Pulaski County Implements Moratorium on New Construction

Pulaski County, August 14, 2025

News Summary

Pulaski County has enacted a six-month moratorium on new construction in specified areas outside Little Rock and North Little Rock. This decision, taken by the Pulaski County Quorum Court, is a response to recent legislative changes that have altered the regulatory landscape for construction in Arkansas. The aim is to ensure that future projects align with local regulations while providing time for the development of new guidelines that balance interests of developers, residents, and land use.

Pulaski County Enacts Six-Month Moratorium on New Construction Near Little Rock and North Little Rock

The county’s Quorum Court approved a six-month moratorium on new construction in boundary areas outside the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, a move designed to manage growth as state law changes take effect. The measure was enacted on a Tuesday and aims to give the county time to establish its own land-use rules in the wake of recent changes to municipal authority.

The action follows Act 314, which stripped municipalities of their power to regulate construction in their extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs). Previously, Arkansas cities could regulate development within a buffer zone of roughly one to three miles beyond their borders. With the new law, cities can no longer regulate development just outside their limits, shifting more oversight to the county level.

Context and legal shift

Under Act 314, cities lose direct control over construction outside their municipal borders, prompting the need for county-led planning to address growth, infrastructure, and compatibility with nearby communities. The moratorium is framed as a temporary pause to prevent conflicting development while county provisions are drafted and refined.

Responses from local officials

North Little Rock officials expressed concerns about losing jurisdiction and the potential for developments that may not align with the character and needs of nearby communities. State Rep. Justin Gonzales, the bill’s sponsor, described the aim as protecting property rights for landowners adjacent to cities and stressed that county residents should not be subject to regulations from city officials they cannot vote for.

Observers noted early developments that highlighted the shift in oversight, including the appearance of billboards in areas previously governed by ETJ regulations on the effective date of the law. County Judge Barry Hyde highlighted the risks to residents and investments now that zoning regulations have diminished in the affected zones. The moratorium is described as a temporary measure to keep projects from conflicting with municipal regulations until new county regulations can be put in place.

County leaders emphasized the need for planning and for broad input from residents and planning boards during the moratorium period. The goal is to establish a clear, county-wide approach to land use that can accommodate growth while respecting the boundaries of incorporated areas and protecting property rights.

What to expect next

Officials indicate that the moratorium is intended to buy time for the county to craft regulations that address the overlap between city borders and unincorporated areas. The period will be used to solicit input from local communities and planning boards, with a focus on orderly development, infrastructure needs, and clarity for landowners near city lines.