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Springdale codifies a property-line decibel scheme in Chapter 42 Article III (Noise) of the Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ord. No. 4496 on April 26, 2011 and amended by Ord. No. 4782 on April 8, 2014. Section 42-54 Table 1 sets 65 dBA in residential zones from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 60 dBA from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., measured at the property line.
Springdale Chapter 42 Article III Section 42-54(b) classifies construction sites as industrial zones for purposes of the property-line decibel scheme, giving them an 85 dBA daytime cap (7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.) and 80 dBA nighttime cap (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) measured at the property line. There is no clock-time construction ban. Section 42-54(d) authorizes the Chief Building Inspector to issue a 14-day emergency permit when public health and safety require exceeding the table.
Springdale Code Section 42-51 expressly folds barking dogs into the 'noise disturbance' definition. Owning, keeping or harboring any animal that 'continuously, repeatedly, or persistently, without provocation by the complainant, creates a sound which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities' is a per-se violation of Section 42-52, in addition to any Chapter 14 (Animals) provisions.
Springdale does not impose STR-specific off-street parking minimums, but Arkansas Act 1023 of 2023 expressly allows cities to regulate parking at short-term rentals. STR hosts must satisfy the parking provisions of the Springdale zoning code for the underlying residential use and avoid parking on lawns, blocked sidewalks, or fire-lane violations.
Springdale does not have a standalone short-term rental ordinance, and Arkansas Act 1023 of 2023 bars cities from prohibiting STRs outright. Hosts must comply with the Springdale business license requirement, zoning, and applicable health/safety/noise rules; the Code of Ordinances is hosted at library.municode.com/ar/springdale.
Short-term rental hosts in Springdale are responsible for guest noise under the city's general noise and nuisance provisions in the Code of Ordinances. Arkansas Act 1023 of 2023 expressly preserves municipal authority to regulate noise at STRs, so loud parties and amplified sound that disturb neighbors trigger citations regardless of guest status.
Short-term rental operators in Springdale collect stacked lodging taxes: the Arkansas 6.5% state sales tax (A.C.A. §26-52-301), the applicable Washington County or Benton County local sales tax, the City of Springdale local sales tax, and the Springdale Advertising and Promotion (A&P) tax under A.C.A. §26-75-602 et seq. Stays of 30 consecutive days or more to the same guest are generally exempt from the A&P tax.
Springdale has no STR-specific occupancy cap, but Arkansas Act 1023 of 2023 expressly authorizes cities to set health-and-safety-based occupancy limits at short-term rentals. Hosts must comply with the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) bedroom-occupancy standards adopted by the city and the underlying fire and building codes.
Springdale does not require a minimum STR liability insurance limit, but Arkansas Act 1023 of 2023 expressly authorizes cities to impose insurance requirements on short-term rentals. Hosts should carry commercial STR liability coverage (or rely on documented platform host-protection programs) because standard homeowners policies generally exclude business use.
Unlike Fort Smith, Bentonville, and Rogers, Springdale permits consumer fireworks on private property between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on July 1 through July 4, with the property owner's consent. Aerial fireworks that travel on a stick (bottle rockets, sky rockets) are prohibited inside city limits. Authority derives from Arkansas Fireworks Law (A.C.A. Section 20-22-701 et seq.) and Section 20-22-708, which preserves municipal authority to regulate fireworks.
Springdale (Washington and Benton Counties, population approximately 95,000) regulates residential fire pits and outdoor recreational fires through Chapter 46 (Fire Prevention and Protection) of the Springdale Municipal Code, which adopts the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (2021 edition, based on the 2021 International Fire Code). Recreational fire devices must be at least 25 feet from any structure, no larger than 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet high, burn only seasoned wood, be continuously attended, and use a spark screen.
Springdale does not have a California-style defensible-space program. Fire-fuel vegetation is controlled instead through the city's nuisance ordinance, which limits grass and weeds on residential property to 8 inches in height (clarified by city council in 2018) and 12 inches within 12 feet of property adjacent to a subdivision or road. Washington County's overall wildfire risk is rated low-to-moderate by the USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities tool.
Outdoor burning inside Springdale requires a burn permit issued by the Springdale Fire Marshal. The Springdale Fire Department applies a strict policy and has stated that no burning is allowed citywide even when Benton County drops its burn ban. Small recreational fires meeting the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Section 307 rules are the only exception. Washington County frequently issues countywide burn bans (such as the December 2025 ban), during which all permits are suspended.
Springdale has no city-designated Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone. Arkansas has not adopted IFC Chapter 49 (Requirements for Wildland-Urban Interface Areas) or the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code at the state level, and Springdale has not adopted them locally. Washington and Benton County overall wildfire risk is rated low-to-moderate by the USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities tool, although the surrounding Ozark National Forest and seasonal dry conditions trigger frequent county burn bans.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Springdale is governed by the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code 2021 Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), adopted by reference in Chapter 46 of the Springdale Municipal Code. AFPC 6101.2 references NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for setbacks. Above-ground residential tanks up to 125 gallons water capacity must be at least 10 feet from any important building, and aggregate residential storage on R-3 (single-family) lots is capped at 500 pounds water capacity (about 125 gallons of propane).
Recreational and utility vehicle parking on residential lots in Springdale is governed by the residential parking and surfacing rules of Chapter 130, Article 7 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) of the Springdale Zoning Ordinance, which limits paved surface in a front yard to 40 percent of the total front-yard area on single-family and two-family lots, and by Chapter 114 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Springdale Code for on-street RV and trailer parking. RV parks themselves are regulated as the C-7 Recreational Vehicle Park zoning district under Article 4.
Driveways and curb cuts in Springdale are governed by Chapter 110 (Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places) for work in the right-of-way and by Chapter 130, Article 7 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) for the access, dimensions and surface of driveways on the lot itself. Single-family and two-family residential lots are subject to a 40-percent front-yard paving cap, a durable-surface requirement, and access-drive minimums of 10 feet for dwellings under Article 7.
Commercial vehicle parking in Springdale is governed by Chapter 114 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Springdale Code, the Chapter 130 zoning rules that confine truck terminals and heavy-equipment storage to commercial and industrial districts (C-2/C-4/C-5, W-1, I-1/I-2/I-3), and the Arkansas state framework at A.C.A. §27-51-1301 et seq. Signed time limits and tow-away zones in downtown Springdale and on industrial corridors are enforced by the Springdale Police Department.
Springdale does not impose a blanket citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles, but overnight parking is subject to Chapter 114 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Springdale Code, the 2015 three-hour-front-of-home rule on residential streets, signed tow-away and no-parking zones, the Article 7 surfacing rules for on-lot parking, and the Arkansas state framework at A.C.A. §27-51-1301 et seq. Removal of unattended vehicles follows A.C.A. §27-50-1201 et seq.
Arkansas has not adopted a statewide EV-ready or EV Make-Ready building mandate, and the City of Springdale does not impose a city-specific EV-ready percentage on new construction through Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) or Chapter 22 (Buildings). EV Supply Equipment (EVSE) is permitted as an accessory use under the underlying zoning district and requires an electrical permit under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code framework (which adopts the IBC, IRC and NEC) and licensed-electrician installation.
Abandoned and unattended vehicles in Springdale are removed under the Arkansas Code framework at A.C.A. §27-50-1201 through §27-50-1224 (Removal of Unattended or Abandoned Vehicles), with the 30-day-unattended definition of 'abandoned' supplied by A.C.A. §27-50-1101. The state recovery law at A.C.A. §27-49-219 (titling, sale and disposition of abandoned vehicles) backstops the process, and on-property junked or inoperable vehicles are enforced as nuisances under Chapter 74 of the Springdale Code by Springdale Neighborhood Services.
On-street parking in Springdale is governed by Chapter 114 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Springdale Code together with the Arkansas state framework at A.C.A. §27-51-1301 et seq. A 2015 Springdale ordinance makes it unlawful, on complaint, to park a vehicle in front of a home owned by another person for more than three hours in any 24-hour period. Springdale does not operate downtown parking meters; signed time limits and tow-away zones are enforced by the Springdale Police Department.
Springdale Water Utilities (526 Oak Ave, 'Providing safe, high-quality drinking water since 1919') is the city-operated water provider, drawing finished water from Beaver Water District, which treats Beaver Lake source water on behalf of Springdale, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Bentonville. Springdale Water Utilities promotes voluntary conservation year-round and may implement mandatory restrictions during drought or supply emergencies, coordinated through Beaver Water District protocols.
Grass and weeds in the City of Springdale are regulated under the Springdale Code of Ordinances (nuisance provisions) and enforced by Neighborhood Services (479-750-8114). State authority flows from Arkansas Code A.C.A. §14-54-901 et seq. (municipal weed-abatement authority), which permits the City to order owners of lots to cut grass and weeds, give seven days' written notice, and if not abated, mow at the owner's expense and recover the cost as a lien on the property.
Routine trimming of a wholly private tree in Springdale generally does not require a City permit. Trees in the public right-of-way and street easements are maintained by City Public Works and the Streets Department. Utility line clearance is handled by Carroll Electric Cooperative and Ozarks Electric Cooperative under easement authority. Arkansas common-law self-help allows trimming a neighbor's overhanging branches to the property line, subject to liability under A.C.A. §18-60-102 (timber trespass) and A.C.A. §5-38-101+ (criminal mischief).
Weed control in Springdale operates at two levels. Locally, the Springdale Code of Ordinances enforces grass-and-weed nuisance abatement through Neighborhood Services with seven days' notice and lien authority under A.C.A. §14-54-901+. At the state level, the Arkansas Plant Act (A.C.A. §2-16-101+) and the Nursery Fraud Act (A.C.A. §2-21-101+) administered by the Arkansas State Plant Board declare noxious weeds and plant pests a public nuisance, with priority targets including Johnson grass, nut grass, and wild garlic.
Tree removal in Springdale is largely unregulated on private residential property. There is no general permit requirement to remove a tree on a private residential lot in Springdale. Public Works and the Streets Department handle trees in the City right-of-way and drainage easements. Dead or dying trees must be removed when ordered by Neighborhood Services as a nuisance under A.C.A. §14-54-901+. Land-development projects may face tree-protection conditions through Planning Commission site-plan review and AR DEQ stormwater rules.
Springdale does not mandate native-plant landscaping on private residential property. The Arkansas Native Plant Society, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (headquartered in nearby Fayetteville), and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Urban & Community Forestry program provide voluntary guidance for Ozark-region landscaping. A maintained native or pollinator-habitat planting is distinguishable from neglected vegetation under the nuisance grass-and-weed standard. Arkansas's Right to Farm Act (A.C.A. §2-4-101+) provides nuisance protection for established agricultural operations.
Backyard composting in Springdale is permitted and encouraged for residents. The City's Sanitation Department operates curbside yard-waste collection separate from regular refuse, with branch and limb size limits and a separate bulk-brush option. Open burning of leaves and brush is restricted under Arkansas DEQ Regulation 18 (Air Pollution Control Code) and Springdale Fire Department burn rules. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in nearby Fayetteville publishes Ozark-region home composting guidance.
Arkansas allows rainwater harvesting statewide for non-potable purposes under Arkansas Code 17-38-201. Systems must be designed by a licensed engineer, include cross-connection safeguards, and comply with the Arkansas Plumbing Code.
Springdale regulates fowl and livestock under Chapter 14 (Animals) of the Springdale Municipal Code. The City prohibits any fowl, including chickens, from running at large within city limits. Chickens and other fowl are allowed only on properties located in the A-1 (Agricultural) zoning district under the Springdale Zoning Code at Chapter 130. A critical limitation applies: no fowl may be kept in a platted subdivision, even if that subdivision happens to be zoned A-1. Questions go to the Springdale Animal Services Division at (479) 750-8114.
Springdale Municipal Code Chapter 14 (Animals) requires dogs to be under the physical control of a person when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by Springdale Animal Services. A narrow exception in the Code allows dogs to run at large on the property of the animal's owner only where that property is located in a non-platted A-1 (Agricultural) zone. Every dog must be current on rabies vaccination under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 20-19-303. Springdale Animal Services is located at 1549 E. Don Tyson Parkway, (479) 750-8114.
Springdale has no breed-specific legislation. After publicly debating a pit bull regulation in 2013-2014, the Springdale City Council declined to enact a breed ban and instead strengthened its behavior-based vicious and potentially dangerous animal rules in Chapter 14 of the Springdale Municipal Code. Arkansas has no statewide preemption of breed-specific legislation - cities can still adopt breed restrictions - but as of 2026 Springdale regulates dogs by individual behavior. Owners of dogs adjudicated potentially dangerous must obtain an annual $100 permit, $50,000 liability insurance, and a microchip.
Springdale does not maintain a stand-alone beekeeping chapter. Apiaries are regulated through the Springdale Zoning Code at Chapter 130, which treats beekeeping as an agricultural use compatible with the A-1 (Agricultural) district, and through Chapter 14 (Animals) general nuisance provisions where hives create a nuisance. Statewide, the Arkansas Bee Law at Arkansas Code Annotated Sections 2-22-101 through 2-22-112 requires beekeepers to register their apiary locations with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and prohibits establishing a new apiary within three miles of an existing registered apiary without consent.
Springdale regulates exotic and wild animals through Chapter 14 (Animals) general restraint, nuisance, and vicious-animal provisions, and the Springdale Zoning Code does not list exotic species as a customary residential accessory use. Statewide, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Captive Wildlife Regulations at AGFC Code 09 control possession of native and most exotic wildlife. Arkansas Code Annotated Sections 20-19-501 through 20-19-511 (Ownership and Possession of Large Carnivores) make it unlawful to acquire any new large carnivore - including big cats, bears, and most non-human primates - and bar new large-carnivore permits since 2005.
Springdale addresses animal hoarding through Chapter 14 (Animals) nuisance and care provisions and through Arkansas state criminal cruelty statutes. Arkansas does not have a dedicated animal-hoarding criminal statute; hoarding conduct is prosecuted under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-103 (Cruelty to Animals - misdemeanor) and Section 5-62-104 (Aggravated Cruelty to a Dog, Cat, or Horse - Class D felony) where neglect rises to torture or causes serious injury or death. Springdale Animal Services investigates with the Springdale Police Department and refers cases to the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney.
Springdale does not publish a stand-alone wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Chapter 14 (Animals) and Chapter 42 (Environment) general nuisance provisions allow Code Enforcement to cite residents whose feeding of deer, raccoons, or other wildlife creates a public-health or safety nuisance. The harder rule comes from the state: Washington County is inside the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone, where AGFC Code 07.06 prohibits placing food, salt, minerals, or other attractants for wildlife except for specific deer-hunting baiting windows on private land.
Springdale Municipal Code Chapter 14 (Animals) does not publish a numeric cap on the total number of dogs or cats per household, and instead relies on rabies-vaccination, at-large, vicious-animal, and free-roaming-cat sterilization rules (including Section 14-37 requiring sterilization of free-roaming cats) plus general nuisance authority. Conditions that cross the line into neglect or hoarding escalate to charges under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 5-62-103 (Cruelty to Animals - Class A misdemeanor) and Section 5-62-104 (Aggravated Cruelty - Class D felony).
Springdale fence installations are reviewed by the Building and Development Services Department under Chapter 22 (Building) and Chapter 130 (Zoning). A permit is generally required and must clear zoning height, sight-triangle, and floodplain checks before installation. Applications and questions go to 201 Spring Street or 479-756-8200.
Springdale regulates fence height through Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) by district rather than a single citywide cap. Industrial uses required to be enclosed (I-3 Sec. 4.5) and commercial sites adjacent to residential (Secs. 3.2-3.8) must install a six-foot opaque screen fence or wall. Specific residential height limits for front, side, and rear yards are set in Chapter 130 and should be verified with the Building Department.
Springdale's Code of Ordinances does not require a neighbor's consent to install a fence on your own land. Boundary and partition-fence disputes between adjoining owners are handled under Arkansas state law (A.C.A. Title 2, Chapter 39) and the common law of property, not the City Code.
Springdale's Code of Ordinances does not publish a closed list of allowed residential fence materials. Wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, chain link, and masonry are generally permitted if Chapter 130 height and placement rules are met. Commercial sites adjacent to residential and I-3 industrial uses must use an opaque screen fence under Sections 3.2-3.8 and 4.5.
Pools, hot tubs, and spas deeper than 24 inches in Springdale must be enclosed by a barrier under the city's Premises Maintenance Code (Chapter 91, Article III, Division 3) and the Arkansas adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code Chapter 42 (Appendix G) and 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code. Barriers must be at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Arkansas Code 14-56-204 preempts cities from dictating residential exterior cladding materials, roof materials, colors, and architectural ornamentation. The statute applies statewide to one- and two-family dwellings, with limited exceptions for historic districts and code-compliance.
Pools in Springdale must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 8003) requiring anti-entrapment drain covers, the 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code adopted by Arkansas (circulation, bonding, alarms), and the Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Swimming Pools (A.C.A. 20-30-103 et seq.) for public pools.
Springdale requires a building permit from the Building and Development Services Department for any swimming pool, hot tub, or spa deeper than 24 inches under Chapter 22 and the 2021 Arkansas Residential Code Chapter 42. Permits are issued at 201 Spring Street, 479-756-8200, and require site, barrier, plumbing, and electrical details.
Every pool, hot tub, or spa over 24 inches deep in Springdale must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward, under Springdale Chapter 91 Article III Division 3 and the Arkansas adoption of the 2021 IRC Appendix G and 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code.
Converting a Springdale garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or ADU) requires both (1) zoning approval under the Springdale zoning code for the change of use, since the converted area no longer functions as accessory parking and may trigger off-street parking minimums or ADU classification; and (2) a building permit under the locally adopted International Residential Code. Conversions must meet IRC Chapter 3 requirements for habitable spaces including R310 emergency egress, R305 ceiling height, R314 smoke alarms, and R315 carbon monoxide alarms, and the zoning code's off-street parking minimums must still be satisfied after the garage is removed.
Springdale is a first-class city straddling Washington and Benton Counties in Northwest Arkansas (population approximately 84,000), regulating accessory dwelling units through its locally adopted zoning code. Arkansas has no statewide ADU preemption statute equivalent to California Government Code §66313 or Oregon ORS 197.312, so whether an ADU is permitted in Springdale is determined entirely by the local zoning ordinance under planning and zoning authority granted to Arkansas cities by A.C.A. §14-56-401 et seq. The Springdale code classifies dwelling units by district, and ADU permissibility (whether by right, by special use permit through the Planning Commission, or prohibited) depends on the underlying residential zone. The Springdale Code on Municode is the controlling local source: https://library.municode.com/ar/springdale.
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Springdale are regulated through two layers: (1) the Springdale zoning code, which sets dimensional standards by district (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, location relative to the principal dwelling); and (2) the locally adopted International Residential Code, which under IRC R105.2 typically exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. Springdale property owners generally need a zoning permit from the Planning & Community Development Department even when no building permit is required. The Springdale Code is hosted on Municode at https://library.municode.com/ar/springdale.
An accessory dwelling unit in Springdale requires permits from two municipal tracks: a zoning permit or special use permit through the Planning & Community Development Department confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under the Springdale zoning code, and a building permit from the Springdale Building Official under the locally adopted International Residential Code for the construction itself. Arkansas has no statewide ADU preemption like California's SB 9 or Oregon's HB 2001, so timelines, fees, hearing requirements, and approval criteria are set entirely by Springdale pursuant to A.C.A. §14-56-401 et seq. and applicable local ordinances.
Arkansas has not enacted a statewide impact fee enabling statute, and Arkansas cities have historically had limited authority to impose development impact fees outside of negotiated agreements. Springdale does not impose general development impact fees on residential construction; ADU applicants typically face only standard zoning permit fees, building permit fees under the locally adopted IRC, and utility connection (tap) fees through Springdale Water Utilities (water and sewer) and the appropriate gas and electric utilities. School districts in Arkansas have no impact-fee authority. Recreation, traffic, and park impact fees are not generally assessed by Springdale on infill ADU construction.
Springdale regulates home occupations through the zoning code under authority of the Arkansas Local Planning Act at A.C.A. §14-56-416. Home occupations are typically permitted as accessory uses in residential districts subject to limits on the floor area devoted to the business, exterior changes to the dwelling, non-resident employees, customer traffic, signage, outdoor storage, and noise. Arkansas has no statewide home occupation preemption statute, so the precise standards (often categorized as customary home occupations permitted by right and major home occupations requiring special use permit) are set entirely by the Springdale zoning code. The Springdale Code on Municode is the controlling local source.
Signage for home occupations in Springdale is governed by the sign regulations in the zoning code. Typical home occupation rules in Arkansas municipalities limit on-premises signs to one non-illuminated wall sign of small area (commonly 1 to 2 square feet) identifying the business. Major home occupations approved by special use permit may receive modest additional signage rights subject to the Sign Code. All sign regulations must be content-neutral under Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015); Springdale may regulate size, height, location, illumination, and duration but cannot impose different rules based on the message conveyed. The Springdale Code is hosted on Municode.
Springdale limits customer traffic to home occupations through the zoning code to preserve residential character. Typical Arkansas home-occupation rules cap daily customer visits (commonly 4 to 8 per day for customary home occupations), restrict client hours (often roughly 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), require off-street parking for clients beyond a low threshold, and prohibit deliveries by tractor-trailer or other heavy commercial vehicles inconsistent with residential use. Major home occupations with significant customer traffic require special use permit approval from the Springdale Planning Commission with attached conditions. The Springdale Code is hosted on Municode.
Arkansas allows producers to sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods directly to consumers without licensing or inspection. The Food Freedom Act of 2021 expanded permitted venues and removed prior sales caps, preempting most local restrictions on cottage food sales.
Arkansas requires state licensing or registration for home-based child care serving non-relative children. The Department of Human Services Division of Child Care administers uniform standards statewide, preempting local licensing while preserving zoning authority over residential daycare locations.
Arkansas is the only U.S. state without an implied warranty of habitability, so Arkansas landlords have no automatic duty to exterminate rats, roaches, mice, bed bugs, or other pests unless the lease assigns that responsibility. Springdale enforces basic property-maintenance and nuisance standards through the International Property Maintenance Code and Chapter 42 of the Municipal Code, and pesticide applicators are licensed by the Arkansas State Plant Board.
Arkansas amended IRC Section R313 to remove the statewide fire-sprinkler mandate for new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. Springdale has not imposed a local residential sprinkler mandate. Commercial, multifamily, and existing buildings undergoing significant renovation remain subject to the sprinkler triggers in IBC Chapter 9 and Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Section 903 as adopted in the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code through Chapter 46 of the Springdale Municipal Code.
Springdale does not have a stand-alone municipal lead ordinance. Lead hazards are governed by the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X, 42 U.S.C. Section 4851) and EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR Part 745), and at the state level by the Arkansas Lead-Based Paint-Hazard Act of 2011 (A.C.A. Section 20-27-2501 et seq.) administered by the Arkansas Department of Health Lead-Based Paint Program.
Loud parties in Springdale are handled through Chapter 42 Article III (noise), A.C.A. Section 5-71-207 (disorderly conduct), and A.C.A. Section 3-3-202 (furnishing alcohol to a minor). Springdale has not adopted a separate social-host or unruly-gathering ordinance, so the state framework governs. Penalties stack: the local noise fine ($150 to $250 first offense) plus state-court disorderly conduct and any underage-alcohol charge.
Smoking in Springdale is governed mostly by the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act (A.C.A. §20-27-1801+), which restricts indoor public smoking statewide. Arkansas Act 488 of 2017 preempts most stricter local tobacco regulation, so Springdale cannot impose broad outdoor smoking bans on private property.
Springdale's residential trash carts are 96-gallon poly-carts provided by the City's contracted hauler, CARDS Holdings (effective December 1, 2023). Carts are the property of CARDS Recycling and are bar-coded to each service address - they must remain at the address if the resident moves. One cart is included with City of Springdale water service for residences inside the city limits; additional carts must be requested directly from CARDS and incur an extra monthly fee. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day with clearance for the automated truck arm.
Springdale enforces property-blight conditions through Code Enforcement (located at 201 Spring Street) using the City's nuisance framework in Code of Ordinances Chapter 42. When violations are observed, a Code Enforcement Officer posts a warning at the property giving the owner seven days to correct the problem. If the condition is not corrected, the City may abate it itself and charge the cost to the owner as a lien on the real property. State authority traces to A.C.A. §14-54-901 (municipal authority over unsanitary premises) and A.C.A. §14-54-903 (seven-day notice and city abatement).
Springdale caps weeds and plant growth at 12 inches in height within 12 feet of property adjacent to a subdivision or road, and requires owners or occupants to keep all fence rows within that 12-foot strip free of grass, weeds, and brush. Owners or occupants of property along a street or alley must also keep the right-of-way clear of tall grass, weeds, and debris. Code Enforcement leaves a warning at the property giving seven days to correct (A.C.A. §14-54-903); uncorrected violations are abated by the City at the owner's expense and lien-backed to the parcel under A.C.A. §14-54-904.
Springdale does not have a municipal ordinance imposing a duty on residential property owners or occupants to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property. The City of Springdale operates a Snow and Ice Removal Program focused on clearing public streets and bridges - particularly priority routes - using the Street Department fleet. Arkansas common law follows the natural-accumulation rule: an abutting owner generally owes no duty to passersby to remove naturally-accumulated snow or ice from a public sidewalk and is not liable for slip-and-fall injuries from such conditions unless the owner created or aggravated the hazard or undertook clearing negligently.
Springdale residential trash and recycling is collected weekly by CARDS Holdings under contract with the City of Springdale (effective December 1, 2023, replacing Waste Management). Springdale Water Utilities bills the service on the monthly water bill - $20.33 per month standard or $18.33 for seniors age 65+ as of February 1, 2026. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the resident's assigned collection day. Service applies inside the Springdale city limits to single-family residences and multifamily buildings of up to four units. CARDS customer service: 479-435-9061 / cityofspringdale@cardsrecycling.com.
Springdale carts must be placed at the curb (not in the street or on the sidewalk) by 6:00 a.m. on the resident's collection day with at least three feet of clearance on all sides so the CARDS automated truck arm can extend, lift, dump, and return. Carts cannot be blocked by parked vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, overhanging tree limbs, or low-hanging power lines. Lids must be fully closed; carts may not be overfilled and items may not be placed on top of the lid because the dump cycle would spill loose material onto the curb.
Springdale's Bulky Waste Pick-Up Program is operated by the City's Public Works Department (not CARDS) and lets residents dispose of large items twice per calendar year per residence. Each pickup is capped at 8 cubic yards combined volume; the annual furniture limit is 4 mattresses or box springs and 2 couches per year. Accepted items include appliances (stoves, water heaters, washers, dryers, refrigerators and other cooling units), furniture, mattresses, construction materials, large tree limbs, and tires and rims. Schedule by calling Springdale City Hall at 479-750-8114 (Public Works).
Recycling in Springdale is voluntary - Arkansas state law (A.C.A. §8-9-401 et seq., the Arkansas Solid Waste Management Act) authorizes but does not mandate municipal recycling. CARDS Holdings includes a weekly curbside recycling bin with the $20.33 monthly trash-and-recycling service for single-family homes and 1-4 unit buildings inside the city limits. The City also operates a drop-off recycling center at 1809 S Lowell Road (open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) that accepts a broader list including glass bottles and jars, household hazardous waste, and electronics. Recyclables must be placed loose - never bagged.
Springdale's yard-waste program changed on December 1, 2023 when CARDS Holdings replaced Waste Management. The previous sticker-based yard-waste system was discontinued; CARDS now offers an optional municipal yard-waste cart at an additional monthly fee for residents who want curbside yard-waste service. Bagged yard waste is explicitly prohibited - the City's published rule is that 'bagged yard waste' is not collected at the curb. Tree cuttings must be unbagged and limited to 5 feet in length. Larger storm-cleanup branches go through the Bulky Waste Pick-Up Program. Open burning of yard waste is restricted by ADEQ Regulation No. 18.
Springdale prohibits illegal dumping of garbage, trash, leaves, grass clippings, and other refuse on public streets, sidewalks, alleys, and the property of another under Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances; the 2018 lawn-care ordinance update explicitly added that 'leaves, grass clippings and bulky waste can't be left on streets or sidewalks.' The Arkansas state-law backstop is A.C.A. §8-6-406 (Littering and commercial littering) with fines of $100-$1,000 plus mandatory community service - up to 8 hours for a first offense and up to 24 hours for second/subsequent. Larger-scale dumping is referred to ADEQ under A.C.A. §8-9-401 et seq. with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation.
Tobacco retailers in Springdale are licensed by the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board under A.C.A. §5-78-101 et seq. and the Arkansas Tobacco Products Tax Act (A.C.A. §26-57-201 et seq.), which set the minimum sales age at 21. Retailers must hold a Springdale business license through the City Finance Department in addition to the state-issued tobacco permit; Springdale has not adopted a separate municipal tobacco license.
Pawnshops in Springdale are licensed under the Arkansas Pawnshop Act (A.C.A. §18-27-101 et seq.), administered by the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies (Pawnbroker Division). Operators must post a surety bond, keep transaction records, and hold pledged or purchased property for a statutory holding period before resale. A Springdale business license is required in addition to the state pawnbroker license.
Springdale has no proactive rental inspection program. Inspections occur on a complaint basis through Code Enforcement applying the adopted International Property Maintenance Code, with fire-safety items enforced by the Springdale Fire Department.
Springdale has no general residential rental-registration ordinance. Owners follow standard Washington County property-tax assessment, City business-license rules if operating a rental business, and the City's adopted building and property-maintenance codes enforced by the Building and Code Enforcement Departments.
The City of Springdale has no rent-control ordinance. Residential rent is governed by the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007 (A.C.A. §18-17-101 et seq.) and the older landlord-tenant chapter (A.C.A. §18-16-101+), neither of which caps rent or limits increases.
Springdale has no local just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions are governed by Arkansas statute — the Unlawful Detainer Act (A.C.A. §18-60-301+), the URLTA (A.C.A. §18-17-901+), and the criminal failure-to-vacate statute (A.C.A. §18-16-101+). Filings go to Washington County District or Circuit Court.
Security deposits in Springdale follow Arkansas statute. A.C.A. §18-16-303 caps the deposit at two months' rent for landlords owning six or more rental units. A.C.A. §18-16-304 requires return, or written itemization of damages, within 60 days of the tenant vacating.
Food truck operators in Springdale need a Mobile Food Establishment permit from the Arkansas Department of Health under the Arkansas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (A.C.A. §20-57-201 et seq.) and the Arkansas Retail Food Establishment regulations, a Springdale business license, a current food-protection-manager certification, and zoning compliance for each operating location.
Springdale regulates mobile food vendors through the Municipal Code business-licensing chapter and zoning rules, paired with Arkansas Department of Health licensing for mobile food units. Vendors need a City business license through the City Clerk and must avoid public right-of-way obstruction and prohibited residential zones.
Recreational drones in Springdale are regulated mostly by federal law. The FAA requires registration for drones over 0.55 lb, TRUST test passage, and flight under 49 U.S.C. §44809. Commercial work needs an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (KXNA) and Springdale Municipal Airport (KASG) sit in or near controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization.
Commercial drone operations in Arkansas require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification and compliance with state critical-infrastructure and privacy laws. Federal preemption controls airspace while Arkansas regulates ground-based privacy and surveillance harms statewide.
Building setbacks in Springdale are set by Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) Article 4 (District Regulations) of the Springdale Code, which establishes the lot, yard and bulk standards by zoning district. The single-family residential districts SF-1 through SF-4 and the MF-2 through MF-24 multifamily districts share a 30-ft front, 8-ft side and 20-ft rear setback. Variance from the bulk standards is heard by the Springdale Board of Adjustment under the Arkansas zoning enabling authority at A.C.A. §14-56-422.
Building height in Springdale is regulated by Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) Article 4 (District Regulations), which caps residential structures in the SF-1 through SF-4 single-family, R-E Residential Estate and MF-2 through MF-4 multifamily districts at 35 feet. Commercial and industrial districts have no fixed numeric cap but require an additional 1 foot of setback per foot of height above 20 feet when abutting a residential district. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code overlays IBC Chapter 5 height and area limits by construction type.
Lot coverage in Springdale is regulated by Chapter 130 (Zoning Ordinance) Article 4 (District Regulations), which caps building coverage at 40 percent of the lot in the SF-1 through SF-4 single-family and MF-2 through MF-24 multifamily districts and at 50 percent in the I-3 Planned Industrial district. Multifamily districts also require at least 10 percent landscaped open space. Stormwater impacts on larger projects are reviewed under Arkansas DEQ's NPDES Phase II MS4 framework when 1 acre or more is disturbed.
Springdale requires a permit for residential garage and yard sales, issued by the Springdale Building Department. The permit carries a $10 fee that the City Council voted to retain in March 2021 after a public debate. Each permit covers a maximum of two (2) consecutive days, and no new or used merchandise may be purchased or brought to the property specifically to sell at the sale. Sale signs must be on the seller's own property; signs on utility poles or in the public right-of-way are prohibited and removed by the City.
Springdale limits each residence or dwelling to four (4) garage-sale permits per year, with each permit covering a maximum of two (2) consecutive days. The cap and duration are set in the Springdale garage-sale ordinance and administered by the Springdale Building Department alongside the $10 permit fee retained by the City Council in March 2021. Sales beyond the four-per-year cap can be cited as unpermitted commercial activity. Arkansas state law treats occasional household sales as exempt isolated sales under the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration sales-tax rules.
Springdale does not require a general tree-removal permit for trees on private residential property. The Springdale Public Works / Streets Department maintains and may remove trees in the City right-of-way and drainage easements. The City Code compels removal of dead or dying trees on order from Neighborhood Services under A.C.A. §14-54-901+. Land-development projects may require tree-protection or replacement plans through Springdale Planning Commission site-plan review.
Springdale does not maintain a dedicated heritage-tree registry in its Municipal Code and does not require permits for removal of large or specimen trees on private property. Notable mature-tree resources include Springdale's municipal parks (Murphy Park, Luther George Park, Tyson Park, J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Park) and the Shiloh Cemetery historic district. Specimen trees on private property can be protected voluntarily through Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission conservation easements or through site-plan conditions through the Springdale Planning Commission.
Springdale does not impose a citywide tree-replacement ratio on private residential tree removals. Replacement-planting obligations arise primarily through Springdale Planning Commission conditions on commercial, multifamily, and subdivision site plans, and through landscape-buffer standards in the zoning ordinance. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Urban & Community Forestry program provides technical assistance for replanting, including recommended species lists adapted to the USDA Zone 7a/7b Ozark Plateau climate of Washington and Benton counties.
Springdale Chapter 107 (Revised September 2017) governs stormwater discharges, illicit connections, grading, and erosion control under the city's NPDES Phase II MS4 permit administered through ADEQ Construction Permit ARR 150000. Any project disturbing 0.5 acre or more requires a city grading permit and an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3).
Springdale Chapter 50 (Floods), Article II Flood Damage Prevention, regulates development inside FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas shown on the Washington County FIRMs effective May 16, 2008. New construction and substantial improvements must be elevated at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation, and a Floodplain Development Permit is required from the Engineering Department before any work begins.
Arkansas regulates erosion and sediment control statewide through the NPDES construction stormwater program. Sites disturbing one or more acres must implement engineered erosion controls under DEQ oversight. Local jurisdictions may add stricter rules but cannot waive state minimums.
Solar panel installations on Springdale homes require permits under the locally adopted International Residential Code: a building permit for roof-mount structural review and an electrical permit for the photovoltaic system interconnection covering NEC Article 690 requirements. The Arkansas Solar Access Rights Act at A.C.A. §23-18-604 provides limited protection — primarily addressing private restrictive covenants — and is narrower than California Civil Code §714 or Florida Statutes §163.04. Arkansas net metering is governed by A.C.A. §23-3-103 et seq. as implemented by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Springdale is generally a permissive solar jurisdiction; the Municode portal is the authoritative source for local rules.
Act 827 of 2019 voids most homeowner association covenants that prohibit residential solar collectors. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic rules but cannot effectively ban rooftop solar installations.
Arkansas imposes statewide buffer and licensing requirements on medical marijuana dispensaries. State rules mandate minimum distances from schools, churches, and daycares. Local governments may add reasonable zoning but cannot prohibit dispensaries in unrestricted commercial zones.
Arkansas prohibits all home cultivation of marijuana, including by registered medical patients. Amendment 98 and Title 5 Chapter 64 make any unlicensed cannabis growing a felony. Only state-licensed cultivation facilities may legally produce marijuana statewide.
Arkansas Code 11-4-203 reserves wage regulation to the state, preempting cities and counties from setting local minimum wages above the state minimum. Local ordinances mandating higher wages are void and unenforceable statewide.
Arkansas Code 11-4-203 preempts cities and counties from mandating paid sick leave, paid family leave, or other employer-provided leave benefits. Leave policies remain a matter of state law and individual employer discretion across Arkansas.
Arkansas Code 11-4-203 preempts local governments from enacting predictive or fair-workweek scheduling rules on private employers. Scheduling practices remain governed by state law and individual employer policies across all Arkansas jurisdictions.
Arkansas issues concealed handgun carry licenses through Arkansas State Police. Enhanced licenses allow carry in additional locations. Permitless carry is also recognized for qualifying adults under state interpretation of Act 746.
Arkansas law preempts cities and counties from regulating firearms, ammunition, and components. Local rules conflicting with state law are void, with limited exceptions for public buildings and employer policies recognized by statute.
Arkansas permits open carry of handguns by qualifying adults under state interpretation of Act 746. Local governments cannot restrict open carry beyond state law due to firearms preemption codified at Arkansas Code 14-16-504.
Arkansas allows lawful adults to carry handguns in personal vehicles without a license under state law. Local governments cannot impose additional vehicle-carry restrictions due to statewide firearms preemption recognized in Arkansas Code.
Arkansas Code 19-11-105 requires state agencies and contractors performing public work to verify employment eligibility through E-Verify or an equivalent program. Noncompliant contractors may face debarment or contract termination.
Arkansas prohibits sanctuary policies through Act 1042 of 2021, codified at Arkansas Code 14-1-104 and following. Cities and counties limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities risk losing state funding and discretionary grants.
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. shields farms and agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby non-farm land uses. The law protects established farming practices from later-arriving residential or commercial neighbors.
Arkansas Code 8-9-110, enacted by Act 879 of 2021, preempts cities and counties from regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags. Local taxes, fees, and bans on plastic bags are prohibited statewide under Arkansas law.
Arkansas Code 8-9-110 preempts local regulation of polystyrene foam cups, plates, and containers as part of the auxiliary container preemption enacted by Act 879 of 2021. Cities cannot ban or tax foam packaging statewide.
Arkansas Code 8-9-110 preempts local regulation of plastic straws and related single-use items as auxiliary containers. Cities cannot impose bans, fees, or upon-request rules different from state law on plastic straws statewide.
Arkansas Code 5-27-227 prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing tobacco, vapor, or alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. Retailers must verify age and post required notices, with penalties for violations enforced statewide.
Arkansas does not impose a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vape products beyond federal restrictions on certain cartridge-based e-cigarettes. Sales of flavored products remain legal subject to age, permit, and labeling rules.
Arkansas regulates retail sale of vapor products and e-cigarettes, requiring permits, age verification, and compliance with state tobacco laws. Sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited under Arkansas Code 5-27-227.