Note on scope: No city-specific STR ordinance was provided for Marshall, Arkansas. The content below focuses on state-level rules that apply statewide and provides Conway and Searcy as Arkansas examples of city-level STR licensing and regulation frameworks for context. Investors should verify whether Marshall or Izard County have adopted STR-specific requirements after the date of this guide.

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Marshall, AR?

• Status of STRs in Marshall, AR: The sources provided do not contain a city-level ordinance restricting or prohibiting short-term rentals in Marshall. Arkansas law does not impose a statewide ban on STRs. Consequently, STRs are permitted in Marshall, AR under state rules unless a local zoning provision or ordinance expressly prohibits or limits them.
• Practical implication: There are no city-specific STR licensing, inspection, or occupancy rules in the provided sources. State-level building, life-safety, fire, and tax rules apply, and you must confirm if any county-level rules exist in Izard County (none were provided in the source set).
• Watch-outs: If Marshall later adopts a city ordinance, requirements may shift, including owner-occupancy rules, caps, mandatory licensing, inspections, A&P taxes, or different occupancy limits (similar to the frameworks shown in Conway and Searcy). Check with the City Clerk or Building/Inspection offices prior to listing.

Step-by-step: How to start a short-term rental in Marshall, AR

1. Verify local zoning and property eligibility

• Confirm the property is a legally permitted, single-family residential dwelling (as a best practice and to reduce compliance risk).
• If converting to a multi-unit transient use (e.g., turning a single-family into multiple separate STR units), confirm zoning allows that classification or whether it would be regulated like a bed-and-breakfast, hotel, or motel instead.

2. Contact the City Clerk/Building and Fire for any city-level requirements

• Although the sources do not show Marshall-specific STR rules, call the City Clerk and Building/Fire offices before listing:
  • City Hall: 870-448-3535 (verify current)
  • Ask about: business license, fire inspections, occupancy limits, parking, and whether Marshall or Izard County has an A&P or tourism tax.
• If nothing is required at the city level, proceed with state-level compliance.

3. Comply with state-level building, life-safety, and fire code expectations

• Treat STRs as transient accommodations and meet the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, International Building Code, and National Swimming Pool Code standards (if applicable).
• Annual or periodic inspections may be required; use local building and fire contacts to confirm.

4. Tax registration and compliance

• Register for Arkansas sales and use tax as a lodging provider to collect and remit the state sales and use tax on accommodations (state rate is 6.5%; local add-ons may apply; see State-Level Regulations).
• If a local A&P or tourism tax exists (e.g., where you operate or where your guests stay), register, collect, and remit it per local authority guidance.
• Maintain monthly filing records for at least three years; file and pay even if no tax is due in a given month.

5. Obtain insurance

• Carry a commercial liability policy with at least $1,000,000 in coverage, specific to STR operations. This mirrors the insurance standard in Conway and is a prudent baseline for investors.

6. Designate a local property representative (recommended best practice)

• Identify an on-call, local representative who can respond within one hour to complaints and take corrective action (Conway and Searcy require this).
• Maintain a 24/7 contact list for both the owner and the representative.

7. Create a guest information packet and site standards

• Display in a prominent location inside the STR:
  • Property address and maximum occupancy
  • Off-street parking quantity and location
  • Noise and use restrictions; trash rules and collection schedule
  • Evacuation routes
  • Renter responsibilities and potential fines for violations
  • Contact information for the local property representative
  • Owner contact info and license expiration (if a license applies)

8. Launch and list

• List only after you have confirmed zoning and life-safety compliance, obtained proper insurance, set up tax accounts, and prepared the guest information packet.
• Include your license number, A&P permit, and any local registration identifiers on your listing if required.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

City-level (Marshall): Not specified in the provided sources

• No Marshall-specific STR business license, A&P permit, or inspection schedule was provided.
• Contact the City Clerk and Building/Inspection offices to determine whether any local authorization or inspection is required.

State-level (Arkansas): Applicable statewide

• Sales and Use Tax Account: Register with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). Collect/remit state sales and use tax on lodging.
• Insurance: Commercial liability policy of at least $1,000,000 for STR operations.
• Life-Safety/Fire Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and applicable building codes; maintain proof of inspection if inspections are performed by local authorities.
• Guest Information Packet: Maintain and post the information packet in a prominent location (see Section 7 above).

Examples of local Arkansas frameworks (context for investors)

• Conway, AR (strict city-level STR licensing and A&P tax):

  • Annual STR License (Conway Zoning Code/Section 601.29(H))
  • STRs may only occur in a legally permitted and zoned single-family dwelling.
  • A separate license is required for each STR unit and is non-transferable.
  • License Fee: $100 per unit annually.
  • A&P Permit (Advertising & Promotion): Required to collect a 2% A&P tax on gross receipts; no charge for the permit.
  • Inspections: Fire Marshal and Building Official inspections at initial application for compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
  • Insurance: Commercial liability policy of at least $1,000,000.
  • Local Property Representative: Required; must respond within one hour to complaints.
  • Parking: One off-street space per bedroom rented (on-street may count up to two spaces toward the requirement).
  • Information Packet: Required to be posted in a prominent place within the STR.
  • Renewal: By January 31 each year; late fees accrue March 1 (10%), April 1 (30%), and license revoked May 1 if not renewed.
  • References and forms are provided in the Conway packet (see Source Documents).

• Searcy, AR (general business license plus fire/building inspections):

  • Business License: Required for all short-term rentals within city limits.
  • Zoning: STRs are allowed in all zoning districts except Industrial, subject to zoning compliance and off-street parking requirements.
  • Inspection: Required annually by the Fire Marshal and Building Inspection Official (Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, International Building Code, National Swimming Pool Code).
  • Local Property Representative: Required; 24/7 availability with one-hour response to complaints.
  • A&P Tax Permit: Proof required prior to issuance of the business license.
  • Occupancy Limit: Two per bedroom plus two.
  • Information Packet: Must be displayed in a common area; includes occupancy, parking, noise, trash schedule, evacuation routes, and compliance notices.
  • Revocation/Suspension: Grounds include false statements, unreported changes, sanitation or fire code violations, failure to pay taxes, or repeated non-response to complaints.
  • Appeal: License revocation may be appealed to the Searcy City Council within 30 days.

Specific regulations: city (Marshall), county, and state

City-level (Marshall): Not specified

• The provided sources do not contain a Marshall STR ordinance. Verify with the City Clerk/Building department whether Marshall or Izard County has adopted any STR-specific provisions.

County-level (Izard County): Not specified

• The source set does not include Izard County regulations. Confirm whether the county requires registration, inspections, or tourism taxes.

State-level (Arkansas): Key compliance themes

• Licensing and tax requirements for transient lodging providers are handled at the state level via the DFA for sales and use tax. City A&P or tourism taxes may also apply depending on jurisdiction (e.g., Conway’s A&P tax).
• Life-safety/building: Compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and applicable building codes is expected for STR operations; routine inspections may be required by local authorities.
• Information and guest standards: Best practice is to maintain and post a guest information packet with occupancy, parking, noise, trash, evacuation routes, and compliance notices.

Conway example (contextual, illustrative of a strict Arkansas STR framework)

• Zoning Limitation: STRs only in single-family dwellings; non-single-family STRs must meet hotel/bed-and-breakfast standards.
• Annual License: Required per unit; non-transferable.
• Fees: $100 annual license fee per unit; $0 A&P permit fee.
• A&P Tax: 2% on gross receipts; monthly reporting with early-payment discount; penalties for late filing.
• Inspections: Fire Marshal and Building Official inspections required at initial application.
• Insurance: At least $1,000,000 commercial liability coverage.
• Representative: Local property representative required; 24/7 availability; one-hour response.
• Parking: One off-street space per bedroom; on-street can supplement up to two spaces.
• Late Renewal Fees: 10% by March 1, 30% by April 1; revocation by May 1.
• Forms and contacts are included in the Conway packet (see Source Documents).

Searcy example (contextual, shows a less prescriptive but still structured Arkansas STR framework)

• Zoning: Permitted in all districts except Industrial.
• Business License: Required for STRs.
• Annual Inspections: Fire Marshal and Building Official.
• Local Representative: Required; 24/7 availability; one-hour response.
• A&P Permit: Required prior to license issuance.
• Occupancy Limit: Two per bedroom plus two.
• Revocation/Suspension: Defined grounds and appeal process.

Contact information (phone, email, website where available)

City of Marshall (verify current contacts with City Hall)

• City Hall: 870-448-3535
• Address: City Hall, Marshall, AR (confirm exact address with the City Clerk)
• Website: Confirm with the City Clerk if Marshall has a site dedicated to business licensing/inspection.

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) – Sales and Use Tax

• Website: www.dfa.arkansas.gov/
• Overview: Register for sales/use tax as a lodging provider; file and remit accommodations taxes; obtain tax permits and account access.

Conway (reference city contact details)

• City Clerk/Treasurer
  • Address: 1111 Main Street, Conway, AR 72032
  • Phone: (501) 513-3501
  • Email: denise.hurd@conwayarkansas.gov
• Building Inspector
  • Email: permits@conwayarkansas.gov
  • Phone: (501) 450-6148 (Fire Marshal – use for building/fire inspection coordination)
• A&P Commission
  • Address: PO Box 1404, Conway, AR 72033-1404
  • Phone: (501) 327-2834 (Lisa Stephens CPA, PLC – A&P tax questions)
  • Email: denise.hurd@conwayarkansas.gov
  • Online payments: conway.com > Forms and Resources > Pay A&P Taxes Online

Searcy (reference city contact details)

• Code Enforcement Office
  • Phone: (501) 279-1010 (general city; confirm Code Enforcement direct line if needed)
  • Address: City of Searcy, Searcy, AR (confirm exact address with City Clerk)

Links to source pages (IMPORTANT)

• media.conwayarkansas.gov/media/documents/Short_Term_Rental_Initial_License_Info__Apps_2025.pdf
  • Contains: Conway STR ordinance details, license application checklist, designated representative form, A&P permit application and monthly report, renewal timeline, late fees, penalties, inspection contacts, and payment instructions.
• cityofsearcy.squarespace.com/s/Art-5-11-Short-Term-Rentals.pdf
  • Contains: Searcy STR article (purpose, standards, licensing, inspections, A&P permit requirement, occupancy limits, local representative, display requirements, revocation grounds and appeal process).
• community.lawschool.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/White-Thor-final.pdf
  • Contains: Scholarly analysis of STR regulations and enforcement, including the “regulatory enforcement oversight” problem and the prevalence of illegal STRs, with national context and case studies.

Practical closing advice for Marshall, AR STR investors

• Start with a zoning call to City Hall and a fire/building code check. If there is no Marshall-specific ordinance, follow state-level compliance and adopt the insurance, representative, and guest-information standards shown in Conway/Searcy to reduce risk.
• Register for and file Arkansas sales/use tax on lodging. If your listing targets guests who pay locally where A&P or tourism taxes apply (e.g., Conway), register and remit those taxes too.
• Build a compliance binder: insurance certificate, tax account information, local contact details, inspection records, guest information packet template, and monthly filing calendar. This discipline will pay off if Marshall later adopts a formal STR ordinance.