Arkansas limits local zoning authority over agricultural operations through the Right to Farm Act and related land-use statutes. Counties and cities cannot enforce zoning that unreasonably restricts established farms protected under state agricultural law.
Arkansas Code 2-4-101 et seq. and related provisions limit local zoning authority over agricultural land uses. County zoning is generally narrower than municipal zoning under Arkansas law, and many farm activities are exempt from local land-use permitting. Established agricultural operations protected by Right to Farm cannot be zoned out of existence after the fact. Concentrated animal feeding operations remain subject to state Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy and Environment permitting, regardless of local opposition. Local rules must coexist with state agricultural protections statewide.
Local zoning ordinances conflicting with Right to Farm protections may be unenforceable, and aggrieved farmers may seek declaratory or injunctive relief in state court.
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 agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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