Fort Smith does not mandate native-plant landscaping on private residential property. The Arkansas Native Plant Society, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Urban & Community Forestry program provide voluntary guidance. A maintained native or pollinator-habitat planting is distinguishable from neglected vegetation under the Chapter 16 (Nuisances) 10-inch standard. Arkansas's Right to Farm Act (A.C.A. Β§2-4-101+) provides nuisance protection for established agricultural operations.
Fort Smith takes a voluntary, education-based approach to native-plant landscaping. The Fort Smith Municipal Code does not require native species on private residential property. Resources for Fort Smith homeowners include the Arkansas Native Plant Society (anps.org), the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (uaex.uada.edu) which publishes Ozark and Arkansas River Valley native-plant guides, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Urban & Community Forestry program (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/forests/urban-community-forestry/), and the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center near Fort Smith. The Chapter 16 (Nuisances) 10-inch grass-and-weed standard remains the operative limit, but maintained, intentional native-plant or pollinator-habitat plantings read as 'cultivated gardens' rather than rank neglect for enforcement purposes β documentation of an intentional planting plan helps. Arkansas's Right to Farm Act (A.C.A. Β§2-4-101 et seq.) provides nuisance protection for established agricultural operations against complaints raised more than one year after the operation began, which can be relevant to native-meadow or pollinator-habitat plantings tied to bona fide agricultural use. Fort Smith's Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27) encourages β but does not require β native or drought-tolerant species in stormwater best-management practices and landscape buffers on commercial and multifamily sites.
Fort Smith imposes no penalties on homeowners for choosing non-native landscaping. A neglected lot can still be cited under Chapter 16 (Nuisances) for grasses and weeds over 10 inches β documentation of an intentional, maintained native-meadow plan helps establish the 'cultivated' character that takes the property out of the rank-neglect category. Arkansas's Right to Farm Act (A.C.A. Β§2-4-101+) preempts most nuisance suits against established agricultural operations, including those involving native-pollinator habitat tied to bona fide agricultural activity, when the operation predates the complaint by more than one year.
Fort Smith, AR
Swimming pools in Fort Smith must comply with the 2021 International Residential Code (Appendix G) and the Arkansas Pool Safety Act (A.C.A. 20-26-301 et seq....
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith's Chapter 27 UDO lists allowed residential fence materials (wood, metal tubing, wrought iron, stone, masonry, chain link, and listed vinyl/composi...
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith's Chapter 27 UDO does not require neighbor consent to build a fence; the owner only needs to stay on their own property and meet the city's height...
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith requires a building permit for any fence taller than 6 feet, issued by the Building Safety Division at 623 Garrison Avenue. Shorter fences must st...
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith's Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27, including Article 27-700 General Standards and Article 27-400 Zoning Districts) generally caps reside...
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith's Code of Ordinances does not impose a single fixed numerical cap on household dogs and cats, but Section 4-108 (effective July 17, 2023) requires...
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