Business Licensing & Operations in Fort Smith, AR (2026)

Fort Smith City Code § 14-155

Sexually oriented businesses not already lawfully operating on the effective date of the ordinance...shall be permitted only in zoning districts commercial heavy (C-5), industrial moderate (I-2) and industrial heavy (I-3)...The sexually oriented business may not be operated within: a.1,000 feet of a church or other place of public worship;...g.1,000 feet of a residence;h.1,000 feet of another s...

Fort Smith City Code § 27-201 (definitions); § 27-400, Appendix A (Land Use Matrix)

Tattoo/body piercing parlor means an establishment whose principal business activity, either in terms of operations or as held out to the public, is the practice of one or more of the following: (1)Placing of designs, letters, figures, symbols, or other marks upon or under the skin of any person, using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration of the skin by means of th...

Fort Smith City Code § 27-201 (definitions); § 27-400, Appendix A (Land Use Matrix)

Cigar, cigarette or tobacco store means a place where cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco and related items are sold at retail. City shall mean the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. City administrator means the chief administrative officer of the city. Classroom means a room in which teaching or learning takes place and which can be found in all kinds of educational institutions. Cleaner, ...

Fort Smith City Code §§ 13-278, 13-280

Any person carrying on or engaging in for profit the business of purchasing secondhand articles ... shall maintain a daily register of the names and addresses of all parties from whom such purchases are made with the description of the article purchased from such person. ... A signed copy of the daily register required by section 13-278 shall be furnished by mail or personal delivery to the chi...

Fort Smith City Code § 13-181

No person shall engage in the business of a pawnbroker without first obtaining an occupation license required by the provisions of this chapter. No convicted felon may be granted an occupation license to engage in the business of being a pawnbroker.

Fort Smith City Code § 27-338-4(F)(2), (4)

There shall be no occupational activity on the premises outside of the residence and the occupational activity shall be incidental and subordinate to the primary use of the premises. 3. No sign may be used in the operation of the business. 4. No outdoor display of any goods or services and no outdoor storage of materials or equipment are allowed. 5. The home occupation is required to be r...