No, squatting in Arkansas is illegal under state trespass and property laws, with penalties including eviction and criminal charges. Arkansas Code § 18-1602 criminalizes unauthorized occupancy, while local sheriffs enforce evictions under Act 1078 of 2023. Courts prioritize property owner rights, though adverse possession claims require 7+ years of continuous, hostile, and open occupation per Ark. Code § 16-56-110.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Arkansas
- Criminal Trespass (Ark. Code § 18-1602): Unauthorized entry or remaining on property is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000.
- Adverse Possession (Ark. Code § 16-56-110): Requires 7+ years of exclusive, continuous, and hostile occupation with clear title defects; squatters rarely meet this burden.
- Eviction Procedures (Act 1078 of 2023): Streamlined judicial evictions for property owners, with sheriffs authorized to remove squatters within 10 days of court orders.
Local jurisdictions like Little Rock and Pulaski County enforce these laws aggressively, with district courts processing evictions under expedited timelines. Property owners must file formal eviction suits—self-help removals are prohibited and may trigger felony charges under Ark. Code § 5-39-201. Recent 2026 compliance shifts emphasize digital filing systems for eviction dockets, increasing transparency but also scrutiny on squatter claims.