Landscaping Rules in Arkansas (2026)
25 rules on the books across Arkansas, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County requires a cleared width of up to 40 feet along county roads where brush and trees encroach into the…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsHomeowners can trim their own trees, but any business doing tree work in Fayetteville must hold a City Commercial Tree…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock requires owners to prune trees along public roadways to keep 14 feet of clearance over streets and 8 feet…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsWhen a tree blocks travel on a Springdale sidewalk or street, the chief city inspector can have it pruned or removed at…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Light RestrictionsJonesboro's own code puts pruning authority over roadside and rights-of-way trees in the hands of the city and City…
Read full rule →Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsArkansas statutes impose statewide civil and criminal liability for unlawfully cutting trees on another's land…
Read full rule →Benton County
Some RestrictionsCommercial and other non-residential projects in unincorporated Benton County must preserve healthy existing trees…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville's tree permits are development-based, not lot-based. Chapter 167 requires an approved Tree Preservation…
Read full rule →Fort Smith
Some RestrictionsRemoving any tree from a Fort Smith city park or public ground requires prior approval from the parks department's…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Some RestrictionsJonesboro requires a tree removal permit before clearing one acre or more and removing over seven significant trees in…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock requires required or preserved trees that die or are removed to be replaced, either one-for-one within the…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsSpringdale requires a permit from the chief city inspector before any tree within the lines of a city street is planted…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsArkansas requires no replant-what-you-cut rule, and Washington County imposes none. In Fayetteville, development that…
Read full rule →Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
Fort Smith
Some RestrictionsFort Smith caps weeds and grass on developed lots, fire-zone land, and adjoining rights-of-way at ten inches, with the…
Read full rule →Garland County
Some RestrictionsIn the Garland County portion of Hot Springs Village, weeds and plant growth on maintained premises cannot exceed ten…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Some RestrictionsJonesboro caps weeds and grass on improved property at 12 inches tall. Large rural tracts get a buffer-cut exception…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock bans grass, weeds, or uncultivated plants taller than 10 inches on any lot, along sidewalks, parkways, or…
Read full rule →Saline County
Some RestrictionsWithin the Saline County portion of Hot Springs Village, premises and exterior property must be kept free of weeds or…
Read full rule →Springdale
Some RestrictionsSpringdale bans unsightly weeds and plant growth on every lot in the city under Chapter 42's nuisance definition, and…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsOvergrown grass is a city matter in Washington County. Fayetteville, Springdale, and Prairie Grove order weeds cut…
Read full rule →Rainwater Harvesting
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsArkansas allows rainwater harvesting statewide for non-potable purposes under Arkansas Code 17-38-201. Systems must be…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock allows rain barrels for collecting roof runoff, but the code sets screening, covering, and…
Read full rule →Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
Artificial Turf
Rules about installing synthetic grass, including whether it counts toward water-saving rebates and any HOA or city restrictions.
Composting
Rules for backyard composting bins and piles plus curbside organics, bin requirements, allowed materials, setbacks, pest control, and any mandated diversion programs.