New bill aims to regulate short term rental properties in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — City governments and state legislators have been continually debating over regulations regarding short-term rental properties in Arkansas.

Republican Rep. Brit McKenzie has been spearheading a new push with House Bill 1445, following a similar proposal’s failure in the previous session. 

McKenzie argues that the bill is crucial for protecting property rights and dismantling overly restrictive city and county regulations.

“I’m for small government. I’m for limited government but not in my backyard,” McKenzie described.

However, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick opposes the measure and says it will create more problems for residents and for the city.

“I think people are served best by the people that serve them,” Mayor Hartwick said. “We’re not against STRs, we have them. We’re just trying to say there should be so many in this neighborhood, and it’s not good for property values and that’s what it’s about. Just let us keep in control of the area that we’re responsible for.”

Meanwhile, McKenzie maintains that the bill will bring along equality.

“This version promotes compromise, it promotes parity so that property owners know when they walk into any city in the state of Arkansas their core fundamental rights are secured. At the same time this doesn’t promote any unredressed of a city to create an ordinance,” McKenzie described.

HB1445 aims to establish more state-level oversight rather than leaving it up to local government. However, while at the committee hearing last week there were several people who were against this bill. 

Back in 2023, Mayor Hartwick introduced a new ordinance that would ban short-term rentals in some residential areas.

Since then, Mayor  Hartwick said he’s gotten several complaints of loud parties and trash in the streets.

“We have no control. If you look at what they’re presenting, no control. They can do what they want to. And I know some of these senators and legislature are saying they have the property they should be able to do what they want to,” he added.

The bill will soon be making its way to the House.