All Roll Calls
Yes: 96 • No: 21
ArkansasHB15032025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE REGULATION OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
Sponsored By: Nicole Clowney (Democratic), Bart Hester (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Homeowners gain extra homes with limits
Beginning January 1, 2026, Arkansas cities must allow at least one accessory dwelling on a lot with a single-family home. Approval cannot require a public hearing, zoning exception, or other discretionary zoning decision. The unit must have its own entrance, cooking, sleeping, and bathroom facilities. It can be inside the home, attached, or detached. Attached or detached units cannot exceed 75% of the home's interior living area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. Cities cannot require extra parking, parking replacement fees, matching exterior designs, owner occupancy, or family, marriage, or employment ties between occupants. Height, setback, lot size, lot coverage, and frontage rules cannot be stricter than those for the adjacent single-family home. Cities also cannot impose more demanding development standards than the law allows. Required street or sidewalk work is limited to repairing or rebuilding streets disturbed by construction. Cities cannot require restrictive property agreements or make permits, licenses, or use depend on adopting or enforcing them; private agreements remain allowed. Cities may regulate, but cannot prohibit, short-term rentals covered by this law: owner-occupied homes or units rented for 30 days or less. Building, fire, and other applicable requirements still apply, and cities may allow more permissive rules. Conflicting city rules in effect on or after January 1, 2026, are invalid to the extent they conflict.
Capped fees for homeowners adding dwellings
Cities cannot charge more than $250 per accessory dwelling for reviewing an application. Development impact fees for construction also cannot exceed $250. Cities may still charge their usual building fees, so these caps do not limit total fees to $500.
Utility approval checks for homeowners adding dwellings
Cities cannot require separate water and sewer service for an accessory dwelling. They may require letters from both municipal systems confirming that they will provide service. If either municipal service is unavailable, a city may instead require approval from the Arkansas Department of Health. Cities are allowed, but not required, to request these documents.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Nicole Clowney
Democratic • House
Bart Hester
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Brit McKenzie
Republican • House
Justin Gonzales
Republican • House
Jay Richardson
Democratic • House
Stetson Painter
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, March 12, 2025 4:00:16 PM
Yes: 29 • No: 2
House vote • 3/6/2025
House Vote - Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:00:18 PM
Yes: 67 • No: 19 • Other: 7
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1503 is now Act 313
3/18/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
3/13/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
3/12/2025HouseReturned from the Senate as passed.
3/12/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed.
3/12/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
3/12/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
3/11/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/6/2025SenateReceived from the House.
3/6/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
3/6/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
3/5/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/4/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/4/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/4/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/17/2025HouseFiled
2/17/2025House
Bill Text
HB1503 - Introduced
2/17/2025
Act Version
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