ADU Laws in Arkansas (2026)
Arkansas state ADU law details, key provisions, preemption status, and recent legislative changes for accessory dwelling units.
Law Name
Arkansas Act 313 of 2025 (HB1503) — codified at Ark. Code § 14-56-205, Accessory Dwelling Units · Verified September 2, 2026 · Source
Effective Date
2026-01-01 · Verified September 2, 2026 · Source
Preempts Local Ordinances
Yes — state law overrides local restrictions · Verified September 2, 2026 · Source
Has State Law
Yes
Statewide ADU Preemption Applies
State law establishes statewide preemption standards that supersede local regulations. The citation and source below confirm the verified legal basis.
Key Provisions
Municipalities may not adopt a policy, regulation, or ordinance that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise regulates the use of at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot or parcel that contains a single-family dwelling. · Source
Municipalities may not require additional parking, or fees in lieu of additional parking, to accommodate an accessory dwelling unit. · Source
Municipalities may not require an accessory dwelling unit to match the exterior design, roof pitch, or finishing materials of the single-family dwelling. · Source
Municipalities may not require that the single-family dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit be occupied by the owner. · Source
Municipalities may not require a familial, marital, or employment relationship between the occupants of the single-family dwelling and the occupants of the accessory dwelling unit. · Source
Municipalities may not assess development impact fees on the construction of an accessory dwelling unit in excess of $250. · Source
Municipalities may not set maximum building heights, minimum setback requirements, minimum lot sizes, maximum lot coverages, or minimum building frontages for accessory dwelling units that are more restrictive than those for the single-family dwelling on the lot. · Source
A local policy, regulation, or ordinance in effect on or after January 1, 2026 that does not comply with this section is invalid to the extent of its conflict with § 14-56-205. · Source
Official Sources
What Does Preemption Mean for Local Cities?
Because Arkansas law preempts local ordinances, individual cities cannot impose restrictions stricter than the state standard. A city may still have additional administrative requirements, but cannot deny ADU applications that comply with state minimums.
Learn about Arkansaszoning preemption →Source: Arkansas Act 313 of 2025 (HB1503) — codified at Ark. Code § 14-56-205, Accessory Dwelling Units. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source