Arkansas Statewide Rule

Arkansas Bans Local Rent Control

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Arkansas (2026)

Key Facts

Local rent control: Banned (state-preempted)
Statewide rent cap: None
Preemption statute: Ark. Code § 14-16-601 (also § 14-54-1409)
Cities with rent control: None

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Justia Law

Summary

Rent control is illegal at the local level in Arkansas. Ark. Code § 14-16-601 bars any local governmental unit, including a county, city, village, or township, from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance that controls the rent charged for private property. There is no statewide rent cap, and no Arkansas city has rent control.

14-16-601. Rent, rental application fee, and rental deposit control preemption - Definition. (a) As used in this section, "local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state, including without limitation a county, city, village, or township, if the political subdivision provides local government services for residents in a geographically limited area of this state as its primary purpose and has the power to act primarily on behalf of that area. (b) (1) As to leasing private residential or commercial property, and except as provided under § 18-16-304, a local governmental unit shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount charged for: (A) Rent; (B) Rental application fees; or (C) Rental deposits. (2) The preemption against rent, rental application fees, and rental deposit control in subdivision (b)(1) of this section applies to all: (A) Landlords; (B) Property owners; (C) Property managers; (D) Tenants; (E) Prospective tenants; and (F) Real estate companies doing business in the State of Arkansas. (c) This section does not impair the right of any local governmental unit to manage and control residential property in which the local governmental unit has a property interest.

Source: Justia LawView official code

Full Breakdown

Arkansas is a rent-control-preemption state. Ark. Code § 14-16-601(b) provides that a "local governmental unit shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property." Subsection (a) defines a local governmental unit broadly to include any political subdivision, such as a county, city, village, or township. A parallel municipal provision, Ark. Code § 14-54-1409, reaches cities and towns. The only carve-out preserves a local government's authority to manage property in which it holds a property interest. Because the legislature occupies this field, no Arkansas municipality may impose rent control or a rent-increase cap on private landlords, and the state sets no statewide ceiling on rent or rent increases.

Violations & Penalties

Any local rent-control ordinance or resolution is void and unenforceable as preempted by Ark. Code § 14-16-601. An affected landlord could challenge such a measure in court, where it would be struck down; the state provides no penalty mechanism because localities lack authority to enact rent control in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rent control legal in Arkansas?

No. Ark. Code § 14-16-601 prohibits local governments from controlling the rent charged for private residential or commercial property, and Arkansas has no statewide rent control. Landlords may set and raise rent freely, subject only to the lease terms and notice rules.

Can a city in Arkansas pass its own rent control?

No. Ark. Code § 14-16-601 bars any county, city, village, or township from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that controls rent on private property, and § 14-54-1409 reaches municipalities. Any such measure would be void as state-preempted.

Is there a limit on how much rent can increase in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas has no statewide cap on rent increases, and cities are barred from setting one. For a month-to-month tenancy a landlord generally must give proper written notice before raising rent, but there is no limit on the amount of the increase.

Sources

Ark. Code § 14-16-601 (Rent Control Preemption)

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