Little Rock requires a Land Alteration permit before grading, clearing, or filling that disturbs significant area. The Land Alteration and Erosion Control ordinance protects creeks, the Arkansas River, and downhill neighbors from sediment damage.
The Little Rock Land Alteration and Erosion Control ordinance, administered by Public Works, regulates grading, stripping, filling, and clearing activity. Larger projects must submit a grading plan showing silt fences, inlet protection, construction-entrance gravel pads, slope stabilization, and final reseeding. Inspectors check that best management practices stay in place from first cut through final cover. Hillside lots in west Little Rock and parcels draining to Fourche Creek or Rock Creek get extra scrutiny. Failure to maintain controls during rain events is the most common citation issued on active sites.
Stop-work orders, civil penalties, requirement to install corrective BMPs, restoration of disturbed land, and bond forfeiture if a performance bond was posted.
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock has no ordinance specifically regulating lawn ornaments. Decorative items in front and side yards are allowed without a permit, subject to genera...
Little Rock, AR
Residential holiday inflatables (snowmen, Santas, etc.) at single-family homes are not regulated by a specific Little Rock ordinance; commercial inflatable d...
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock does not have a dedicated holiday lighting ordinance. Temporary seasonal lights at single-family homes are generally allowed without a permit, su...
Little Rock, AR
Outdoor kitchens in Little Rock typically require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits through Planning and Development when they include hard plu...
Little Rock, AR
Residential backyard smokers are permitted in Little Rock and are governed by the same Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (IFC §308) clearance rules that apply to...
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock follows the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (based on the International Fire Code), which under IFC Section 308 prohibits operating charcoal grills...
See how Little Rock's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.