Pet Rent Laws in Arkansas: What Landlords Can Charge and What You Can Negotiate

Pet rent laws in Arkansas are looser than most renters expect: the state does not set a dollar limit on monthly pet rent, so the number on your lease is largely whatever your landlord and you agree to. That freedom cuts both ways. A landlord can charge more than you budgeted, but you also have room to negotiate.

The real limits come from two places: the state’s two-month security deposit cap and federal fair housing rules for assistance animals. This article covers each charge you might see, what is typical, what is off limits, and how to protect your wallet before you sign.

Important Note: Sources disagree on one point. Several summaries say Arkansas has no cap on pet deposits, while others say pet deposits count toward the two-month security deposit cap under Ark. Code § 18-16-304. Treat the two-month cap as the safer reading, and confirm the details with a local attorney or legal aid office if a charge looks high. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Is Pet Rent Legal in Arkansas?

Yes. Pet Deposits by State lists monthly pet rent as allowed in Arkansas, and non-refundable pet fees are permitted too. Arkansas does not have extensive laws specifically regulating pet rent or deposits, according to our guide on landlords banning pets.

In practice, your landlord decides whether to allow pets, how to structure the charges, and how to enforce the lease. That also means a landlord can say no to pets entirely, with one major exception covered in the assistance animal section below.

Pet Rent vs. Pet Fee vs. Pet Deposit in Arkansas

These three charges look similar on a lease but work very differently for your budget. Mixing them up is the fastest way to overpay or lose money you thought you would get back.

Charge	How It Works	Refundable?	Typical Range
Pet deposit	One-time payment held as security	Yes, minus documented damage	$200 to $500
Pet fee	One-time payment, usually at move-in	No	$150 to $300
Pet rent	Recurring monthly charge added to rent	No	$25 to $50 per pet per month

Those ranges come from Hemlane’s Arkansas guide, which also notes that a non-refundable fee should be clearly labeled that way in the lease. A pet deposit counts toward the security deposit cap, while pet rent and pet fees do not.

Pro Tip: Add up the full first-year cost, not just the monthly number. A $300 deposit, a $200 fee, and $35 monthly rent comes to $920 in year one for a single pet.

Does Arkansas Cap Pet Rent?

No. Arkansas sets no cap on pet rent for an ordinary pet, according to Tenant Screening Background Check’s Arkansas guide (2026). A landlord could technically charge $20 or $120 a month without breaking state law.

The cap that does exist applies to deposits. Arkansas limits total security deposits to two months’ rent for most landlords, and that total includes any pet deposit. Landlord Studio cites A.C.A. § 18-16-304 for this rule.

Here is how the math works. With $1,000 monthly rent, the maximum combined deposits are $2,000. If you already paid a $1,500 security deposit, only $500 more can go toward a pet deposit.

One exception matters if you rent from a small landlord. According to our guide to pets in Arkansas apartments, a landlord who owns five or fewer rental units and does not use a property management company is exempt from the cap.

How Much Is Pet Rent in Arkansas?

Most Arkansas renters should budget about $25 to $50 per pet per month, based on Hemlane’s figures from 2026. Another source, Pet Deposits by State, puts the typical range at $25 to $75 per pet. Large apartment complexes tend to sit at the higher end, while individual landlords often charge less or nothing.

Over a 12-month lease, that range adds up to $300 to $600 for one pet at $25 to $50, or up to $900 at $75. Compare that against the total move-in cost, since a complex with low rent but high pet fees can cost more than one with a slightly higher monthly rate.

• Ask for every pet charge in writing before you apply.
• Check whether the application fee is per person or per pet.
• Compare year-one totals across properties, not just monthly rent.

Is Pet Rent Charged Per Pet in Arkansas?

Usually, yes. The typical range quoted in Arkansas sources is stated per pet per month, so a second animal generally adds a second charge. Arkansas has no statute forcing a landlord to charge per pet, though, so some leases use a flat rate for one or two animals.

Read the pet addendum closely. Landlords often cap the number of animals, such as two dogs or cats with a combined weight limit, and price each one separately within that limit.

Which Pets Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent for in Arkansas?

A landlord can charge pet rent for ordinary pets, and the landlord decides which species and sizes to accept. Cats and dogs are the usual targets, but Hemlane’s guide lists birds and reptiles among the animals a landlord may choose to accept or exclude.

Landlords can also set breed and weight limits for regular pets. Pet Deposits by State notes that weight limits commonly fall between 25 and 75 pounds, and restricted breeds often include pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. If you own one of these breeds, see our guides to Rottweiler laws and Doberman laws in Arkansas.

Those limits do not apply to service animals or properly documented emotional support animals, which are covered below.

Can a Landlord Add Pet Rent Mid-Lease in Arkansas?

Generally, no, not unilaterally. A lease is a contract, and a landlord cannot add a new recurring charge in the middle of a fixed term unless the lease allows it or you agree to the change. Arkansas sources in my research did not identify a statute that specifically addresses mid-lease pet rent, so your lease language controls.

The picture changes if you are on a month-to-month agreement or your lease is up for renewal. At that point a landlord can propose new terms, including pet rent, and you can accept, negotiate, or move.

If you adopt a pet mid-lease, expect your landlord to ask for a pet addendum with fees. Ask before you bring the animal home, not after.

Pet Rent in Rent-Controlled and Local Rules in Arkansas

Rent control is not a factor here. Landlord Studio states that Arkansas has no rent control law, so there is no regulated rent that would limit what a landlord adds as pet rent.

Local rules still matter in other ways. City animal ordinances can limit the number or type of animals you keep, regardless of your lease, and public housing authorities often set their own pet policies. For example, our apartment pet guide notes that the Arkansas County Housing Authority lists many large breeds as ineligible.

HOA and condo rules add another layer. Check your city’s animal code and your association’s rules alongside the lease, and read our kennel zoning laws page if you keep several dogs.

Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent for ESAs and Service Animals in Arkansas?

No. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot charge pet rent, pet deposits, or additional fees for an emotional support animal, and the same applies to service animals. These animals are considered assistance animals rather than pets.

The Arkansas Fair Housing Commission has said the same thing in practice. As reported in a NewsBreak report, a commission representative confirmed that landlords and associations cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or any extra fees for an assistance animal.

Pro Tip: Waived fees do not waive responsibility. You are still liable for actual damage your ESA causes, and a landlord can deduct repair costs from your standard security deposit or bill you directly.

For service animals, a landlord may ask only two questions: whether the animal is required because of a disability, and what task it was trained to perform. For ESAs, a landlord may request documentation from a licensed healthcare provider. Online ESA registrations are not enough under HUD’s 2020 guidance, according to Pet Deposits by State. Our ESA housing laws in Arkansas guide covers the documentation rules in more detail.

Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent for Visiting or Pet-Sitting Pets in Arkansas?

Arkansas law does not address pet rent for visiting animals, so the lease decides. Many leases include a guest or pet-sitting clause that requires written permission for any animal staying more than a few days, and some apply a temporary fee.

Before you agree to watch a friend’s dog, read your pet clause. A no-pet lease usually covers any animal living in the unit, even temporarily, and a violation can trigger lease consequences. Ask your landlord for written approval and a clear end date.

What If You Have an Unauthorized Pet in Arkansas?

An unauthorized pet is a lease violation. A clear, consistently applied pet clause is enforceable, and per Tenant Screening Background Check, a tenant who keeps a pet in violation of it can be required to remove the animal or face lease consequences.

If you already have an animal your landlord does not know about, take these steps:

1. Read your lease for the pet clause and any stated penalty.
2. Contact your landlord in writing and ask to add the pet by addendum.
3. Offer to pay the standard pet deposit, fee, or rent going forward.
4. If the animal is an ESA or service animal, submit your reasonable accommodation request with documentation.

Coming forward early is almost always cheaper than being discovered. Back-charged pet rent, a violation notice, or an eviction filing costs far more than a $35 monthly charge.

Is Pet Rent Refundable in Arkansas?

No. Pet rent is a recurring charge added to your base rent, and it is never refundable, as Hemlane’s guide explains. Non-refundable pet fees work the same way, provided the lease labels them clearly.

A pet deposit is the refundable one. It must be returned if the animal causes no damage, and the landlord can deduct documented repair costs. Note that Landlord Studio says non-refundable security deposits are forbidden under Arkansas tenant deposit laws, which is why a non-refundable charge should be a labeled fee instead of a deposit.

When you move out, take dated photos of carpets, baseboards, and doors. That record protects your pet deposit from inflated deductions.

Can You Negotiate Pet Rent in Arkansas?

Yes, and with no state cap, the leverage is real, especially with smaller landlords. Arkansas has no pricing rules to hide behind, so a landlord who wants a good tenant may trim the number.

• Offer a pet resume: include vaccination records, spay or neuter proof, and a reference from a former landlord. See our guide to pet vaccination laws in Arkansas for what is required.
• Trade one charge for another: ask for a higher refundable deposit in exchange for lower monthly rent, within the two-month cap.
• Ask for a flat rate: request one monthly charge for two pets instead of two separate ones.
• Offer renters insurance: carrying a policy with pet liability coverage lowers the landlord’s risk.
• Negotiate at renewal: a tenant with a clean record has the strongest case.

Large property management companies usually follow a fixed fee schedule, so negotiating works best with independent owners.

Is Pet Rent Taxable Income for Landlords in Arkansas?

Yes, in general. Pet rent is money a landlord receives in connection with a rental property, so it is typically reported as rental income on federal and state returns. Pet fees that are not refundable are treated the same way. Refundable pet deposits are usually not income until the landlord keeps them.

My research did not turn up an Arkansas-specific ruling on pet rent, so landlords should confirm treatment with a tax professional or the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. As a tenant, you cannot deduct pet rent on a personal return.

What a Arkansas Lease Must Say About Pet Rent

Arkansas does not mandate specific pet rent language, which makes your written lease the whole agreement. Hemlane recommends three things: say exactly what is allowed, list every charge separately, and spell out tenant responsibilities.

Use this checklist before you sign:

• The exact animals, number, breed, and weight limits allowed.
• The amount and due date of pet rent, plus whether it can change at renewal.
• Pet deposit amount, refund conditions, and the deadline for returning it.
• Any pet fee clearly labeled as non-refundable.
• Cleanup duties, noise rules, and the process for adding or removing a pet.
• A statement on how assistance animals are handled.

Vague wording such as “pets allowed” causes disputes. Specifics such as “up to two dogs or cats with a combined weight under 50 pounds” protect both sides. If you keep dogs, our dog leash laws and leash laws in Arkansas pages explain the rules that apply outside your door.

Pet Rent Laws in Arkansas: FAQ

Is there a maximum pet rent in Arkansas?

No. The state does not cap monthly pet rent for ordinary pets, though pet deposits count toward the two-month security deposit limit for most landlords.

Can my landlord charge pet rent if I have an ESA?

No. The Fair Housing Act treats ESAs as assistance animals, so landlords cannot charge pet rent, deposits, or fees. You remain responsible for any actual damage.

How much should I expect to pay per month?

Most sources put typical Arkansas pet rent between $25 and $75 per pet, with $25 to $50 the most common range cited by Hemlane in 2026.

Can a landlord keep my pet deposit?

Only to cover documented damage beyond normal wear. Otherwise the pet deposit must be returned, and photos from move-in and move-out help you contest unfair deductions.

Do I have to pay pet rent for a service dog?

No. Service animals are not pets under federal law, and landlords cannot charge a pet deposit, fee, or rent for them.

Where can I file a complaint about illegal pet fees?

For assistance animal charges, you can contact HUD or the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Pet Deposits by State lists the HUD complaint line as 1-800-669-9777.

Pet rent in Arkansas comes down to what your lease says. Get every charge in writing, check the two-month deposit cap, and negotiate before signing, because that is when you have the most leverage.