Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Rules limiting short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, including documentation required to prove residency and rules against operating multiple listings.
Short-Term Rentals in Arkansas (2026)
20 rules on the books across Arkansas, 5 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Short-Term Rental Permits
Whether you need a license or permit to list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms, and what the application process looks like.
Fayetteville
Heavy RestrictionsEvery Fayetteville STR needs its own business license, a life-safety and egress inspection, and proof of HMR tax…
Read full rule →Jonesboro
Significant RestrictionsJonesboro requires every short-term rental owner (renting 29 days or less) to hold a privilege license before…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Significant RestrictionsLittle Rock requires every short-term rental operator to hold a city business license before listing or renting a…
Read full rule →Benton County
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Benton County exempts short-term and long-term rentals from site plan review only below one dwelling…
Read full rule →Noise Rules
Noise restrictions that apply specifically to short-term rental properties, including quiet hours and rules about parties and gatherings.
Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville short-term rentals must follow the Chapter 96 noise ordinance, and Sec. 164.26(D) flatly prohibits special…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsSTR guests in Little Rock must observe quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM with no excessive noise audible from off the…
Read full rule →Taxes & Fees
Transient occupancy taxes, tourism fees, and other charges that hosts must collect from guests or pay to the city.
Arkansas: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsArkansas requires short-term rental operators to collect state sales tax (6.5%) and a 2% statewide tourism tax on all…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Heavy RestrictionsLittle Rock STR operators must collect and remit the city's hotel/motel tax (also called the accommodation tax) on all…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville short-term rentals owe the city's 2% hotel, motel, and restaurant (HMR) tax plus Arkansas's 2% state…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsA short-term stay in Washington County owes Arkansas's 6.5% state sales tax, a 2% state tourism tax, and local sales…
Read full rule →Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Off-street parking requirements for rental guests, limits on the number of vehicles, and restrictions on street parking near rental properties.
Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville limits short-term rental parking to the maximum number of vehicles the underlying zoning district allows…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsLittle Rock's short-term rental development standards at Rev. Code § 36-603(b)(5) require a parking plan with the…
Read full rule →Occupancy Limits
Maximum number of guests allowed per rental unit, often based on the number of bedrooms or square footage of the property.
Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville caps short-term rental occupancy at two people per bedroom under Sec. 164.26(B), and the approved…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsShort-term rental occupancy in Little Rock is capped by the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, posted at the door, and only…
Read full rule →Insurance Requirements
Liability insurance minimums and other coverage that hosts must carry when renting their property to short-term guests.
Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville requires every short-term rental owner to provide proof of a current homeowners insurance rider that fully…
Read full rule →Little Rock
Some RestrictionsEvery Little Rock bed-and-breakfast/short-term-rental applicant, STR-1 or STR-2, must submit proof of homeowner's…
Read full rule →Host Presence Rule
Whether your city allows only home-sharing (host on-site during the rental) versus whole-home unhosted rentals, and the enforcement process for violations.
Repeat Violator Strikes
Three-strike or escalating-penalty systems for hosts with repeated noise, occupancy, or registration violations, including permit revocation thresholds.