Weed control in Fort Smith operates at two levels. Locally, Chapter 16 (Nuisances) of the Fort Smith Municipal Code enforces the 10-inch grass-and-weed standard through Neighborhood Services, with abatement authority under A.C.A. §14-54-901+. At the state level, the Arkansas Plant Act (A.C.A. §2-16-101+) and the Nursery Fraud Act (A.C.A. §2-21-101+) administered by the Arkansas State Plant Board declare noxious weeds and certain plant pests a public nuisance, with priority targets including Johnson grass, nut grass, and wild garlic.
Fort Smith's weed-control framework runs through Chapter 16 (Nuisances) of the Fort Smith Municipal Code, with the City Administrator and Neighborhood Services empowered to order abatement of overgrown vegetation exceeding 10 inches on lots, alleys, easements, and rights-of-way. Authority flows from A.C.A. §14-54-901 et seq., which authorizes cities of the first and second class to order owners to cut weeds, remove garbage and rubbish, and abate other unsanitary conditions on seven days' notice, with the City performing the work and liening the property if the owner fails to comply. At the state level, the Arkansas Plant Act (A.C.A. §2-16-101 et seq., administered by the Arkansas State Plant Board within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture) declares plant diseases, insect pests, and noxious weeds a public nuisance. Arkansas's noxious-weed and 'objectionable weed' lists historically include Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), nut grass (Cyperus rotundus), wild onion and wild garlic (Allium spp.), and other targets primarily affecting row-crop agriculture. The Nursery Fraud Act (A.C.A. §2-21-101 through 113) regulates the sale and distribution of nursery stock and controls movement of plant material that could spread regulated pests. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (uaex.uada.edu) and the U of A Division of Agriculture publish identification guides for Arkansas invasive plants and noxious weeds. Commercial pesticide application requires Arkansas State Plant Board licensing under A.C.A. §20-20-201+ (Arkansas Pesticide Use and Application Act).
Failure to abate weeds after the seven-day notice under A.C.A. §14-54-901+ authorizes Fort Smith to cut at the owner's expense and lien the property, with potential misdemeanor prosecution in Fort Smith District Court. Knowingly cultivating, selling, or distributing a state-listed noxious weed violates the Arkansas Plant Act (A.C.A. §2-16-101+) and exposes the violator to State Plant Board civil penalties, quarantine, and destruction orders. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application violates the Arkansas Pesticide Use and Application Act with State Plant Board penalties separate from local code enforcement.
Fort Smith, AR
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