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Fort Smith, AR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Core duty
Safe and sanitary condition required
Responsible party
Owner or designated agent
Repair/vacate deadline
30 days from written notice
Ultimate remedy
City demolition, cost liened to owner
Appeal window
15 days to board of adjustments

Summary

Fort Smith requires every building, new or existing, to be kept in a safe and sanitary condition, with the owner directly responsible for maintenance under the city's unsafe-structures article.

All buildings or structures, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by the edition of the state fire prevention code, volumes I, II and III, in force in the city to be in a building when erected, altered or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order. The owner, or designated agent, shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings and structures.

View official code

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

Article III of Chapter 16 (Sec. 16-71 through 16-97) gives the building official authority to declare a structure unsafe and force repair, vacation, or demolition. Sec. 16-72 sets the baseline duty: buildings must stay in a safe and sanitary condition, with required fire-code safeguards kept in working order, and the owner or designated agent bears responsibility. Once the building official finds a structure unsafe (Sec. 16-87), the owner gets a written notice with 30 days to repair, vacate, or demolish (Sec. 16-88); failure lets the board of directors order the city to demolish the structure and lien the property for the cost (Sec. 16-97).

Violations & Fines

Failing to maintain a safe, sanitary building or to comply with a repair/vacate/demolish order is a misdemeanor under Sec. 16-74, punishable per Sec. 1-9; unresolved unsafe structures can be demolished by the city and liened to the owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who enforces Fort Smith's dangerous-building rules?
The building official, under Chapter 16, Article III: they inspect, issue unsafe-building notices, and can refer a property to the board of directors for demolition.
How long do I have to fix an unsafe building after notice?
30 days from the original notice to secure permits and complete repairs or demolition, with a possible 45-day extension for shown progress (Sec. 16-88, 16-96).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fort Smith

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All Fort Smith rules

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