Short-Term Rental Regulations in Arkansas (AR)
Arkansas has a minimal level of short-term rental regulation. Very STR-friendly. No statewide STR registration is required. No state-level license is needed. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit taxes. Arkansas has no statewide STR-specific law. Platforms collect and remit state and local sales/lodging taxes. Municipalities may adopt local ordinances. Eureka Springs and Hot Springs have STR-specific rules.
Full Requirements Summary
Arkansas has 0 key regulatory requirements at the state level.
| Requirement | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| STRs Allowed | Yes | Short-term rentals are legal |
| Statewide Law | No | No statewide STR law; local regulation |
| Registration Required | No | No state registration needed |
| License Required | No | No state-level license |
| Primary Residence Only | No | Investment properties allowed |
| Maximum Nights/Year | No limit | No annual night limit at state level |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum | No minimum stay requirement |
| Host Presence Required | No | Un-hosted stays allowed |
| Insurance Required | No | No state insurance mandate |
| Safety Inspection | No | No state-required inspection |
| Platform Tax Collection | Yes | Platforms collect and remit taxes |
City-Level STR Regulations in Arkansas
Rules diverge across Arkansas: Hot Springs is the strictest of the 5 cities we track (moderate), while Bentonville is the most permissive (minimal).
| City | Restriction Level | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | Moderate | STR permits required in certain zones. Tourist destination with moderate regulation. |
| Eureka Springs | Moderate | STR permit required. Zoning restrictions apply. Annual renewal needed. |
| Little Rock | Minimal | No dedicated STR ordinance. Standard business license and lodging tax apply. |
| Fayetteville | Minimal | STRs generally allowed. Hotel/motel tax collected. University town with growing STR market. |
| Bentonville | Minimal | No specific STR regulations beyond standard business licensing. |
How Arkansas Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of Arkansas with five states that have similar STR regulation levels. This helps illustrate where Arkansas stands nationally in terms of short-term rental friendliness.
| State | Restriction Level | Registration | License | Night Cap | Platform Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (AR) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Alabama (AL) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | No |
| Alaska (AK) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | No |
| Indiana (IN) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | Yes |
| Kansas (KS) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | No |
| Mississippi (MS) | Minimal | No | No | No limit | No |
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas STR Regulations
Can I legally operate an Airbnb in Arkansas?
Yes, short-term rentals are legal in Arkansas. No state-level registration is required, though your city may have its own requirements. The state's overall restriction level is minimal.
Does Airbnb collect taxes in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas has a platform accountability law. Airbnb and other platforms collect and remit applicable state and/or local taxes on behalf of hosts.
Which city in Arkansas has the strictest Airbnb rules?
Among the cities we track, Hot Springs has the most restrictive STR regulations in Arkansas with a moderate restriction level. STR permits required in certain zones. Tourist destination with moderate regulation.
Check Another State or City
Use our STR regulation lookup tool to find the exact rules for your specific city in Arkansas, or browse all 50 states to compare short-term rental friendliness across the country.