Land — South Central — AR
Water rights, rainwater law, cottage food rules, right-to-farm protections, livestock zoning, and growing conditions for Arkansas landowners and buyers.
Land law varies by county, municipality, and HOA. Verify all information with your county planning department, state water agency, and a licensed attorney before any land purchase or development decision.
Water law
Riparian doctrine with reasonable use. Arkansas also has a groundwater right registration system for significant withdrawals. Contact Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
No state restrictions. Collection permitted without limit.
Land use and production law
Permits baked goods and certain low-risk foods; $50,000 gross annual cap; direct consumer sales only. Verify with Arkansas Department of Health.
Arkansas Right to Farm Act (Ark. Code Ann. §2-4-101) protects established agricultural operations.
Rural and agricultural zones generally unrestricted. Residential zones vary by county.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
6a (Ozarks) – 8a (southeast)
Last frost
Mar 1 (south) – Apr 15 (Ozarks)
First frost
Oct 15 (north) – Nov 15 (south)
Free soil testing
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Extension — click to visit
Soil notes
Delta lowlands have some of the most productive alluvial soils in the country. Ozark plateau soils are shallow, rocky, and acidic. Ouachita Mountain soils are similarly thin. Most garden soils benefit from organic matter amendment.