Accessory Structures in Fort Smith, AR (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Fort Smith, Arkansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Fort Smith is a first-class city in Sebastian County, Arkansas (population approximately 89,000), regulating accessory dwelling units through its Unified Development Ordinance adopted in 2011. Arkansas has no statewide ADU preemption statute equivalent to California Government Code §66313 or Oregon ORS 197.312, so whether an ADU is permitted in Fort Smith is determined entirely by the local UDO under planning and zoning authority granted to Arkansas cities by A.C.A. §14-56-401 et seq. The UDO classifies dwelling units by district, and ADU permissibility (whether by right, by special use permit through the Planning Commission, or prohibited) depends on the underlying residential zone. The Fort Smith Code on Municode is the controlling local source: https://library.municode.com/ar/fort_smith.
Fort Smith AR ADU Rules (Fort Smith UDO 2011; A.C.A. §14-56-401+; No State ADU Preemption)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
An accessory dwelling unit in Fort Smith requires permits from two municipal tracks: a zoning permit or special use permit through the Department of Development Services confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under the Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance, and a building permit from the Fort Smith Building Official under the locally adopted International Residential Code for the construction itself. Arkansas has no statewide ADU preemption like California's SB 9 or Oregon's HB 2001, so timelines, fees, hearing requirements, and approval criteria are set entirely by Fort Smith pursuant to A.C.A. §14-56-401 et seq. and applicable local ordinances.
Fort Smith AR ADU Permits (Fort Smith Development Services; Zoning + Building Both Required)
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Arkansas has not enacted a statewide impact fee enabling statute, and Arkansas cities have historically had limited authority to impose development impact fees outside of negotiated agreements. Fort Smith does not impose general development impact fees on residential construction; ADU applicants typically face only standard zoning permit fees, building permit fees under the locally adopted IRC, and utility connection (tap) fees through Fort Smith Utilities (water and sewer) and the appropriate gas and electric utilities. School districts in Arkansas have no impact-fee authority. Recreation, traffic, and park impact fees are not generally assessed by Fort Smith on infill ADU construction.
Fort Smith AR ADU Impact Fees (No Arkansas Impact Fee Authority; Permit & Utility Tap Fees Apply)
Few RestrictionsShed Rules
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Fort Smith are regulated through two layers: (1) the Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance, which sets dimensional standards by district (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, location relative to the principal dwelling); and (2) the locally adopted International Residential Code, which under IRC R105.2 typically exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. Fort Smith property owners generally need a zoning permit from the Department of Development Services even when no building permit is required. The Fort Smith Code is hosted on Municode at https://library.municode.com/ar/fort_smith.
Fort Smith AR Shed Rules (Fort Smith UDO Accessory Structure Standards; IRC R105.2 Permit Threshold)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a Fort Smith garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or ADU) requires both (1) zoning approval under the Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance for the change of use, since the converted area no longer functions as accessory parking and may trigger off-street parking minimums or ADU classification; and (2) a building permit under the locally adopted International Residential Code. Conversions must meet IRC Chapter 3 requirements for habitable spaces including R310 emergency egress, R305 ceiling height, R314 smoke alarms, and R315 carbon monoxide alarms, and the UDO's off-street parking minimums must still be satisfied after the garage is removed.