Can you build your own house in Arkansas without a contractor's license?

You qualify for the Arkansas residential contractor licensing exemption when you act as contractor for your own residence¹. The Arkansas limit is 1 residence during a calendar year¹. You lose the exemption if you build more, even when the homes are your own¹. Before planning another build, ask the Residential Contractors Committee how the annual limit applies to your schedule.

You also qualify for an Arkansas exemption when you act as home-improvement contractor on your own single-family property¹. This exemption covers a different situation from building your own residence¹. Tell the Arkansas Committee whether you plan new construction or work on an existing home when you call.

Call the Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee, which handles licensing for builders of new homes³. You can reach the Committee through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board at 501-372-4661³. Ask whether your ownership, intended use and construction schedule fit the own-residence exemption. Explain who will manage the job and which work you plan to hire out.

The Arkansas exemption covers residential contractor licensing; it does not cover every approval you need to build a house¹. Ask the Committee about licensing for people you hire. Ask separately about any trade work you want to do yourself. Your own Arkansas exemption does not answer those questions. Get guidance before you sign construction contracts or commit to a building schedule.

You still need to meet applicable Arkansas building permit, inspection, zoning and building-code requirements under the owner-builder exemption¹. Arkansas building-code requirements apply statewide, including areas where you need no building permits or inspections². The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code includes residential construction requirements administered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and applicable local authorities⁴.

Ask the building or code authority for your parcel which plans, building permits and inspections your house needs. Ask about approval before occupancy at the same time. Settle that question before you finish the house. We could not confirm a universal private-home certificate-of-occupancy procedure in Arkansas. Ask your local code authority what final approval you need before you move in.

Confirm that you qualify for the Arkansas own-residence exemption, then settle the approvals for your site¹. Tell the Residential Contractors Committee whether you have another residence under construction during the same calendar year. Ask how to document that you qualify for the exemption. We could not confirm a statewide Arkansas owner-builder application or exemption fee. Ask the Committee whether you need to file paperwork or pay a fee for your situation.

Local building permits and inspections are separate from Arkansas residential contractor licensing¹. Ask your local code office for its building-permit fees, required plans, inspection stages and final approval instructions. Ask which office handles zoning and site approvals for your address. Keep those answers with your plans before you arrange work that depends on them.