on September 10, 2026

Arkansas Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Arkansas has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. None of them uses a set ticket amount. Fines are set by a judge within a range the code allows.

Why Arkansas leaves it to cities

Arkansas has no statewide statute requiring dog-waste pickup; cities regulate it in their own codes. City fines are limited by the state law on ordinance penalties (A.C.A. 14-55-501 et seq., cited as the source of authority in both the Little Rock and Fort Smith general penalty sections), which is why those cities cap fines at $1,000 for a first offense with higher caps for repeats.

  • Penalties for municipal ordinance violations (as cited in Little Rock Code 1-9): A.C.A. 14-55-501 et seq. (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Arkansas's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Little Rock Little Rock Code Sec. 6-3(c) (Sanitary conditions); penalty Sec. 6-2(a) and Sec. 1-9 Up to $1,000 No
Fayetteville Fayetteville Code 92.06(A) (Animal waste, offensive odors prohibited); parks 97.038; Farmers' Market 114.02(H); penalty 92.99(A) $50 to $500 No
Fort Smith Fort Smith Municipal Code Sec. 4-110 (Animal waste), Ord. No. 35-23 (3-21-2023); penalty Sec. 1-9 Up to $1,000 Yes

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Fort Smith, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Arkansas

  • Fort Smith added a carry requirement in 2023 (Ord. No. 35-23): walking a dog on someone else's property without a pickup device and a container is itself a violation, and repeat maximums climb to $2,000 and then $4,000.
  • Little Rock requires owners to clear dog waste from their own yard or pen at least every 48 hours (6-3(b)), not just to pick up in public.
  • Fayetteville's Farmers' Market rule is a rare 'show your bag' requirement: officers can ask to see the bag on the Square during market hours (114.02(H)).

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Arkansas?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Arkansas?

It depends on the city. Little Rock: Up to $1,000. Fayetteville: $50 to $500. Fort Smith: Up to $1,000.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Arkansas?

In Fort Smith, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Other states in the South

Texas · Florida · Georgia · North Carolina · Virginia · Tennessee · Maryland · South Carolina

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.