Bill > HB1503

This bill amends Arkansas law to establish comprehensive regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are defined as self-contained living units on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling. The bill requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU "by right" on residential lots, meaning without requiring public hearings, special permits, or discretionary zoning actions. Municipalities are prohibited from imposing various restrictions on ADUs, such as mandating additional parking, requiring owner occupancy, demanding matching exterior design, assessing high development impact fees, or enforcing overly restrictive building standards. The bill limits application fees for ADUs to $250 and specifies that an ADU cannot be larger than 75% of the primary dwelling's floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is smaller. Municipalities can still regulate short-term rentals and must ensure that ADUs meet basic regulatory requirements like fire prevention codes and local zoning ordinances. The provisions will become effective on January 1, 2026, and any existing municipal regulations that conflict with these guidelines will be considered invalid. Importantly, the bill does not prevent municipalities from adopting more permissive ADU regulations and allows them to require basic utility service confirmations.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1503&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R