Fayetteville, AR Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible Space
- No fixed mandate
- Uncontrolled Fire
- Public nuisance (Sec. 94.04)
- Cleared Brush
- Free yard-waste pickup
- Compost Site
- 1708 S. Armstrong Ave.
Summary
Fayetteville has no defensible-space mandate, but an uncontrolled brush or grass fire is a declared public nuisance under Code Sec. 94.04, and the fire department can abate it and bill the responsible party. Free yard-waste and compost programs handle cleared vegetation.
Any fire on any forest lands, cut-over, brush lands or grass lands burning uncontrolled is declared a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life or property. Any person responsible for either the starting or the existence of such fire is required to control or extinguish it immediately.
Full Breakdown
Arkansas imposes no statewide defensible-space requirement, and Fayetteville does not force homeowners to clear brush to a fixed setback. It does, however, treat neglected fire risk as a nuisance: Code Sec. 94.04 declares any brush or grass fire burning uncontrolled a public nuisance, lets an organized fire suppression force extinguish it, and recovers the cost from whoever is responsible. Rather than burning cleared brush, the Fayetteville Fire Department steers residents to free weekly yard-waste pickup, free annual bulky-brush collection, and the compost facility at 1708 S. Armstrong Avenue with chipping. Burning brush is legal only with a residential burn permit and the precautions in Sec. 94.03. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division provides wildfire-prevention guidance statewide.
Violations & Fines
Letting a brush or grass fire burn uncontrolled is a public nuisance under Sec. 94.04; the fire department may extinguish it and recover suppression costs from the responsible party by civil action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to clear brush around my Fayetteville home?
How do I get rid of cleared brush?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the Arkansas fire regulations overview
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