Can I keep chickens in Fort Smith, AR?
Yes — Fort Smith allows backyard chickens, up to 20 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance sec. 27-701-4 (Fowl), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 20 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 21,780 sq ft |
| Coop rules | All fowl kept in a fenced rear yard. Coops, roosts, or water features kept sanitary and no closer than 25 ft to an adjacent residential structure. Ducks and female chickens only. |
| Code section | Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance sec. 27-701-4 (Fowl) |
Fort Smith allows up to 20 fowl (ducks and female chickens only; no roosters) on residential lots of at least 21,780 sq ft (one-half acre). Keeping more than 20 is allowed only on lots over five acres with conditional-use approval. Fowl must be in a fenced rear yard, and any coop must be at least 25 ft from an adjacent residential structure.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fort Smith?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Fort Smith (Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance sec. 27-701-4 (Fowl)).
How many chickens can I keep in Fort Smith?
Up to 20 hens. Tiered by lot size: 0 up to 21,780 sq ft; 20 up to 217,800 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Fort Smith?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Fort Smith.
Are roosters allowed in Fort Smith?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fort Smith.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Fort Smith?
25 feet minimum. All fowl kept in a fenced rear yard. Coops, roosts, or water features kept sanitary and no closer than 25 ft to an adjacent residential structure. Ducks and female chickens only.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Fort Smith?
Yes — 21,780 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance sec. 27-701-4 (Fowl). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Fort Smith Unified Development Ordinance sec. 27-701-4 (Fowl) — read the official code
“All fowl shall be kept in a fenced rear yard.” source
“A maximum of 20 fowl shall be allowed on lots of at least 21,780 square feet.” source
“Allowed fowl shall include ducks and/or female chickens only. No roosters shall be allowed.” source
“If coops, roosts, or a water feature are utilized they must be kept in a sanitary condition and shall not be located closer than 25 feet to an adjacent residential structure” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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