Environmental Rules in Little Rock, AR (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Little Rock, Arkansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Little Rock requires a city grading permit before major land disturbance, with drainage and erosion controls mandatory citywide and no exceptions in the floodplain.
Little Rock Grading & Drainage Permit
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock City Code § 29-186(c)-(d)
All construction work shall include appropriate drainage and erosion control measures to protect neighboring properties. All land alteration on properties within the designated floodplain requires a grading permit without exception.(d)Grading permits...shall be required for any of the following activities:(1)A top of hill or hillside cuts or fills greater than ten (10) feet vertical.(2)Any cons...
Erosion Control
Little Rock requires a grading permit before clearing, filling, cutting, or construction disturbing land, and mandates erosion and sediment control measures to protect neighboring properties and waterways throughout construction.
Little Rock Grading & Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsSec. 29-186(c)
A grading permit is required for land alteration activities specified in this section. All construction work shall include appropriate drainage and erosion control measures to protect neighboring properties. All land alteration on properties within the designated floodplain requires a grading permit without exception.
Flood Zones
Any grading, fill, construction or utility work in a Little Rock special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit under Sec. 13-55, reviewed by the mayor as floodplain administrator. Basement foundations are flatly banned in flood zones, and denied applicants can appeal to the city's board of directors sitting as the appeal board.
Little Rock Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsSec. 13-55, Sec. 13-58(a), Sec. 13-59(14)-(15)
Sec. 13-55. A floodplain development permit is required for all structural development, placement of manufactured structures, clearing, grading, mining, drilling, dredging, placement of fill, excavating, watercourse alteration, drainage improvements, roadway or bridge construction, individual water or sewer installations or any other development in a special flood hazard area to ensure conforma...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Sec. 34-67 of the Little Rock Code stops licensed tour service vehicles from sitting with the engine idling while stopped or parked, allowing it only while passengers are getting on or off, and sets a shutdown checklist for leaving one unattended.
Little Rock Tour Vehicle Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsSec. 34-67.
(a)Limitations on engines running. No tour service vehicle may stop or park with engines idling except to load and unload passengers.(b)Idling. No person driving or in charge of a tour service vehicle shall permit a tour service vehicle to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, effectively setting the brakes, and, when the vehicle is standing upon any grade, t...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Little Rock's AE and A1-30 flood zones must sit at least one foot above the published base flood elevation, certified by a licensed engineer or surveyor.
Little Rock Flood Elevation & Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSec. 13-60(1)(a)(1)
For all new residential structures, the top surface of the lowest floor (including all machinery and equipment) must have an elevation at least one (1) foot or more above the published base flood elevation (BFE). This elevation must be documented on an elevation certificate properly completed by a professional engineer, surveyor or architect licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas.
Looking for Pulaski County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Little Rock city rules.
Environmental Rules in Pulaski County →