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Neighborhood Services

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The City of Fort Smith municipal codes and ordinances apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures. The codes include requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment, and facilities:

Light
Ventilation
Space
Heating
Sanitation
Protection from the elements
Life safety
Safety from fire and other hazards
Safe and sanitary maintenance

These codes and ordinances also address the responsibility of owners, operators, and occupants as it relates to the maintenance and management of the property.

Report a Property Maintenance Concern

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Why did I receive a warning notice from Neighborhood Services Division?
If you have received a warning notice on your property or through the mail, it usually means that we have received a complaint or that a Property Maintenance Inspector noticed a code violation while canvassing the area.
What do I need to do to comply?
Please take the time to read the warning that you have received and address all violations that may be listed on your notice. If you are not sure of what is required, don’t delay in contacting us so we may further assist you in explaining what needs to be done to bring your property into compliance.
What am I responsible for on my property?
You, as either the Owner or the tenant, are responsible to maintain your property in clean and sanitary condition. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- All grass and weeds must be maintained less than 6 inches in height
- No trash or debris may be left outside unless it is in a proper trash receptacle
- Indoor furniture, appliances, building materials, will not be permitted to remain outside even if under a carport or on a porch
- Dead limbs and trees must be removed from the property
- You are required by ordinance to maintain the alley or easement that adjoins your property
Why do I have to remove graffiti?
Graffiti is a problem that plagues exterior walls, fencing, garages, sidewalks, and commercial businesses in our city. This problem begins as an eyesore and can result in serious consequences, including increased crime activity, declining property values, and the degradation of a structure’s ability to repel rain and snow. It is the property owner's responsibility to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance. We encourage anyone that has been tagged with graffiti to please file a report with the Fort Smith Police Department.
What happens if I don’t fix my vehicle?
If you have received an inoperable vehicle violation notice, you must contact the Neighborhood Services Division and show that the vehicle is operable. It must be able to start and move under its own power forward and backward. It also must have current registration and not be in a state of disrepair, i.e., flat tires, broken windows, broken headlight/taillights, or missing any parts deemed unsafe. If you fail to contact us, we may take further enforcement action and have the vehicle towed from the property at the owner’s expense. We wish to avoid this, so please contact us as soon as possible.
What happens if I don’t maintain my property?
If you have received notice that you have a violation(s) against the city Property Maintenance Code and fail to comply within the allotted time, the following action may be taken:

Once legal notification has been placed on the property and the certified letter receipt has been returned to our office, and the property remains in violation, it may be assigned to a contractor to abate the property of the violation at the owner’s expense. Our desire is to have the citizens of Fort Smith maintain their property in compliance to avoid this action.
What could happen if I am issued multiple warnings in one year?
If you have been issued three warnings in a calendar year, the third warning may result in an affidavit for failure to care for premises and a Criminal Summons for you to appear in court to give testimony as to why your property cannot be maintained in accordance with the City of Fort Smith Property Maintenance Code. We strongly encourage you to avoid receiving second or third warnings, so please maintain your property within the guidelines of the code.
What can I do if I need more time to comply?
We understand that there can be extenuating circumstances and additional time may be needed to comply. We are more than willing to work with you if you are making a valid effort to bring your property into compliance. If you find that you are in a situation that may prohibit you from complying by the allotted time, please contact our office.

Inspection and Compliance

When a service request is received regarding possible violations of the City of Fort Smith codes and ordinances, an inspection will be performed to determine if a violation(s) exists.

The property will be inspected from areas of public view such as rights-of-way, alleys, public access easements, adjoining properties with permission, or on the subject property itself with permission by an occupant and/or owner.
If permission to inspect is not granted and reasonable cause can be shown, an affidavit may be submitted for an Administrative Search Warrant to enter the property to perform the inspection.
If a violation or violations exist, a notice of violation will be posted on the property and a copy of the notice will be mailed to the owner and/or occupant. The notice and cover letter will outline the type of violation(s) and the time frame in which the property is to be brought into compliance. The time frame will vary depending on the type of violation.

Actions that may be taken will also vary depending on the type of violation. General information on the type of violation and resulting action for non-compliance can be found below.

Environmental Violations: 7-Day Warning Notice

Includes but not limited to grass & weeds, trash & debris, dead trees and/or dead limbs, indoor appliances, indoor furniture, open storage, blind corners, etc.
If the property remains in violation and is not brought into compliance, a contractor will be hired to abate the violation(s) and all costs and expenses associated with the abatement action will be billed to the property owner. Failure of the owner to pay the bill will result in a lien being placed against the property.

Graffiti Violations: 10-Day Warning Notice

If the property remains in violation and is not brought into compliance, a contractor will be hired to abate the violation(s) and all costs and expenses associated with the abatement action will be billed to the property owner. The failure of the owner to pay the bill will result in a lien being placed against the property.

Inoperable Vehicle Violations: 30-Day Warning Notice

If the vehicle(s) remains in violation, it will be towed by a local towing company and notice will be left on the property identifying the towing company, address, and contact information where the vehicle(s) was/were taken. The owner of the vehicle(s) is responsible for any charges by the towing company including but not limited to any storage fees. Any charges billed by the City of Fort Smith will be the responsibility of the owner of the property where the violation(s) occurred. Failure of the owner to pay the bill will result in a lien being placed against the property.

Parking Violations: 7-Day Notice

Failure to correct parking violation(s) would result in the issuance of a Warning Ticket. If the property remains in violation, a Citation could be issued as a summons to appear in court.

Residential Vehicle Sales: Violations 7-Day Notice

Failure to correct the situation would result in the issuance of a Warning Ticket. If the property remains in violation, a Citation could be issued as a summons to appear in court.

Fencing Regulations and Protection of Properties Violations: 7-Day Notice

Includes blowing of grass clippings and yard waste into the street and times allowed for placement and removal of trash containers curbside.
Failure to correct the violation(s) would result in the issuance of a Warning Ticket. If the property remains in violation, a Citation could be issued as a summons to appear in court.

Property Maintenance Code Violations

A letter of notice of violations is sent to the owner of the property via certified mail outlining the violation(s) that exist. The City will then work with the owner timewise in bringing the property into compliance depending upon the severity of the violation(s). Failure to bring the property into compliance could result in an Affidavit Fort Criminal Summons being issued by the City Prosecuting Attorney's Office. If a property remains in violation and is in such a shape to require the boarding up or demolition of the structure, a contractor will be hired through a bid process and all cost and expenses associated with the abatement action will be billed to the property owner. Failure of the owner to pay the bill will result in a lien being placed against the property.