Fort Smith, AR Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Fort Smith, AR, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Fort Smith City Code § 18-154(c)
- Approval needed
- parks dept. administrative authority
- Storm exemption
- storm-damaged trees exempt
- Scope
- public grounds/parks only, not private land
Summary
Removing any tree from a Fort Smith city park or public ground requires prior approval from the parks department's administrative authority under Code § 18-154(c).
Trees shall not be removed from public grounds unless approval is received from the administrative authority. Trees severely damaged or downed from storms or disasters are exempt.
(d) It shall be a violation of this article to damage, destroy or mutilate any tree within public grounds or attach or place any rope or wire (other than one to support a young or broken tree), sign, poster, handbill or any other thing to any such tree.
(e) No employee of the parks and recreation department shall top or cut back to stubs the crown of any tree on public grounds.
(f) It shall be a violation of this article for any commercial tree pruner/service to top any tree on public grounds.
(g) The parks and recreation department shall have the right to prune, maintain and remove any tree on public grounds which interferes with any traffic control device or sign.
(h) Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes where required pruning practices are impractical may be exempt from this article by the administrative authority.
(i) It shall be a violation of this article for the use of tree spurs or climbing spikes on trees located on public grounds except with specific written permission of the administrative authority.
(j) It shall be a violation of this article to deposit, store, or maintain any stone, brick, sand, concrete, lumber, tile, pipe, equipment, or other material which reasonably may be expected to impede the free passage of water, air or fertilizer to the roots
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Fort Smith City Code § 18-154(c) bars removal of trees from public grounds, parks, streetscapes, medians, and other parks-department property, unless the administrative authority designated by the city administrator approves first. Trees that are severely damaged or downed by storms or disasters are exempt from the approval requirement. The same article also bans damaging, mutilating, or topping trees on public grounds, and forbids commercial tree services from topping any public-grounds tree. This permit rule covers only trees on city parks and public grounds; it does not reach tree removal on private property, which falls outside Article VI of Chapter 18.
Violations & Fines
Removing a public-grounds tree without administrative-authority approval, or topping/mutilating one, violates Chapter 18 Article VI and is subject to the penalty set in Sec. 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in a Fort Smith park?
Does this rule apply to trees on my own property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
Compare Fort Smith to another location·View the Arkansas landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.