Systems and methods for small cell idle mode mobility include receiving, at a first small cell of a preconfigured cluster of small cells, a mobility area update request from a user equipment (UE). The method can also include registering location information of the UE with a small cell gateway, and retrieving a core network periodic timer for the UE from a mobility server. If certain conditions are met, the first small cell forwards the mobility area update request to a core network via the small cell gateway. Otherwise, the method can include the first small cell updating the location information of the UE with the mobility server, generating a locally-generated mobility area update accept message, and sending a locally generated mobility area update accept message to the UE along with a local periodic timer instructing the UE to send another mobility area update request when the local periodic timer expires.