Fort Smith, AR Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Sign regulation in Fort Smith sits at the intersection of zoning authority granted by A.C.A. §14-56-416 and First Amendment doctrine. The U.S. Supreme Court in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) held that content-based sign regulations are subject to strict scrutiny; municipalities can regulate physical characteristics but cannot differentiate based on message (real estate signs treated differently from political signs treated differently from home-business signs is unconstitutional). Fort Smith's UDO sign regulations must comply with Reed's content-neutrality requirement. For home occupations, typical rules include: maximum sign area of approximately 1 to 2 square feet, wall-mounted only (no freestanding or pole signs in residential districts), non-illuminated, no animated or flashing elements, and no off-premises display. Off-premises advertising in residential districts is generally prohibited entirely. Major home occupations approved by special use permit may receive specific signage allowances in the Planning Commission's approval. Fort Smith Code Enforcement responds to complaints. Sign variance requests go to the Board of Zoning Adjustment under A.C.A. §14-56-416(b)(2)(C)(ii). Historic district properties (Fort Smith has several historic districts including parts of downtown listed on the National Register) face additional review where local historic preservation regulation applies.