6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washington County, Arkansas.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Washington County broadly allows chickens, cattle, horses, and other livestock on rural and agricultural parcels, core to the region's poultry economy. City limits like Fayetteville cap backyard flocks.
Ark. Code § 2-4-102 (Right to Farm Act — Definition)
'Agricultural operation' or 'farming operation' means an agricultural, silvicultural, or aquacultural facility or pursuit conducted, in whole or in part, including: (A) The care and production of livestock and livestock products, poultry and poultry products, apiary products, and plant and animal production for nonfood uses
Washington County requires dogs be controlled and not run at large; specific leash rules are set by city ordinance. Statewide, every dog and cat must be vaccinated against rabies under Ark. Code 20-19-305.
Ark. Code § 20-19-305 (Vaccination for dogs, cats, and other animals required)
All dogs, cats, and other animals shall be vaccinated against rabies as required by the State Board of Health.
Arkansas has no statewide breed ban, and Washington County imposes no breed-specific rules. Fayetteville is notably pit-bull-friendly and enforces behavior-based dangerous-dog rules rather than breed bans.
Beekeeping is allowed across Washington County. Under the Arkansas Apiary Act, Ark. Code 2-22-110, beekeepers must register their colonies with the State Plant Board; cities add hive limits and setbacks.
Ark. Code § 2-22-110 (Beekeeper registration)
A person owning, leasing, or possessing bees within ten (10) days after coming into ownership or possession of bees or before moving bees from outside the State of Arkansas, shall file with the State Plant Board an application for registration.
Washington County restricts dangerous exotic animals through state wildlife law. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulates native wildlife, and large carnivores such as big cats and bears face strict possession limits.
Feeding deer and other wildlife is discouraged across Washington County to curb nuisance and disease. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rules restrict deer feeding, and secured trash prevents drawing coyotes and bears.
1 cities in Washington County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Washington County Ordinance Hub →