Arkansas has not adopted a statewide EV-ready or EV Make-Ready building mandate, and the City of Fort Smith does not impose a city-specific EV-ready percentage on new construction through its Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27). EV Supply Equipment (EVSE) is permitted under existing zoning categories and requires an electrical permit issued by Fort Smith Building Safety under the 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC and National Electrical Code Article 625.
Arkansas is one of the states that has not adopted a statewide EV-ready / Make-Ready parking mandate. State EV policy runs through Arkansas Code §19-6-301, §27-14-614 and §27-24-201, with the 2023 utility-deployment framework (HB1354 / Act of 2023) clarifying that a person or entity supplying electricity exclusively to charge electric vehicles is not a public utility, and authorizing investor-owned utilities to install and own public DC fast-charging stations subject to PSC oversight. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers a Level 2 EVSE Rebate Program funded by Arkansas's portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is deploying NEVI-funded DC fast-charging sites along Interstates 40, 30 and 49 (with sites planned in the Fort Smith / I-40 corridor). The City of Fort Smith's Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 27) does not impose a city-specific EV-ready percentage on new construction; EVSE installations are treated as accessory to the underlying use (single-family residential, multifamily, commercial). Installation requires an electrical permit issued by Fort Smith Building Safety (623 Garrison Ave., Suite 405; 479-784-1051) under the adopted 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code with Arkansas amendments, and the National Electrical Code (Article 625 covers EV charging). Licensed electricians must perform the work and the installation must be inspected.
Installing EVSE without the required electrical permit is enforceable by Fort Smith Building Safety with stop-work orders, fines and refusal to issue a Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection until the work is permitted, performed by a licensed electrician under the 2021 NEC, and inspected. Commercial-site EV charging installations that affect parking layout, lighting or signage may also require Planning Department review under the UDO (Chapter 27).
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...
See how Fort Smith's ev charging rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.