Fort Smith, AR Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas (approximately 89,000 population) and the seat of Sebastian County. Recreational and utility vehicle storage on residential lots is regulated under Section 14-55 of the Fort Smith Municipal Code (Chapter 14, Miscellaneous Provisions and Offenses). The ordinance defines recreational and utility vehicles to include travel trailers, folding tent trailers, motor homes, truck campers removed from a truck or pickup, horse trailers, boat trailers with or without boats, and utility trailers. It is unlawful to park such a vehicle on any street or right-of-way classified as residential or as a residential collector by the city master street plan, or in a front or exterior side yard setback area as defined in Chapter 27 (Unified Development Ordinance) on any property zoned residential or utilized for residential purposes. The Code provides three limited exceptions: (1) a recreational or utility vehicle may be temporarily parked in the identified building setbacks for no more than four days; (2) it may be parked under a carport or structure approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment or that exists as a legal non-conforming structure; and (3) guests may reside in a recreational or utility vehicle on the host's premises for no longer than two weeks in any 90-day period, with parking in setbacks permitted during that period. The companion screening rule at Section 14-52 governs vehicles parked on residentially zoned property generally. Section 14-50 requires that vehicles be registered to park on residential streets and that they be moved every 72 hours.