Little Rock Zoning & Land Use Guide

Sources checked· 2026-10-04

Last updated: 2026-10-04Verified: 2026-10-04

Notable local initiatives in Little Rock

Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Little Rock — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.

Urban Use Zoning District Update (Ord. 22,695)(2025)
Adopted December 16, 2025. Updates Little Rock's Urban Use Zoning District. The text governs until Municode integration is complete; the city explicitly notes that the changes are not yet reflected in the online code.
Source · littlerock.gov
End of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)(2025)
Effective August 5, 2025, the City of Little Rock no longer holds planning or regulatory authority in areas outside city limits (previously the ETJ) due to changes in Arkansas state law. Land-use decisions in those areas now fall to Pulaski County.
Source · littlerock.gov
Little Rock Code of Ordinances Chapter 36 — Zoning
Little Rock's full zoning ordinance is codified in Chapter 36, hosted on Municode. The Department of Planning and Development operates five divisions handling zoning verification, building permits, historic preservation, land-use controls, and enforcement.
Source · library.municode.com

Key Zoning Facts

Local Zoning / Building Office

City of Little Rock Department of Planning and Development(501) 371-4790

Building Code Edition

Locally adopted building code

ADU / Accessory Apartment

Yes

Example District

R-1 — Single-Family Residential

Max Height

Verify with Department of Planning and Development

Regulatory Layers That Apply in Little Rock

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
View FEMA Flood Map

State — Arkansas

Building Code: No mandatory statewide residential building code

View Arkansas zoning overview

County — Pulaski County

Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning. As of August 5, 2025, the City of Little Rock no longer holds planning or regulatory authority in areas outside city limits (previously the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or ETJ) due to changes in state law.

City / Municipal

The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

Urban Use Zoning District — Form-based urban district adopted/updated by Ord. 22,695 on December 16, 2025. Updates are not yet fully reflected in Municode.

Private Restrictions

Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

R-1Single-Family Residential

Min Lot: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Max Height: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Front Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Side Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Rear Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development

R-3Multi-Family Residential

Min Lot: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Max Height: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Front Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Side Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Rear Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development

C-2Shopping Center District

Min Lot: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Max Height: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Front Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Side Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development
Rear Setback: Verify with Department of Planning and Development

UUUrban Use District

Min Lot: See Ord. 22,695
Max Height: See Ord. 22,695
Front Setback: See Ord. 22,695
Side Setback: See Ord. 22,695
Rear Setback: See Ord. 22,695

District Code	Name	Min Lot	Max Height	Front Setback	Side Setback	Rear Setback	FAR
R-1	Single-Family Residential	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	—
R-3	Multi-Family Residential	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	—
C-2	Shopping Center District	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	Verify with Department of Planning and Development	—
UU	Urban Use District	See Ord. 22,695	See Ord. 22,695	See Ord. 22,695	See Ord. 22,695	See Ord. 22,695	—

ADU Rules in Little Rock

ADUs:Allowed

Max Size: Attached or detached ADU: 75% of the primary dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less, under Ordinance 22,647
Rear Setback: Apply the single-family residential setback provisions of the applicable zoning district and current ADU ordinance
Side Setback: Apply the single-family residential setback provisions of the applicable zoning district and current ADU ordinance
Parking: Arkansas Act 313 limits local ADU parking requirements; check current Little Rock implementation for the parcel

Permit Costs & Timelines

Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines

Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.

Check current Little Rock permit information →

Official Sources

City-specific

City of Little Rock Planning & Developmentlittlerock.govOfficial source Little Rock ADU Current Project / Ordinance 22,647littlerock.govOfficial source Ordinance 22,647 — Accessory Dwelling Unitslittlerock.govOfficial source Little Rock Municipal Codelibrary.municode.comOfficial source

Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Zoning codes and building regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local planning department and building authority before making any decisions.