Fort Smith, AR Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 10 inches
- Applies to
- Developed lots, fire zones, ROWs
- Abatement window
- 7 days after notice
- Repeat violation
- 3 orders/year is misdemeanor
Summary
Fort Smith caps weeds and grass on developed lots, fire-zone land, and adjoining rights-of-way at ten inches, with the city empowered to abate and lien noncompliant property.
All lands, except those described in subsection (1) of this section, shall be maintained so that weeds and grasses thereon shall not exceed ten inches in height.(3)All lands which lie within the fire zones of the city shall be maintained so that grasses and weeds shall not exceed ten inches in height.(4)The owners and occupants of all lands, other than those described in subsection (1) of this section, shall maintain all unopened street rights-of-way, easements for utility drainage, walking or other purposes, unopened alleys, and opened alleys other than the portion of same used for vehicular traffic, which adjoin said owners' or occupants' lands so that weeds and grasses shall not exceed ten inches in height. If any such right-of-way, easement or alley is adjoined by the lands of two property owners, then each owner and occupant shall maintain such right-of-way, easement or alley to the midpoint thereof.(5)The owners and occupants of all lands shall remove or cause to be removed all dead or dying trees and dead parts of living trees from such lands when such dead or dying trees or dead parts of trees shall constitute a hazard to personal safety or property due to the imminent possibility of their falling upon or being blown upon public property or property of other owners, or when such trees because of disease or decay constitute a nuisance and/or imminent health threat to other trees located on public property or property of other owners.
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
City Code § 16-5 sets the citywide standard: all lands other than untouched natural tracts must be maintained so weeds and grasses do not exceed ten inches in height, and the same ten-inch cap applies inside the city's fire zones and to unopened rights-of-way, easements, and alleys maintained by abutting owners. Undeveloped natural land is exempt unless it blocks sightlines or a complaint triggers a hazard finding, at which point the ten-inch standard applies there too. Inspectors confirm violations under § 16-6 before an abatement order issues under § 16-8, and the city can mow and lien the property under § 16-10 if the owner doesn't comply within seven days.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate within seven days lets the city cut the grass and lien the property for costs; three abatement orders in one calendar year is a misdemeanor under §§ 16-17, 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass and weeds legally grow in Fort Smith?
What happens if I don't cut my grass after a city notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
How Fort Smith compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Fort Smith to another location·View the Arkansas landscaping rules overview
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