Fort Smith does not impose a blanket citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles, but overnight on-street parking is subject to the 72-hour move rule of Section 14-50, the residential-street commercial-vehicle ban of Section 14-54, the recreational-vehicle restrictions of Section 14-55, and signed local restrictions enforced by the Fort Smith Police Department. The Arkansas state framework at A.C.A. §27-51-1301 et seq. provides the underlying parking law.
Overnight parking in Fort Smith is governed by several overlapping provisions rather than a single overnight ban. Section 14-50 of the Fort Smith Municipal Code requires that vehicles parked on a residential street be registered and be moved every 72 hours at minimum; vehicles left longer are subject to tag, citation and impoundment. Section 14-54 (Commercial Vehicles) bars commercial vehicles from residential streets and properties at all times, day or night. Section 14-55 (Recreational and Utility Vehicles) bars RVs, motor homes, travel trailers, boat trailers and utility trailers from residential streets and from the front/exterior side yard setbacks of residential property except for limited temporary or guest use. Section 14-51 prohibits parking on unimproved surfaces in residential front or exterior side yards. State law at A.C.A. §27-51-1301 et seq. sets the statewide setbacks (fire hydrants 15 ft, crosswalks 20 ft, stop signs 30 ft) that apply overnight as well. Downtown overnight parking is regulated by Chapter 24 (Traffic) and signed restrictions; the Sebastian County Courthouse area retains time-limited parking managed by the County. Following the August 5, 2025 board vote, downtown parking meters have been removed.
Vehicles left more than 72 hours in violation of Section 14-50 may be tagged, ticketed and impounded as unattended vehicles under A.C.A. §27-50-1201 et seq. Overnight violations of Sections 14-54 (commercial) and 14-55 (RV/trailer) are misdemeanors prosecuted in Fort Smith District Court under the general penalty provisions of the Fort Smith Municipal Code. Signed tow-away and no-parking zone violations are enforceable on-the-spot by the Fort Smith Police Department.
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