Opinion ID: 2103541
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Effect of Zoning Ordinance

Text: Brock next argues that, under article 12, section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution, a land-use ordinance enacted by a city council cannot supersede an Arkansas statute on the same subject. This proposition is correct: No municipal corporation shall be authorized to pass any laws contrary to the general laws of the state. Ark. Const. art. 12, § 4. However, as Townsell points out, the ordinance at issue here was not contrary to the general laws of the state; instead, it was enacted pursuant to state law, specifically Arkansas Code Annotated section 14-56-416. We have previously held that a city ordinance will not be held to conflict with a state statute when it is possible to read them in a harmonious manner. City of Barling v. Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Auth., 347 Ark. 105, 116, 60 S.W.3d 443, 449 (2001) (citing Bolden v. Watt, 290 Ark. 343, 719 S.W.2d 428 (1986)). We conclude that Ordinance 0-94-54 may be read harmoniously with section 20-17-903. In short, municipalities that have passed a relevant zoning ordinance in accordance with section 14-56-416 may regulate the construction and expansion of cemeteries pursuant to the ordinance. Municipalities that have not done so have only the benefit of sections 20-17-903, 14-54-802, and 14-54-803.