Coop Ready Arkansas Fort Smith
Larger lots only
Only on lots of at least half an acre (21,780 sq ft). Fort Smith allows up to 20 hens there, so most typical city home lots cannot keep chickens.
Only female chickens and ducks, flightless or with clipped wings, kept in a fenced back yard on a lot used mainly as a home or school. The city can restrict or ban a flock that becomes a nuisance.
Hen limit
20 (hens and ducks combined) on lots of half an acre to 5 acres; none on smaller lots
Roosters
Banned
Permit
No (over 20 birds on 5+ acres needs Conditional Use approval)
Coop placement
Coops, roosts and water features at least 25 ft from a house on the next lot
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Fort Smith rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Fort Smith?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Fort Smith rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Fort Smith
How many chickens can I have in Fort Smith?
The hen limit in Fort Smith: 20 (hens and ducks combined) on lots of half an acre to 5 acres; none on smaller lots.
Are roosters allowed in Fort Smith?
No. Fort Smith has banned roosters inside city limits since 2023.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Fort Smith?
No permit is needed for up to 20 hens on a lot of half an acre to 5 acres.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Fort Smith?
Where the coop can go in Fort Smith: coops, roosts and water features at least 25 ft from a house on the next lot.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Fort Smith allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More Arkansas cities
- Bentonville, AR
- Conway, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
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- North Little Rock, AR
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Fort Smith before you build.
