Little Rock Zoning & Permits
Zoning rules, permit requirements, and building codes for Little Rock, AR. Source-cited from official municipal code.
Quick Facts
Population
202,591
Total Zone Types
24
Planning Department
Little Rock Planning and Development Department
Zoning Map
Interactive online map
County
Pulaski County
Metro Area
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
Little Rock Zoning System
The Little Rock zoning system includes 24 total zone classifications: 9 residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and others) and 4 commercial zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), as well as 2 mixed-use zones (UU, UU-1) and 3 industrial zones (I-1, I-2, I-3). Little Rock is Arkansas's capital city and largest metro, located at the geographic center of the state on the south bank of the Arkansas River. The city's zoning is governed by the Little Rock Code of Ordinances Chapter 36 (Zoning), last comprehensively updated in 2016. Little Rock uses a traditional residential zone designation system (R-1 through R-5 for single-family and duplex, MF-6 through MF-24 for multifamily by units-per-acre density). Little Rock's geography is defined by the Arkansas River corridor, which separates Little Rock from North Little Rock (a separate city). The city has experienced moderate growth through suburban expansion westward into the Chenal Valley corridor, while older in-town neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Midtown, and the Heights have seen reinvestment. Little Rock serves as the state capital, with state government employment providing a stable economic base alongside healthcare (UAMS — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences), retail, and distribution sectors. The city maintains an interactive zoning map for property lookup.
View Little Rock Zoning Map (interactive online map)
Building & Planning Departments
The Little Rock Building Department (Little Rock Building and Code Enforcement Division) handles all building permit applications, inspections, and code enforcement. You can reach them by phone at (501) 371-4832 or apply online through their permit portal. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm. For zoning questions and land use determinations, contact the Little Rock Planning and Development Department at (501) 371-4790. Zoning information is available online. Always verify current requirements directly with the department before beginning any project, as regulations and fees may have changed since this data was last verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Little Rock?
Yes. Little Rock's Zoning Code (Chapter 36) allows ADUs in residential zones. Detached ADUs up to 900 sqft are permitted in rear yards. No owner-occupancy is required. One parking space is required. Little Rock has affordable permitting costs and low construction costs relative to coastal cities. Contact the Planning and Development Department at (501) 371-4790 or visit littlerock.gov.
What is the Quapaw Quarter and how does it affect home improvement permits?
The Quapaw Quarter is Little Rock's oldest neighborhood — a 160-block area of Victorian-era homes and commercial buildings near downtown. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a local historic district. If your property is in the Quapaw Quarter, exterior changes (including additions, siding, windows, roofing material, and ADU construction) require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Little Rock Historic District Commission before a building permit can be issued. Interior changes do not require historic review. Contact the Planning and Development Department at (501) 371-4790.
Does Arkansas have a cottage food law for home-based food businesses?
Yes. Arkansas Code Annotated Section 20-57-601 allows home-based food production up to $50,000 annual revenue without a state permit. Permitted products include baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, dried herbs, and similar non-hazardous items. In-person sales at the home, farmers markets, and community events. Products must include a label stating they were 'Made in a Home Kitchen Not Inspected by the Arkansas Department of Health.' Little Rock Farmers Market and Hillcrest Farmers Market are popular sales venues.
What tornado safety requirements apply to construction in Little Rock?
Arkansas is in the tornado risk zone — Little Rock receives occasional severe storms, though less frequently than the Oklahoma/Kansas core of Tornado Alley. Little Rock building permits require construction to comply with the Arkansas State Building Code, including wind-load requirements for residential structures. While Little Rock does not mandate storm shelters for all new residential construction, they are highly recommended. Many Little Rock homeowners install in-ground saferooms or above-ground storm shelters in garages.
What permits are required for a swimming pool in Little Rock?
All in-ground pools and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require a building permit from the Little Rock Building and Code Enforcement Division. Permit fees are $150-$800. A pool enclosure (fence) is required. Applications can be submitted online or in person. Review takes approximately 3-5 weeks. Arkansas's hot summers (90°F+ days from May-September) make residential pools a common project in Little Rock.
Source: Little Rock Code of Ordinances Chapter 36 (Zoning); Little Rock Building Code. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source