an exception to the 25-foot setback?
Yes, but only through the Setback Appeals Committee named in Section 150.01(B), consisting of the Road Superintendent, two Quorum Court members, and the County Judge, who must approve any reduction before construction.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sebastian County

All Sebastian County rules

Compare Sebastian County to another location·View the Arkansas building setbacks & zoning overview

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