Arkansas Pet Rent Laws in 2025: A Guide for Landlords

Pets have become an important part of many households, and more renters than ever are looking for pet-friendly housing. For landlords in Arkansas, allowing pets can be a great way to attract tenants, reduce vacancy rates, and create long-term rental relationships. However, renting to pet owners also comes with challenges, such as potential property damage, noise complaints, and liability concerns.

Unlike some states, Arkansas does not have extensive laws specifically regulating pet rent or deposits. Instead, landlords have the right to decide whether to allow pets, how to structure pet-related fees, and how to enforce lease agreements. Understanding Arkansas rental laws, including security deposit limits and eviction procedures, is crucial for landlords to create legally sound and effective pet policies.

Additionally, landlords must be aware of the legal distinctions between pets, service animals, and emotional support animals (ESAs). Federal laws, such as the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), require landlords to accommodate service animals and ESAs, even if their rental properties have a no-pet policy.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of pet rental laws in Arkansas, including legal requirements for pet deposits and rent, best practices for setting pet policies, and key considerations for handling service animals. By understanding these regulations, landlords can create fair and enforceable pet policies that protect their property while accommodating responsible pet owners.

Legal Framework Governing Pets in Arkansas Rentals

Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act Overview

In Arkansas, landlords have the discretion to establish pet policies within their rental properties. These policies can include restrictions on the type, size, and number of pets allowed. It's imperative that such policies are clearly outlined in the lease agreement to ensure both parties are aware of their rights and obligations. While landlords can enforce pet restrictions, they must also comply with federal laws concerning assistance animals, which are not considered pets.

Pet Policies in Lease Agreements

A comprehensive lease agreement in Arkansas should address the following pet-related aspects:

• Pet Permissions and Restrictions: Specify whether pets are allowed and detail any limitations on breed, size, or species.
• Deposits and Fees: Clearly state any required pet deposits or fees, ensuring they align with Arkansas's legal limits.
• Tenant Responsibilities: Outline expectations for pet care, maintenance, and adherence to community standards to prevent nuisances.
• Consequences of Policy Violations: Define the repercussions for breaching pet policies, which may include fines, mandatory pet removal, or eviction.

Evictions Related to Pets

Landlords in Arkansas can initiate eviction proceedings if a tenant violates pet policies outlined in the lease. Common grounds for pet-related evictions include:

• Unauthorized Pets: Keeping pets without the landlord's consent.
• Property Damage: Pets causing significant harm to the property beyond normal wear and tear.
• Disturbances: Pets creating excessive noise or posing a threat to other tenants.

In such cases, landlords must provide a 14-day notice to cure or quit, allowing tenants the opportunity to rectify the violation or vacate the premises. Failure to comply can lead to eviction proceedings.

Security Deposits and Pet Fees

State Regulations on Security Deposits

Arkansas law permits landlords to collect a security deposit up to two months' rent. This cap includes all deposits, whether labeled as damage deposits, pet deposits, or otherwise. For example, if the monthly rent is $1,000, the maximum allowable security deposit would be $2,000. It's important to note that landlords who own five or fewer rental units and do not use a management company are exempt from this security deposit limit.

Implementing Pet Rent

In addition to security deposits, Arkansas landlords may opt to charge pet rent—a recurring monthly fee added to the tenant's rent to cover potential additional wear and tear caused by pets. Unlike security deposits, pet rent is typically non-refundable and serves as extra income to offset potential pet-related expenses. There is no statutory limit on the amount landlords can charge for pet rent; however, it's advisable to set reasonable fees to remain competitive in the rental market.

Pet Deposits vs. Pet Fees vs. Pet Rent

Understanding the distinctions between various pet-related charges is crucial:

• Pet Deposit: A one-time, refundable amount collected to cover potential pet-related damages. This deposit counts toward the total security deposit limit of two months' rent.
• Pet Fee: A one-time, non-refundable fee charged for allowing a pet on the premises. This fee must be clearly stated as non-refundable in the lease agreement and is separate from the security deposit.
• Pet Rent: An ongoing, monthly charge added to the tenant's rent for the privilege of having a pet. Pet rent is not part of the security deposit and provides landlords with additional funds to address potential wear and tear.

By clearly outlining these charges in the lease agreement and ensuring they comply with Arkansas's legal requirements, landlords can effectively manage pet-related financial aspects of their rental properties.

Service Animals vs. Pets

While landlords in Arkansas have full discretion over whether to allow pets in their rental properties, they must accommodate tenants with service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) under federal law. These animals are not considered pets, meaning landlords cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or additional fees for them. However, landlords still have rights when it comes to ensuring their properties are protected.

Legal Distinctions

A service animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog that is trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks could include guiding a visually impaired person, detecting seizures, or providing stability for someone with mobility impairments. Unlike regular pets, service animals must be allowed in all rental properties, even those with a no-pet policy.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), on the other hand, do not require specialized training but must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. They are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which means landlords must allow them, even in no-pet housing. However, ESAs do not have the same broad public access rights as service animals.

What Landlords Can and Cannot Do

• Landlords cannot charge extra fees or pet rent for service animals or ESAs. However, if the animal causes property damage, landlords can require the tenant to cover the cost of repairs.
• Service animals do not require documentation, but landlords may ask two specific questions: (1) Is this animal required due to a disability? and (2) What task is it trained to perform?
• For ESAs, landlords may request documentation from a healthcare provider confirming the tenant’s need for the animal. However, they cannot ask for personal medical records.
• If a service animal or ESA becomes a nuisance, is aggressive, or causes excessive property damage, the landlord may take legal action to remove it—but must follow Arkansas’ standard eviction process.

By understanding these legal distinctions, landlords can ensure compliance while still protecting their rental properties.

Best Practices for Landlords

Creating clear, enforceable pet policies helps landlords minimize risks while still accommodating responsible pet owners. A well-structured lease agreement should clearly define pet rules, fees, and expectations for tenants to prevent disputes.

Crafting a Comprehensive Pet Policy

A good pet policy is more than just allowing or banning pets—it should cover every aspect of pet ownership to prevent confusion or legal issues down the road. Key elements to include in a lease agreement are:

• Allowed pets: Specify what types of pets are permitted, including any restrictions on breed, size, or number.
• Fees and deposits: If charging pet rent, deposits, or non-refundable pet fees, these must be clearly listed in the lease.
• Tenant responsibilities: Outline expectations for pet care, noise control, waste disposal, and property maintenance.
• Violation consequences: State what happens if tenants break the pet policy—whether that’s fines, pet removal, or potential eviction.

Landlords who allow pets should also consider requiring tenants to sign a pet addendum, which serves as a separate legal document outlining pet-related responsibilities. This helps landlords enforce rules more effectively while protecting themselves from liability.

Setting Fair and Legal Pet Fees

Arkansas law allows landlords to charge pet deposits, pet rent, and non-refundable pet fees, but landlords should ensure their charges comply with the state’s security deposit limits.

Unlike some states, Arkansas permits landlords to collect a security deposit of up to two months’ rent, which includes any pet deposit. However, landlords who own five or fewer rental units and do not use a property manager are exempt from this limit.

• Pet rent is legal in Arkansas and is a separate, recurring monthly charge that is not included in the security deposit cap.
• Non-refundable pet fees are allowed, but they must be explicitly stated in the lease to be enforceable. If a lease does not specify that a pet fee is non-refundable, Arkansas law considers it refundable.

When determining pet fees, landlords should research local market rates to ensure they are competitive while still covering potential risks. Overpricing pet rent may discourage responsible pet owners, leading to longer vacancies and lost rental income.

Regular Property Inspections

Routine property inspections are one of the most effective ways for landlords to ensure that tenants follow pet policies and that rental units remain in good condition. While Arkansas law does not require specific inspection intervals, landlords must provide tenants with reasonable notice before entering a unit, except in emergencies.

Move-In and Move-Out Inspections

Before a tenant moves in, landlords should document the property’s condition with photos and written notes. This helps establish a baseline in case pet-related damage occurs later. At move-out, the same process should be repeated to determine if any deductions from the security deposit are necessary.

Periodic Inspections

Scheduling mid-lease inspections can help landlords address minor pet-related issues before they become serious. A few best practices include:

• Provide proper notice to tenants: at least 24 to 48 hours is a reasonable timeframe.
• Look for signs of pet-related damage: such as chewed baseboards, scratched floors, or strong pet odors.
• Check for unauthorized pets: if a tenant has an unapproved pet, this could be a lease violation requiring action.

If a pet has caused significant damage beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord may deduct repair costs from the security deposit—but they must provide an itemized list of deductions within 60 days of the tenant moving out.

By conducting regular inspections and keeping detailed records, landlords can protect their property and ensure that tenants are complying with pet policies.

Key Takeaways for Landlords

Renting to pet owners in Arkansas can be a smart strategy for reducing vacancies and attracting long-term tenants, but it also comes with unique responsibilities. By understanding state laws, security deposit limits, and pet-related fees, landlords can create clear policies that protect their rental properties while maintaining compliance with the law.

Final Thoughts on Pet Policies in Arkansas Rentals

• Landlords can charge pet rent, deposits, and non-refundable pet fees, but the total security deposit (including pet deposits) cannot exceed two months' rent—unless the landlord owns five or fewer properties.
• A strong lease agreement should define pet rules clearly, including any restrictions, fees, and tenant responsibilities.
• Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) are not considered pets. Landlords cannot charge pet fees or deposits for them but may request proper documentation for ESAs.
• Unauthorized pets, property damage, or disruptive behavior can be grounds for eviction, but landlords must follow Arkansas’ legal eviction process and provide proper notice.
• Regular property inspections help landlords monitor pet-related wear and tear, giving them the ability to address potential issues before they escalate.

By implementing fair and enforceable pet policies, landlords can strike a balance between accommodating pet owners and protecting their investment. A well-structured approach not only reduces disputes but also helps attract responsible tenants who respect the property and lease terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Pet Rent Laws

What is Act 1052 in Arkansas?

Act 1052, enacted in 2021, amends the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007. It introduces implied habitability standards for rental agreements entered into or renewed after November 1, 2021, ensuring landlords maintain properties that meet basic health and safety requirements.

Can a landlord charge a pet deposit for an emotional support animal in Arkansas?

No, under the Fair Housing Act, emotional support animals (ESAs) are not considered pets. Therefore, landlords cannot charge pet deposits or fees for ESAs. However, tenants are responsible for any damages caused by their ESA.​

What are the laws in Arkansas about dogs?

Arkansas law requires dog owners to keep their pets under control to prevent them from running at large. Additionally, certain municipalities may have specific ordinances regarding leash laws, licensing, and breed restrictions.​

What is the Arkansas Code 18-16-301?

Arkansas Code § 18-16-301 outlines the procedures for the disposition of a tenant's personal property left on the premises after eviction or abandonment. It provides guidelines for landlords on how to handle such property legally.​