Arkansas landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules for Little Rock
📍 County Seat: Little Rock (State Capital) 👥 Pop. 399,125 • AR’s Most Populous County ⚖️ 6th Judicial Circuit 🏛️ State Capital / UAMS / LRAFB / 1957 Desegregation Crisis / Clinton Library / SCRA Applies / Wet County
Pulaski County is the most populous county in Arkansas, home to the state capital, and the economic and governmental center of the state. With 399,125 residents (2020), it anchors a Metropolitan Statistical Area of approximately 748,000 people encompassing Pulaski, Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, and Saline counties. Little Rock — the county seat, state capital, and largest city in Arkansas at 202,591 residents — sits on the south bank of the Arkansas River at roughly the geographic center of the state. The county includes North Little Rock (opposite the river), Jacksonville (home to Little Rock Air Force Base), Sherwood, Maumelle, and other incorporated cities.
The economy is diverse by Arkansas standards: state government is the dominant employer, followed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS, the largest employer in central Arkansas), Little Rock Air Force Base (active C-130J fleet, SCRA implications for landlords), banking and finance, healthcare, retail, logistics, and higher education. The county is a multimodal transportation hub where I-30 and I-40 intersect, with river port access via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. All evictions are filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. Pulaski County is a wet county.
🏛️ Arkansas State Capital — Old State House (1836, museum); current State Capitol (1915, Arkansas granite, scaled replica of US Capitol); 1912 Pulaski County Courthouse (12 statues, 16 marble columns, stained-glass dome rotunda, Count Pulaski bust) |
📚 1957 Little Rock Central High School Crisis — landmark civil rights event; Eisenhower sent 101st Airborne; Little Nine; National Historic Site |
🏥 UAMS & LRAFB — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (largest employer in central AR); Little Rock Air Force Base (C-130J fleet, SCRA applies to military tenants) |
🏛️ Clinton Presidential Library (2004) — on Arkansas River in Little Rock; Pinnacle Mountain State Park; named for French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe’s “la petite roche” (1722)
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Little Rock (202,591 — state capital)
Other Cities
N. Little Rock, Jacksonville, Sherwood, Maumelle
Population
399,125 (2020) — most populous in AR
MSA
Little Rock–NLR–Conway MSA (~748,031)
Major Employers
State government, UAMS, LRAFB, healthcare, banking/finance, retail, logistics
Court
6th Judicial Circuit
Rent Control
None
Alcohol
Wet county
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
Week-to-Week Term.
7-Day Written Notice
Eviction Filing
Unlawful Detainer / Complaint
Tenant Response Window
5 days after summons
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical
Security Deposit Cap
2 months rent (6+ unit landlords)
Deposit Return
60 days after termination
Statute
A.C.A. §§ 18-16-101; 18-17-101 et seq.
Pulaski County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Circuit Clerk & Filing
All evictions in Pulaski County are filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. Combined Circuit and County Clerk: Terri Hollingsworth — 401 W. Markham St., Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201; Main Line: (501) 340-8500; Fax: (501) 421-0293; Court Clerks direct line: (501) 340-8431. The 1912 Pulaski County Courthouse is one of the most architecturally significant courthouses in the state, featuring 12 statues, 16 marble columns, and a magnificent stained-glass dome rotunda above a marble floor with a metal bust of Count Casimir Pulaski at center. File the Unlawful Detainer complaint after the required notice period expires without tenant compliance.
City of Little Rock — Rental Ordinances
The City of Little Rock has local code enforcement requirements that may apply to rental properties, including nuisance abatement and property maintenance standards. Verify current requirements with Little Rock Code Enforcement. No city-wide rental registration requirement exists under state law, but local ordinances may impose additional obligations. Check with the Little Rock Planning and Development department for the most current requirements in your specific area of the city.
Rent Control
None. Arkansas preempts local rent control by statute. No city or county in Arkansas may impose rent control. Landlords in Little Rock and Pulaski County may raise rents freely at renewal or with 30 days’ written notice on month-to-month tenancies.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (A.C.A. § 18-16-304). Applies to landlords renting six or more dwellings. Return with written itemized deductions within 60 days of termination (A.C.A. § 18-16-305).
Notice to Vacate — Nonpayment
Written 3-day notice to vacate required before filing for unlawful detainer for nonpayment. Best practice: wait until rent is at least 5 days past due before serving (A.C.A. § 18-17-901). Retain proof of service.
Lease Violation Notice
For non-rent violations, serve a written 14-day notice to cure or quit identifying the specific breach (A.C.A. § 18-17-701). If remedied within 14 days, the tenancy continues.
Month-to-Month Termination
30-day written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (A.C.A. § 18-17-704). Week-to-week tenancies require 7-day written notice.
⚠️ SCRA — Military Tenants (LRAFB)
Little Rock Air Force Base is located in Jacksonville (Pulaski County) and is home to an active C-130J fleet. Military tenants are protected by the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Key protections: (1) A servicemember who receives deployment or PCS orders may terminate a lease by providing written notice plus a copy of official orders — termination is effective 30 days after the next rent payment due date after notice is given. (2) Courts may stay eviction proceedings involving servicemembers on active duty. (3) Landlords may not charge early termination penalties under SCRA. Always verify military status before proceeding with any adverse action. Contact your attorney if you are unsure whether SCRA applies.
State & Government Workers
State government is the dominant employer in Little Rock, with thousands of employees across dozens of state agencies headquartered in Pulaski County. State government W-2 employees have highly stable, predictable income. Verify with current pay stubs and prior W-2. Federal government employees (including VA hospital staff) similarly stable. UAMS employees: year-round healthcare/academic W-2 employment — straightforward verification.
Healthcare Workers
UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and numerous other healthcare systems anchor one of the largest healthcare employment bases in the state. Permanent staff: W-2 year-round. Traveling nurses and agency clinical staff: verify contract length, daily rate, gross monthly pay, and agency W-2 documentation. Travel nurse placements in Little Rock are common — verify current assignment status before approving.
Higher Education Market
UA Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College, Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, and the Clinton School of Public Service all operate in the county. Students: verify enrollment + document all income sources (parental support, scholarships, part-time employment). Co-signers appropriate for students without independent income. Faculty/staff: year-round W-2.
No Warranty of Habitability (Default)
Arkansas does not impose a general implied warranty of habitability by default. Leases executed after October 2021 carry some statutory habitability protections unless waived in writing. Tenants have no repair-and-deduct remedy under Arkansas law.
Abandoned Property
Personal property remaining after lease termination is deemed abandoned and may be disposed of by the landlord without tenant recourse (A.C.A. § 18-16-108). Document with timestamped photos and video before disposal.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited. Do not attempt lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings without a court order. Always use the lawful judicial process through the 6th Judicial Circuit Court in Little Rock.
Late Fees & NSF Checks
No statutory cap on late fees in Arkansas. Specify amount and grace period in writing in the lease. For returned checks: $30 per check plus bank fees (A.C.A. § 5-37-307(c)(2)(B)).
Notice Type3-Day Notice to Quit (Civil unlawful detainer) / 10-Day Notice (Criminal failure to vacate)
Notice Period3 days
Tenant Can Cure?No - 3-day civil notice is unconditional quit; tenant must vacate (landlord not required to accept late rent)
Days to Hearing5-15 days
Days to Writ1-5 days
Total Estimated Timeline15-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$100-$350
⚠️ Watch Out
Arkansas historically had a criminal eviction statute allowing landlords to charge tenants with a misdemeanor for failure to vacate. This was struck down in 2023 but some counties still reference it. Civil unlawful detainer is now the primary path.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Circuit Court (or District Court with concurrent jurisdiction). Pay the filing fee (~$65-165).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Arkansas eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Arkansas attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Arkansas landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Arkansas —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Arkansas's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate Arkansas-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Arkansas requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Little Rock (county seat/state capital), North Little Rock, Jacksonville (LRAFB), Sherwood, Maumelle, Wrightsville, Cammack Village.
Pulaski County market: 6th Judicial Circuit; Circuit Clerk Terri Hollingsworth, 401 W. Markham St., Ste. 100, Little Rock, (501) 340-8500. Wet county. SCRA applies: verify military orders before any adverse action on LRAFB-connected tenants. State/federal government: W-2, highly stable. UAMS/healthcare: W-2; traveling nurses: verify contract. Higher ed students: enrollment docs + all income sources; co-signers appropriate. Military W-2: stable; outgoing PCS orders trigger SCRA termination rights.
Arkansas key rules: 3-day notice (nonpayment), 14-day cure (violations), 30-day M-to-M termination, no rent control, 60-day deposit return, 2-month cap (6+ unit landlords), no habitability warranty by default, no repair-and-deduct.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Pulaski County Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law: The State Capital, UAMS, Little Rock Air Force Base, the 1957 Desegregation Crisis, and What Every Landlord Needs to Know
Pulaski County is Arkansas in concentrated form — its most populous county, its seat of government, its largest city, its primary healthcare complex, its main military installation, its entertainment hub, and the site of some of the most consequential events in the state’s history, all within 758 square miles on the Arkansas River. The county is named for Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born Continental Army officer who was mortally wounded at the Siege of Savannah in 1779 after being credited with saving George Washington’s life at Brandywine in 1777. The county seat, Little Rock, was named for “la petite roche” — a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River noted by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe in 1722 and used for generations as a river navigation landmark. It was designated as the territorial capital in 1821 and has been the state capital since Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836.
1957: Little Rock Central High School and the Civil Rights Crisis
In September 1957, nine Black students — known as the Little Rock Nine — enrolled at the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in compliance with the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to block their entry. The resulting crisis required President Dwight D. Eisenhower to federalize the Arkansas Guard and dispatch the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock — the first time since Reconstruction that federal troops were sent to a Southern state to enforce civil rights. The event became one of the defining moments of the American Civil Rights Movement and remains a National Historic Site. Little Rock Central High School continues to operate as a school and historic site today.
The Economic Engines: UAMS, LRAFB, and State Government
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is the largest employer in central Arkansas and houses the state’s only medical school, college of pharmacy, college of nursing, college of health professions, and college of public health, along with a major teaching hospital and cancer center. UAMS employs thousands of physicians, nurses, researchers, administrators, and support staff — representing one of the most stable W-2 income pools in any Arkansas rental market. The county also hosts Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, all significant healthcare employers.
Little Rock Air Force Base, located in Jacksonville in the northeastern part of the county, is the Air Force’s primary C-130 Hercules training center and home to an active C-130J fleet. LRAFB is a major employer with thousands of active-duty personnel, civilian employees, and contractor workers living throughout the county. For landlords, the most critical implication is the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): active-duty military personnel who receive permanent change-of-station (PCS) or deployment orders may terminate a lease early with 30 days’ written notice after delivering a copy of their official orders. Landlords cannot charge early termination penalties for SCRA-qualified terminations. Courts may also stay eviction proceedings involving servicemembers on active duty. Always verify whether a tenant is active-duty military before proceeding with any adverse action.
The 1912 Courthouse: One of Arkansas’s Most Impressive
The Pulaski County Courthouse, completed in 1912, is among the most architecturally distinguished courthouses in Arkansas. In the large central hall, 12 imposing statues representing art, justice, agriculture, and machinery stand on pedestals supported by 16 marble columns that ring a two-story rotunda capped with a magnificent stained-glass dome. At the center of the inlaid marble floor — with alternating white and gray radial bands — stands a large metal bust of Count Casimir Pulaski. Every door has large brass fixtures with the seal of the Arkansas Territory engraved on the push plates and “PC” on the doorknobs. Eviction filings for Pulaski County properties are made to the Circuit Clerk’s office in this building at 401 W. Markham Street.
Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law in Pulaski County
All residential rental relationships in Pulaski County are governed by statewide Arkansas law. There is no local rent control anywhere in Arkansas — state law preempts any local rent control ordinance. No landlord licensing requirement exists at the state level, though the City of Little Rock may impose local code enforcement obligations; verify current requirements with the City. For nonpayment, serve a 3-day notice to vacate after rent is 5+ days past due. For lease violations, serve a 14-day notice to cure. Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ written notice to terminate. Security deposits are capped at two months’ rent for landlords with six or more units, returned with itemized deductions within 60 days. No implied warranty of habitability by default; no repair-and-deduct remedy; self-help evictions prohibited.
File evictions with Circuit Clerk Terri Hollingsworth, 401 W. Markham St., Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 340-8500.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. SCRA protections are federal law and supersede state landlord-tenant procedures for qualifying servicemembers. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is federal law that may supersede state landlord-tenant procedures for qualifying military tenants. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
