# Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-203: Applicability - Purpose and effect of referendum election > Arkansas · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-203 ## Section - **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-203 - **Heading:** Applicability - Purpose and effect of referendum election - **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** AR Code / Title 3 / Chapter 9 / Subchapter 2 / Section 3-9-203 ## Text (a) The provisions of this subchapter authorizing on-premises consumption shall be effective only in cities and counties, or portions thereof, in which the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquor is not prohibited as a result of a local option election held pursuant to Initiated Act No. 1 of 1942, §§ 3-8-201 - 3-8-203 and 3-8-205 - 3-8-209 , and in which the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been approved by a majority vote at a referendum election as herein provided. (b) A favorable vote at a referendum election shall authorize on-premises consumption in licensed premises, as provided in this subchapter, in only those areas of the city or county which are not dry areas. (c) (1) A referendum election held in a city shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in the portions of the city in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (2) A referendum election held in a county shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in all areas of the county, including cities of the first class and second class and incorporated towns therein, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (d) (1) A property owner's association with a population of five thousand (5,000) or more or a county, city, or town may authorize by ordinance the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption under this subchapter if the property owner's association or the county, city, or town is located in or is a county that authorized the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. (2) The authority of a county quorum court under subdivision (d)(1) of this section applies only to unincorporated areas of the county. Amended by Act 2017, No. 875,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2015, No. 383,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2013, No. 1008,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013. Acts 1969, No. 132, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, § 48-1403. (a) The provisions of this subchapter authorizing on-premises consumption shall be effective only in cities and counties, or portions thereof, in which the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquor is not prohibited as a result of a local option election held pursuant to Initiated Act No. 1 of 1942, §§ 3-8-201 - 3-8-203 and 3-8-205 - 3-8-209 , and in which the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has been approved by a majority vote at a referendum election as herein provided. (b) A favorable vote at a referendum election shall authorize on-premises consumption in licensed premises, as provided in this subchapter, in only those areas of the city or county which are not dry areas. (c) (1) A referendum election held in a city shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in the portions of the city in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (2) A referendum election held in a county shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in all areas of the county, including cities of the first class and second class and incorporated towns therein, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (1) A referendum election held in a city shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in the portions of the city in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. and second class and incorporated towns therein, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (1) A referendum election held in a city shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in the portions of the city in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (2) A referendum election held in a county shall be for the purpose of determining whether the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption shall be authorized in all areas of the county, including cities of the first class and second class and incorporated towns therein, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is not otherwise prohibited by law. (d) (1) A property owner's association with a population of five thousand (5,000) or more or a county, city, or town may authorize by ordinance the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption under this subchapter if the property owner's association or the county, city, or town is located in or is a county that authorized the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. (2) The authority of a county quorum court under subdivision (d)(1) of this section applies only to unincorporated areas of the county. (1) A property owner's association with a population of five thousand (5,000) or more or a county, city, or town may authorize by ordinance the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption under this subchapter if the property owner's association or the county, city, or town is located in or is a county that authorized the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. (2) The authority of a county quorum court under subdivision (d)(1) of this section applies only to unincorporated areas of the county. Amended by Act 2017, No. 875,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2015, No. 383,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2013, No. 1008,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013. Acts 1969, No. 132, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, § 48-1403. ## Nearby sections - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-201 Legislative determinations and intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-201.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-202 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-202.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-203 Applicability - Purpose and effect of referendum election](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-203.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-204 Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-204.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-205 Rules - Police power of state and local governments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-205.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-206 Referendum elections - Conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-206.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-207 Referendum elections - Effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-207.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-208 Subsequent local option elections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-208.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-209 Sales without permit prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-209.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-210 Permit to sell beverages - Issuance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-210.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-211 Permit to sell beverages - Scope - Effect on other laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-211.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-212 Permit to sell beverages - Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-212.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-213 Gross receipts and supplemental taxes on sale of alcoholic beverages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-213.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 3-9-214 Supplemental tax or fee on sales levied by political subdivisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-214.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T3_C9_S2_S3-9-203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.