City Charter Severability in Springdale, Arkansas

General Governance and Administration Arkansas 3 Minutes Read · published March 09, 2026 Flag of Arkansas · By Emily Carter

In Springdale, Arkansas, the city charter and municipal code include severability principles that preserve valid provisions when parts of a law are later found invalid. This guide explains how severability operates in local legislation, how enforcement and challenges proceed, and where to find the controlling charter and code. For official text, consult the City Charter and the consolidated Code of Ordinances linked below.City Charter[1] Springdale Code of Ordinances[2]

How severability works in the city charter and ordinances

Severability clauses state that if any provision of the charter or an ordinance is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain effective to the fullest extent possible. In practice this prevents an entire chapter from being voided when a single clause is struck down. The exact wording and scope are set in the City Charter and in enabling provisions of the Code of Ordinances.[1][2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of municipal ordinances that may implicate severability is carried out by designated city departments and, for violations, through the municipal court process. Specific monetary penalties for ordinance violations vary by code section; where the municipal code does not list an exact fine for a specific severability issue, the amount is not specified on the cited page.[2]

  • Enforcer: Code Enforcement, Springdale Police, and the City Attorney handle investigations and prosecutions.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page for generic severability challenges; see specific ordinance sections for dollar amounts.[2]
  • Escalation: the municipal code typically differentiates first, repeat, and continuing offences in individual sections; ranges are not specified generically on the cited page.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: cease-and-desist orders, abatement, permit suspension, injunctive relief, and referral to municipal court or civil court.
  • Complaints and inspections: file complaints with Code Enforcement or the City Clerk; see official contact and submission information.City Clerk[3]
Severability preserves enforceable sections so the whole ordinance need not fall if one part is invalidated.

Applications & Forms

There is no separate "severability" application. Petitions to amend the charter or request ordinance review are handled as legislative actions or legal challenges; administrative forms for code enforcement complaints are available from the City Clerk or relevant department. If a specific form number is required it is not specified on the cited pages.[3]

Action steps: raising a concern or seeking relief

  • Document the ordinance text and the clause of concern and note the exact section citation from the Code of Ordinances.[2]
  • Submit a written complaint to Code Enforcement or the City Clerk with supporting evidence and contact information.City Clerk[3]
  • If the issue is a violation, follow municipal court procedures; for a legal challenge to validity, consult counsel about judicial review options in circuit court.
Administrative complaints and legal challenges follow different procedures and may proceed concurrently.

FAQ

What is a severability clause?
A severability clause declares that if part of a law is invalid, the remainder remains in effect unless the valid parts are inseparable from the invalid provision.
Where do I find Springdale's severability language?
Check the City Charter and the Code of Ordinances for general provisions; links to both official sources are provided above.[1][2]
How do I challenge an ordinance as unconstitutional or unlawful?
File an administrative complaint with the City (Code Enforcement or City Clerk) and consult an attorney about filing a judicial challenge; municipal court handles violations while courts handle validity claims.

How-To

  1. Collect the ordinance text and cite the exact section from the Code of Ordinances.
  2. Prepare a written complaint describing the issue, dates, and evidence.
  3. Submit the complaint to Code Enforcement or the City Clerk via the official submission channel listed on the city website.[3]
  4. If enforcement does not resolve the matter, consult counsel about filing a judicial challenge to the ordinance's validity.
  5. Track municipal hearings and filing deadlines; follow municipal court or circuit court procedures as applicable.

Key Takeaways

  • Severability keeps valid parts of laws enforceable even if one provision is invalid.
  • Enforcement and appeals use administrative channels and courts; specific fines and deadlines must be checked in the cited ordinance sections.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Springdale - City Charter
  2. [2] Springdale Code of Ordinances (Municode)
  3. [3] City of Springdale - City Clerk

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Emily Carter

Emily Carter

Municipal Policy Researcher

Emily researches municipal codes and local ordinances across the United States. She verifies every guide against official city and state sources before publication.