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Bill

HB 1510

TO REPEAL THE AUTHORITY FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO EXERCISE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER AN UNINCORPORATED AREA OF A COUNTY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justin Gonzales and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1510 transfers land use authority from municipalities to county planning boards in Arkansas, impacting development processes in unincorporated areas.

Notification that HB1510 is now Act 314
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1510

Summary of House Bill 1510 (HB 1510)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1510 (HB 1510) aims to repeal the authority of municipalities in Arkansas to exercise territorial jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of a county. This legislative change is intended to clarify the boundaries of municipal planning and zoning authority, ensuring that unincorporated areas are governed solely by county regulations.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant changes to existing law:

  1. Repeal of Municipal Authority:

    • The bill repeals Arkansas Code § 14-17-208(i), which previously allowed municipalities to exercise subdivision jurisdiction over unincorporated areas adjacent to their corporate limits. This means municipalities can no longer control land subdivision in these areas.

  2. Amendments to County Planning:

    • It amends Arkansas Code § 14-17-208(l)(1) to require that any plat in an unincorporated area not under municipal jurisdiction must receive approval from the county planning board before recording.

  3. Repeal of Annexation Procedures:

    • Sections related to municipal annexation procedures (Arkansas Code § 14-40-208) and territorial jurisdiction (Arkansas Code § 14-56-413) are repealed. This eliminates the process by which municipalities could claim jurisdiction over unincorporated areas and the requirement to initiate annexation proceedings within five years.

  4. Impact on Fire Protection Districts:

    • The bill amends Arkansas Code § 14-284-207(a) to clarify that fire protection districts cannot include areas within the territorial jurisdiction of a municipality unless waived by the municipality.

  5. Local Regulatory Authority:

    • It also repeals provisions regarding local regulatory authority over electrical work in areas where municipalities have previously exercised territorial jurisdiction.

Affected Parties

  • Municipalities: Cities will lose the ability to govern land use and planning in unincorporated areas, which may affect their development strategies and planning processes.
  • Counties: County planning boards will gain more authority over unincorporated areas, allowing for potentially more consistent land use regulations across these regions.
  • Residents and Developers: Individuals and businesses in unincorporated areas will now interact primarily with county regulations, which may change the process for land development and use.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: February 17, 2025
  • Passed: The bill was passed by the House and Senate on March 12, 2025, and was subsequently transmitted to the Governor's Office.
  • Enacted: Notification that HB 1510 is now Act 314 was issued on March 18, 2025.

Conclusion

HB 1510 represents a significant shift in the governance of unincorporated areas in Arkansas, transferring authority from municipalities to county planning boards. This change aims to streamline land use regulations and clarify jurisdictional boundaries, impacting how development is managed in these areas.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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