Animal Ordinances in Fayetteville, AR (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Fayetteville, Arkansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Fayetteville allows female chickens and ducks, no roosters: four on lots up to 5,000 sq ft, scaling to a maximum of 20 on larger lots. Coops sit 25 feet from a neighbor's home. Traditional livestock is barred outside agricultural zoning.
Fayetteville Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsFayetteville, AR, UDC Sec. 164.04(B) (Urban Agriculture - Fowl)
Allowed fowl shall include ducks and/or female chickens only. No roosters shall be allowed. ... A maximum of four (4) fowl shall be allowed on lots 5,000 square feet and smaller. For lots larger than 5,000 square feet, one (1) additional fowl shall be allowed for every additional 1,250 square feet, up to a maximum number of twenty (20) fowl.
Dog Leash Laws
Fayetteville prohibits dogs and cats from running at large: they must be leashed, in an enclosure, or on a compliant trolley when off the owner's property. Chaining a dog to a fixed point is banned, and citywide microchipping is mandatory.
Fayetteville Dog Leash & At-Large Laws
Heavy RestrictionsFayetteville, AR, Code of Ordinances Sec. 92.02(F); Sec. 92.22
No dog shall be chained or staked to a fixed point. Dogs shall be kept in an enclosure or by trolley system, so placed that the animal may not intrude on other property, whether public or private, and provide adequate room for normal postural adjustments, exercise, and access to water, food, and shelter.
Breed Restrictions
Fayetteville has no breed-specific ban: pit bulls and other breeds are legal. The city regulates dogs by behavior. Any dog can be declared dangerous or vicious and face muzzle, locked-enclosure, insurance, and signage requirements.
Fayetteville Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsFayetteville, AR, Code of Ordinances Sec. 92.26(F); Sec. 92.31
All vicious animals shall be confined in a locked enclosure. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor a vicious animal upon any premises which does not have a locked enclosure. The owner shall display signs stating "Beware of Vicious Animal" along with a symbol for same easily seen by children.
Beekeeping
Fayetteville allows backyard beehives under UDC Sec. 164.04: two hives on lots up to 5,000 sq ft, up to four on larger lots. Hives sit 20 feet from a fenced property line, must be registered with the state, and Africanized bees are banned.
Fayetteville Beekeeping Regulations
Some RestrictionsFayetteville, AR, UDC Sec. 164.04(C) (Urban Agriculture - Bees)
A maximum of two (2) hives shall be allowed on lots 5,000 square feet and smaller. For lots larger than 5,000 square feet, one (1) additional hive shall be allowed for every additional 2,500 square feet up to a maximum of four (4) hives. All hives shall be located at least 20 feet from a securely fenced property line. Hives shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from an unfenced property line.
Exotic Pets
Fayetteville bans keeping wild animals as pets: primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, wolves, coyotes, venomous snakes, and big cats are all prohibited under Sec. 92.28. Display or exhibition of wild animals is barred outside zoos and circuses.
Fayetteville Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFayetteville, AR, Code of Ordinances Sec. 92.28(A); Sec. 92.01 (definition of wild animal)
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet within the corporate limits of the city.
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding or baiting deer is illegal throughout Fayetteville, which sits in Arkansas's CWD Management Zone. State Game & Fish Regulation 07.06 bans putting out food, grain, minerals, or lures for wildlife; Code Compliance enforces it with the City Prosecutor.
Fayetteville Wildlife & Deer Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsArkansas Game & Fish Commission Regulation 07.06 (Baiting and Feeding Prohibited Inside the CWD Management Zone)
It is unlawful to place or deposit foodstuffs, scents, lures, grains, minerals, pelletized feed, or other materials for the purpose of hunting, attracting, or enticing wildlife for any reason inside the CWD Management Zone.
Looking for Washington County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fayetteville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Washington County →