Accessory Structures in Arkansas (2026)
18 rules on the books across Arkansas, 7 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
ADU Rules
Rules for building accessory dwelling units (granny flats, in-law suites) including size limits, parking requirements, and owner-occupancy rules.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsArkansas Act 313 of 2025 requires every municipality to permit at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Significant RestrictionsJonesboro allows an accessory dwelling unit by right only in the AG, RR, and R-O districts, and only to house immediate…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Significant RestrictionsLittle Rock allows accessory dwelling units only in the R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-7A residential districts, and caps their…
Read full rule →Benton County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Benton County lets property owners build one accessory dwelling unit on a lot with a single-family home…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsSpringdale allows accessory dwelling units by right on any single-family lot, capped at 75 percent of the main home's…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Washington County a second home is an Additional Dwelling Unit needing Planning review and a septic…
Read full rule →ADU Owner Occupancy
Whether the property owner must live on-site to operate an ADU, deed-restriction requirements, and recent state-law changes lifting owner-occupancy rules.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Whether an ADU can be rented short-term (Airbnb), 30-day minimums, separate rental licenses, and long-term lease requirements.
Shed & Carport Rules
When a storage shed or carport needs a permit, the square-footage exemption thresholds, and the setback and height limits that apply either way.
Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County waives the building permit fee for any structure, including a shed, costing $1,000 or less to build, per…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Some RestrictionsJonesboro limits accessory buildings, including sheds and storage buildings, to the same side setback as the main…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock requires accessory buildings, including backyard sheds, to sit at least 3 feet from side and rear property…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsSpringdale caps portable accessory structures like sheds at 120 square feet and 10 feet in height, keeps them out of…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Few RestrictionsFayetteville allows backyard sheds and accessory buildings smaller than 50% of the principal structure. A structure 10…
Read full rule →Pulaski County
Few RestrictionsPulaski County's planning department permit fees under § 2-242(e) apply to subdivisions, commercial, industrial…
Read full rule →Washington County
Few RestrictionsA backyard shed needs no county building permit in unincorporated Washington County, which enforces no building code…
Read full rule →Garage Conversions
Rules for converting a garage into living space, including whether you need to replace the lost parking and what building codes apply.
Tiny Homes
Zoning rules for tiny houses on wheels and foundations, including minimum square footage requirements and where they can be placed.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsA factory-built tiny home sold in Arkansas is a manufactured home under the Arkansas Manufactured Homes Standards Act…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsA foundation tiny home is allowed on its own acre in unincorporated Washington County under the one-unit-per-acre…
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