Arkansas landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules for Augusta, McCrory & Cotton Plant
📍 County Seat: Augusta 👥 Pop. 6,269 (2020) • 2nd Smallest in AR by Population ⚖️ 1st Judicial Circuit 🗞️ Named for Arkansas Gazette Founder / 1902 NR Courthouse / Delta Agriculture / White River / Cache River NWR / Mosquitofest
Woodruff County was established on November 26, 1862, as Arkansas’s 54th county, carved from portions of Arkansas and Lawrence counties. It was named for William E. Woodruff, founder of the Arkansas Gazette — Arkansas’s first newspaper, established in 1819 and once the oldest continuously published newspaper west of the Mississippi River. With a 2020 census population of just 6,269, Woodruff County is the second-smallest county in Arkansas by population, though it covers 587 square miles of fertile Arkansas Delta land. Its county seat, Augusta, was founded in 1848 as a trading post on the site of an abandoned Native American village on the bank of the White River — a river that still forms most of the county’s western boundary.
The county’s economy is anchored by Delta agriculture — particularly rice, soybeans, cotton, and grain — with light industry in Augusta, McCrory, and Cotton Plant. The scenic White River and Cache River provide year-round hunting and fishing. The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge runs north–south across the county, preserving bottomland forests and vital waterfowl habitat. All evictions in Woodruff County are filed in the 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Augusta. Alcohol rules in Woodruff County are nuanced: the Town of Augusta allows beer sales only; most of the surrounding county is otherwise dry. Verify current local-option status before advertising alcohol amenities in any property listing.
⚠️ Alcohol Status Note: Woodruff County has a nuanced alcohol status. Per Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control records, the Town of Augusta permits beer sales only. The remainder of Woodruff County is generally dry. Do not describe properties as being in a “wet county” for advertising or lease purposes. Confirm the current local-option status for each specific address with the Woodruff County Clerk at (870) 347-2871 or the Arkansas ABC Division before advertising alcohol-related amenities. Apply all lease provisions consistently.
🗞️ Named for Arkansas Gazette Founder — William E. Woodruff founded the Arkansas Gazette in 1819 — the first newspaper in Arkansas and once the oldest continuously published newspaper west of the Mississippi; Woodruff was also one of the most influential figures in early Arkansas territorial and state government |
🏛️ 1902 Romanesque Revival Courthouse (NR) — The Woodruff County Courthouse is a rare gem: a 4-story clock tower, multicolored ceramic tile floors with a tile mural, and the unusual distinction of being situated in a residential neighborhood surrounded by historic homes rather than on a public square; designed by Little Rock architect Charles L. Thompson |
🦟 Mosquitofest — McCrory — McCrory’s beloved annual Mosquitofest (mid-June) features arts and crafts, a community fish fry, live entertainment, and contests — a quintessentially Delta celebration that draws visitors from across the region |
🦆 Cache River National Wildlife Refuge — One of the most important waterfowl refuges in the central Mississippi Flyway; preserves bottomland hardwood forest, sloughs, and wetlands; excellent duck hunting draws hunters from across the nation each winter
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Augusta (~1,998 in 2020)
Other Cities
McCrory, Cotton Plant, Patterson, Hunter
Population
6,269 (2020) — 2nd smallest in AR by population
Land Area
587 sq mi — 13th smallest in AR
Economy
Rice, soybeans, cotton, grain agriculture; light industry; hunting/fishing recreation; White River and Cache River
Court
1st Judicial Circuit (Monroe, Lee, Woodruff, Cross, St. Francis, Phillips)
Rent Control
None
Alcohol
Augusta: beer only; balance of county: dry — verify by address
⚡ 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.
Woodruff County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Circuit Clerk & Filing
All evictions in Woodruff County are filed in the 1st Judicial Circuit Court (Monroe, Lee, Woodruff, Cross, St. Francis, and Phillips counties). Circuit Clerk: Lori Grisham — 500 N. 3rd Street, Augusta, AR 72006; Phone: (870) 347-2391; Fax: (870) 347-8703. The 1902 Romanesque Revival courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is distinctive for its 4-story clock tower, multicolored ceramic tile floors with a tile mural, and its unusual siting within a residential neighborhood surrounded by historic homes rather than on a traditional public square. Designed by Little Rock architect Charles L. Thompson, who also designed the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville.
Rent Control
None. Arkansas preempts local rent control statewide. Landlords 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 dated 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 the tenant remedies the violation 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.
Small-County Market Considerations
With a county population of only 6,269 and an Augusta city population of just under 2,000, Woodruff County has one of the smallest rental markets in Arkansas. Key considerations: (1) Tenant pool is extremely small — apply consistent, well-documented screening criteria to all applicants. (2) Agricultural employment (farm workers, equipment operators, seasonal laborers) is the dominant income source; accept USDA-regulated farm worker pay stubs and employer letters. (3) Seasonal flooding and hunting seasons affect tenant movement patterns — include flood and property-condition disclosures. (4) Light industrial workers in Augusta, McCrory, and Cotton Plant may represent the most stable year-round tenancy profile. (5) Do not discriminate on the basis of race or national origin, which remain persistent Fair Housing compliance concerns in many Delta counties.
Delta Agricultural Workforce
Rice, soybeans, cotton, and grain dominate the local economy. Agricultural workforce income may be seasonal, irregular, or paid per-acre or per-yield rather than hourly. Accept documented income in any form: pay stubs, USDA employer statements, tax returns (Schedule F for farm income). Do not penalize applicants for income seasonality if annualized income meets your threshold. Apply income standards consistently to all applicants regardless of race.
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 (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. Use the lawful judicial process through the 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Augusta.
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.
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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.
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⚠️ 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.
Woodruff County market: 1st Judicial Circuit; Circuit Clerk Lori Grisham, 500 N. 3rd St., Augusta, (870) 347-2391, fax (870) 347-8703. Alcohol: Augusta beer-only; most of county is dry — verify by address. Very small market (pop. 6,269): document all screening decisions carefully. Agricultural income may be seasonal; accept Schedule F farm income, USDA employer letters, annualized pay stubs. Apply Fair Housing consistently — especially race protections in Delta counties. No rent control in AR.
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.
Woodruff County Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law: The Arkansas Gazette, an Extraordinary 1902 Courthouse, and What Landlords Need to Know in the Heart of the Delta
Woodruff County was established on November 26, 1862, from portions of Arkansas and Lawrence counties, in the middle of the Civil War — an unusual moment for county formation, and one that required formal re-approval in 1865 after the war’s conclusion. It was named for William E. Woodruff, who founded the Arkansas Gazette in 1819, the first newspaper in Arkansas Territory and for many decades the oldest continuously published newspaper west of the Mississippi River. Woodruff also played a central role in early Arkansas territorial and state government, making the county’s name a tribute to one of the most consequential journalists and public figures in Arkansas history.
Augusta and the 1902 Courthouse
Augusta was founded in 1848 as a trading post on the site of an abandoned Native American village on the western bank of the White River. The town served briefly as the Jackson County seat before Woodruff County was carved out, and it was made the Woodruff County seat upon the county’s organization. The present courthouse — a 1902 Romanesque Revival structure designed by Little Rock architect Charles L. Thompson (who also designed the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville) — is one of the most architecturally distinctive courthouses in Arkansas. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it features a four-story clock tower, a 1,000-pound bell, multicolored ceramic tile floors with a tile mural, and the rare distinction of being situated not on a public square but in a residential neighborhood surrounded by historic homes. Circuit Clerk Lori Grisham and the 1st Judicial Circuit Court operate from this address: 500 N. 3rd Street, Augusta, AR 72006, (870) 347-2391.
Delta Agriculture, the Cache River, and Mosquitofest
Woodruff County’s fertile, flat Delta land — drained by the White River along the western boundary and the Cache River running north to south — is ideally suited to large-scale rice, soybean, cotton, and grain production. Mechanized Delta agriculture transformed the county over the 20th century, and today farm operations and light industry in Augusta, McCrory, and Cotton Plant represent the backbone of local employment. The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, spanning much of the county, is one of the most significant waterfowl refuges on the central Mississippi Flyway and draws duck hunters from across the nation. McCrory’s annual Mosquitofest — held each mid-June — celebrates community life with arts, crafts, a fish fry, live entertainment, and contests, offering a festive contrast to the county’s otherwise quiet agricultural pace.
During the Civil War, Woodruff County was the site of several engagements, including the Action at Fitzhugh’s Woods and the Action at Hill’s Plantation — both Union victories. Sergeant Edward Pike earned the Medal of Honor for his actions at Hill’s Plantation. In the war’s aftermath, Reconstruction brought martial law to the county in December 1868 when Governor Powell Clayton sent militia to suppress Ku Klux Klan activity, resulting in arrests, civilian deaths, and looting by state forces — one of the more turbulent episodes in the county’s history.
Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law in Woodruff County
All residential rental relationships in Woodruff County are governed by statewide Arkansas law. There is no local rent control anywhere in Arkansas. Woodruff County’s alcohol status is nuanced: the Town of Augusta permits beer sales only, while most of the remaining county is dry. Verify the exact local-option status for each property address with the Woodruff County Clerk or the Arkansas ABC Division before advertising any alcohol-related amenities. For nonpayment, serve a 3-day written notice to vacate, then file an Unlawful Detainer complaint with Circuit Clerk Lori Grisham, 500 N. 3rd Street, Augusta, AR 72006, (870) 347-2391. 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 written itemized deductions within 60 days. No implied warranty of habitability by default; no repair-and-deduct remedy; self-help evictions are prohibited. In this small Delta county, consistent and well-documented Fair Housing compliance — especially regarding race and national origin — is essential.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Fair Housing laws apply to all screening practices. 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. Woodruff County alcohol status varies by address — verify with the County Clerk or AR ABC Division. Fair Housing laws apply to all screening practices including race and national origin protections. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
