Fort Smith, AR Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Coverage cap
- 40% of front/side yard
- Surface required
- concrete, asphalt, or pavers
- Exempt space
- one, up to 9x19 feet
- Paving permit fee
- $30
- Applies to
- one- and two-family homes
Summary
Fort Smith bans parking on unimproved front or side yards at one- and two-family homes, requiring concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers and capping paved parking area at 40% of the yard.
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to cause the vehicle to be parked or stored on an unimproved surface on the front yard or exterior side yard of any one- or two-family dwelling structure or on any portion of an adjacent or contiguous undeveloped property. The improved surface shall consist of concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers. The improved area for parking vehicles in a front yard shall be limited to 40 percent of the gross front or exterior side yard land area. The following exemptions shall apply:
(1) Each one- or two-family dwelling structure shall be permitted one exempt parking space located on the property. The size of the exempt parking space shall not exceed nine feet by 19 feet and shall be contiguous to the property's driveway. If the exempt parking is not maintained with adequate grasses, plants, or landscaping materials to prevent the area from becoming rutted or muddy and thereafter is identified as being in violation of this provision, the property owner shall be required to pave the designated parking area in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) An existing gravel, loose aggregate, rock, or SB2 driveway shall be permitted to remain unless it deteriorates so that more than 50 percent of the surface is composed of dirt, grass and weeds. An existing driveway of the gravel, loose aggregate, rock or SB2 may be expanded with similar material but not to exceed the 40 percent of the gross front or exterior side yard land area.
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
Section 14-52 makes it unlawful to park or store a vehicle on an unimproved (grass, dirt, unpaved) surface in the front yard or exterior side yard of a one- or two-family dwelling. The improved surface must be concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers, and paved parking area is capped at 40 percent of the gross front or exterior side yard. Each home gets one exempt parking space up to nine feet by 19 feet next to the driveway, and existing gravel driveways may stay unless they degrade past 50 percent dirt, grass, or weeds. Building a new hard-surface parking area requires a $30 permit, and vehicles may sit temporarily on grass for family gatherings (24 hours) or visiting guests (up to seven days).
Violations & Fines
Parking on bare grass or dirt beyond the exemptions, exceeding the 40 percent coverage cap, or paving without a permit is enforced under Sec. 1-9's general penalty for code violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park on gravel or grass in my Fort Smith front yard?
Do I need a permit to pave a parking area at my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
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