Short-Term Rental Laws in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville operates a two-type STR system: Type 1 (Owner-Occupied) STRs are permitted by right in all residential zones with registration; Type 2 (Non-Owner-Occupied) STRs require a conditional use permit in single-family residential zones (RSF-4, RSF-8, RSF-18) and are subject to a block-face density cap of approximately 2 Type 2 STRs per block face. Multi-family (RMF-12, RMF-24, RMF-40), mixed-use, and downtown zones permit Type 2 with registration. The U of A football season drives the major demand cycle.

Type 1 (owner-occupied): all residential zones with registration. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied): CUP + block-face density cap in RSF-4, RSF-8, RSF-18; permitted in RMF-12, RMF-24, RMF-40, MSC (Main Street Center), DG (Downtown General), DC (Downtown Core), and commercial zones with registration. Verify block-face saturation via Fayetteville Planning before any offer in single-family zones.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Fayetteville Planning administers Type 1 registration + Type 2 CUP applications. CUPs require Planning Commission hearing + neighbor notification. Annual renewal includes block-face cap re-verification. Operating without registration/CUP: $500+ per violation + back-tax + HMR assessment + permit revocation. Washington County also has unincorporated-area STR rules.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Fayetteville is approximately 13.000% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Arkansas State sales 6.5% + Washington County 1.25% + Fayetteville city sales 2% + Fayetteville HMR (hotel/motel/restaurant) tax 2% + supplemental lodging 1.25% — combined ~13.0% on transient lodging

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.