Arkansas County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Arkansas County, Arkansas appears not to require a county residential building permit, but the statewide Arkansas Fire Prevention Code still governs construction¹². We could not confirm a current countywide zoning ordinance³. Septic systems require state review and approval through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent⁴⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Appears not to be required by the county in unincorporated areas; confirm before building¹
Zoning: No confirmed countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land³
Building code: The statewide Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies even where no local permit program is confirmed²
Septic permit: State approval is required through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent⁴⁵
Owner-builder exemption: Available for contractor licensing when building your own residence, but not an exemption from codes or permits⁶
RV / mobile home / tiny home parks: State rules regulate fee-based parks with 3 or more spaces; a single unit on private land remains unconfirmed⁷⁸
Driveway on a state highway: Requires an Arkansas DOT permit; no confirmed county driveway rule was found⁹

Who to call

Also useful

Arkansas County Government (DeWitt)

General Arkansas County government contact; the starting point for a rural building, road or land-use question not covered by a city or the state, since no separate county building, planning or road department could be found online

870-659-2099

101 Court Square, De Witt, AR 72042

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) and well program; approves systems directly or through a locally assigned Designated Representative, and can direct callers to the local health unit covering Arkansas County

1-800-462-0599

4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

Unincorporated Arkansas County appears not to require a county residential building permit; the county has no listed building or inspection department, while DeWitt and Stuttgart handle residential permits inside their jurisdictions¹. That is not the same as having no building code. The current statewide standard is the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its building and residential volumes, and it applies throughout Arkansas². State energy-code rules also require a county or city that issues permits for new construction to apply the Arkansas Energy Code and allow plan review, permits, and construction inspections as enforcement tools¹⁰. Before ordering plans or site work, ask Arkansas County whether the parcel is unincorporated and whether any county inspection or approval has since been established¹¹.

Who handles building, zoning and permitting in Arkansas County?

No separate Arkansas County building or inspection department is listed, so begin with Arkansas County Government at the DeWitt courthouse for an unincorporated parcel¹¹¹. Ask whether the proposed work needs a county approval, who performs any inspection, and whether a floodplain or road-access review applies; the available state floodplain rule covers state-department projects and does not establish a permit rule for private county development¹². The Arkansas Department of Health handles onsite wastewater directly or through an authorized agent⁵¹³. For land inside DeWitt, Stuttgart, or another municipality, contact that city because municipal permit and zoning requirements can differ from the apparent county practice¹.

Does Arkansas County have zoning?

We could not confirm a current countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated Arkansas County³. That does not prove a parcel is unrestricted: county minimum dwelling size, general lot size, setbacks, height, lot coverage, and subdivision rules remain unconfirmed, so ask Arkansas County about the specific parcel¹¹. Inside an Arkansas municipality, state law generally requires at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a parcel with a larger single-family home, while still allowing applicable codes, zoning conditions, and design standards¹⁴. That municipal rule does not create an accessory-dwelling right in unincorporated Arkansas County¹⁴. The septic rule's half-acre minimum applies only to subdivision lots using drip dispersal design; it is not a general county lot-size rule¹⁵.

How do septic and well permits work in Arkansas County?

The Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent approves onsite wastewater systems in Arkansas County⁴⁵. State review fees for an individual system run from $30 to $150 based on the home's square footage, and an alteration, repair, or extension carries a $30 review fee; the fee must be paid before the first permit stage is issued¹⁶. The installed system must pass inspection before an operating permit is issued or the system is used¹⁷. Only 1.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early contingency¹⁸. Off-grid does not mean sanitation-free: sewage discharges require specific approval, and an off-property discharge also requires disinfection, compliance with discharge standards, and an environmental permit¹⁹. Public-sewer connection is required when access is within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit²⁰.

Can you live in an RV, mobile home or tiny home on your land in Arkansas County?

Arkansas's park rules do not answer whether you may occupy one RV, manufactured home, or tiny house on wheels on private land in Arkansas County. We could not confirm a county rule for a single unit, so ask Arkansas County and any municipality with jurisdiction before relying on that use¹¹³. A fee-based parcel with at least 3 spaces for RVs, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes is treated as a regulated park and needs Department of Health approval before construction or alteration⁷⁸. An approved RV park is intended for transient stays, typically by the night or week, rather than proving a right to permanent private-land occupancy²¹. A tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home under the park rule if plumbed and inspected under the Arkansas Plumbing Code, and otherwise as an RV²².

Building a home in Arkansas County: what are the steps?

Confirm that the parcel is outside a municipality, then ask Arkansas County Government whether any building, floodplain, subdivision, or driveway approval applies¹¹.
Design to the statewide Arkansas Fire Prevention Code even if no county residential permit is required²³.
Ask the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent for a septic site evaluation and permit path before fixing the house location⁵¹³.
Budget the state septic review fee and do not use the system until it passes inspection and receives its operating permit¹⁶¹⁷.
If acting as your own contractor, remember that the owner-builder provision is a licensing exemption for your residence, not an exemption from codes, permits, or septic approval⁶.
Obtain an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit before building a driveway onto a state highway⁹.

What to check before you buy land in Arkansas County

Put septic feasibility first: only 1.6% of Arkansas County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field¹⁸. Ask whether public sewer is available, because connection is required when access is within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit²⁰. Confirm the parcel's city limits, county approval path, flood status, legal access, and county-road entrance requirements with Arkansas County before closing¹¹. A driveway connecting to a state highway requires an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit⁹. The county is very flat—99.8% of its land is at a slope of 15% or less—so drainage and flood exposure deserve parcel-level review even on an easy-looking building site²⁴. Arkansas County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $722²⁵²⁶.

Watch-outs

Arkansas County's own building-permit, inspection, and countywide zoning rules remain unconfirmed; call the county government office before design or site work¹³¹¹.
State park rules begin at 3 fee-based spaces and do not establish permission to occupy a single RV, mobile home, or tiny house on private land⁷.
A septic permit can expire for construction purposes if work does not begin within 1 year unless the permit is revalidated¹⁶.

Sources

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Arkansas County scores

Seclusion72100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency55100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability48100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost81100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$125kTypical home

0.6%Property tax

$4,364Land / acre

50.6"Annual rain

9.6% of yrsSevere drought

21.2 / yr (+18.1)Mid-century 100°F days

17.8 daysMid-century dry spell

2.43" (+6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.56×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,753Home insurance / yr

0.8% / yrInsurance growth

1.77%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

253,689People within 2 hr

7,742Radius comparison (15 mi)

16.4People / sq mi

12.2%Federal land

99.8%Land at 15% slope or less

1.6%Septic soil without severe limits

9,686 acWorkable land screen

40.6%Wooded land

67.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

62.8°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Arkansas County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Arkansas County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
Arkansas County has not adopted comprehensive countywide zoning; land-use regulation exists only within municipalities, and no county planning/zoning department is listed.
Arkansas.gov - Arkansas County ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Arkansas counties, cities, and municipalities that issue building permits for new building construction under the Arkansas Energy Code.
- The rule applies to counties, cities, or municipalities that issue building permits for new building construction.
- A local government may use prior plan approval, building-permit requirements, and inspections during construction.
- The source states that applicable local governments were required to adopt the Code before 2014-12-31.
- The source states an effective date of 2015-01-01.
adoption deadline: <= 2014-12-31 · effective date: 2015-01-01
“All counties, cities or municipalities that issue building permits for new building construction are required to adopt this Code for new construction, additions and renovation of existing structures. However, the local municipality shall not in any way modify the energy conservation standards in this Code or promulgate or adopt rules or regulations that are less stringent than this Code. A local government may exercise other administrative and enforcement procedures that it deems necessary to affect the purposes of this Code, including, but not limited to, prior plan approval, building permit requirements, and inspections during the course of construction.”
2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
  “They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
  Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
State residential-contractor licensing for an owner building or improving a single-family residence in Arkansas County.
- A person acting as a residential building contractor in construction of the person's residence is exempt unless the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
- The owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner's own home-improvement contractor on the owner's own property is exempt.
- The source addresses contractor licensing requirements; it does not establish an exemption from any building permit, inspection, code, septic, or other local or state approval requirement.
maximum residences built by an owner-builder under the first exemption: <= 1 residence per calendar year (The exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during any calendar year.)
“The following shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this subchapter: (1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year; (2) The owner of a single family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property;”
Arkansas Residential Licensing Law and Rules ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Conditional — State residential-building-contractor and home-improvement-contractor licensing requirements for an owner building or improving the owner's residence or single-family residence on the owner's property.
  “The following shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this subchapter: (1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year; (2) The owner of a single family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property;”
  Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Available (with conditions) — Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.
  “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, use, occupancy, and demolition of buildings and structures in Arkansas, including Arkansas County, subject to the code's scope and exceptions.
- The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition, is the foundation document that local jurisdictions may modify only to adopt more stringent provisions.
- New structures must comply with the applicable Arkansas Fire Prevention Code building or residential volume.
- Detached one- and two-family dwellings and qualifying townhouses may comply with either Volume II or Volume III as specified by the code.
- Appendices not adopted by the State of Arkansas do not apply unless adopted by local ordinance.
- The cited rules state an effective date of January 1, 2023.
effective date: 2023-01-01
“Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code”
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Rules, 2021 Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
4 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — Building, residential, and fire-code compliance for construction in Arkansas County and elsewhere in Arkansas.
  “2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Includes: Fire Code, Building Code, Residential Code) (Based on IBC 2021 w\Arkansas Amendments)”
  Current Applicable State Codes in Arkansas ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
  “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
  2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
- Partial — State projects in Arkansas.
  “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
  “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Construction subject to Arkansas Building Code compliance and any applicable inspection regime.
- The official statewide source expressly recognizes areas where inspections are not required.
- Where an inspection is required, the applicable inspection authority and process are not specified by this statewide source.
“areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.
- Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
- The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
- A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
“An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
6 CAR § 31-425. Charter school facilities ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — New or renovated facilities of open-enrollment public charter schools before operations with students commence.
  “An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
  6 CAR § 31-425. Charter school facilities ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
  “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
  DBA Project Closeout Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
Subdivision lots statewide that use drip dispersal design for determining minimum lot size under Arkansas Department of Health onsite wastewater rules.
- The rule applies when drip dispersal design is used to determine minimum lot size for subdivisions.
- Minimum depth to bedrock requirements in section 7.2.2 must be met.
- Primary and secondary absorption areas must be flagged on contour.
- Legal descriptions of the primary and secondary absorption areas must be included in the legal descriptions of the lots.
- The rule is an onsite-wastewater standard and does not establish a general county land-use minimum lot size.
minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acre (Only for lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size under the stated criteria.)
“Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be 0.5 acres or larger.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
- The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
- Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Tiny homesLimited
Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.
- The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
- Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
- Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
- The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.
minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)
“three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — Tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas County when placed in a regulated park or when classified under the state rule according to plumbing inspection status.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Limited — Parcels with three or more spaces for tiny houses on wheels, recreational vehicles, or mobile homes where placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee.
  “Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
  20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Manufactured homesLimited
Parcels with three or more fee-based spaces for mobile homes, tiny houses on wheels, or recreational vehicles.
- Three or more spaces are required before the parcel is treated as a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park under this rule.
- Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
- The parcel is considered a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions require case-by-case Department of Health approval.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior Department of Health approval and detailed plans and specifications.
spaces threshold: >= 3 spaces (fee-based placement or maintenance services)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Manufactured or mobile-home occupancy in Arkansas County when three or more homes are placed or intended for placement with fee-based placement or maintenance services.
  ““Mobile home park” means a parcel of land for the placement of three (3) or more mobile homes, tiny homes on wheels, or recreational vehicles where services for a fee are provided for the placement for residential purposes;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Accessory dwellingsLimited
Municipal regulation of at least one accessory dwelling unit on a lot or parcel containing a single-family dwelling in Arkansas, including incorporated municipalities in Arkansas County such as Stuttgart and DeWitt; this Act does not itself regulate county government or establish a countywide rule for unincorporated Arkansas County.
- The accessory dwelling unit must be a self-contained and independently accessed living unit on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling of greater square footage, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities, and must comply with or be exempt from applicable regulatory requirements.
- A municipality must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit by right, meaning without a public hearing, variance, conditional use permit, special permit, special exception, or other discretionary zoning action other than a site-plan conformity determination.
- The unit may be attached, detached, or internal. If attached or detached, it may not exceed 75% of the primary dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
- Municipalities may continue to apply regulatory requirements, including the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, locally adopted ordinances and amendments, applicable zoning ordinances and conditions, design standards, and other applicable state and local laws.
- A municipality may not require additional parking or fees in lieu of additional parking; matching exterior design, roof pitch, or finishing materials; owner occupancy; a familial, marital, or employment relationship between occupants; development impact fees exceeding $250; public-street or sidewalk improvements except for reconstruction or repair of infrastructure disturbed by construction; more restrictive height, setback, lot-size, lot-coverage, or frontage standards than those for the primary dwelling; more onerous development standards; a restrictive covenant as a permit condition; or separate water and sewer from the primary structure.
- The Act does not prohibit municipal regulation of short-term rentals.
- A municipality may charge an accessory-dwelling-unit application-review fee not exceeding $250 per unit, in addition to usual building fees.
- A policy, regulation, or ordinance in effect on or after January 1, 2026 that conflicts with the Act is invalid to the extent of the conflict.
- A municipality may require a will-serve letter from both a municipal water system and municipal sewer system, or Department of Health approval where municipal water or sewer service is unavailable.
- The Act does not supersede applicable regulatory requirements and allows municipalities to adopt more-permissive rules.
- The Act was approved on March 18, 2025, but the official legislative summary states that acts without an emergency clause or specified effective date became effective August 5, 2025; the Act contains no emergency clause or specified effective date.
maximum detached or attached ADU size: 75% of primary dwelling gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less (Internal ADUs are not subject to this specific attached/detached size sentence.) · maximum development impact fee: <= 250 USD (The municipality may not assess development impact fees in excess of $250.) · maximum application-review fee: <= 250 USD per accessory dwelling unit (Usual building fees may be charged in addition.) · conflicting local policy invalidity date: 2026-01-01 (Invalid only to the extent of conflict with Act 313.)
“Except as provided in this section, a municipality shall not adopt a policy, regulation, or ordinance that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise regulates the use of at least one (1) accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot or parcel that contains a single-family dwelling.”
Act 313 of the Regular Session, 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Who permits septicMixed
Onsite wastewater systems in Arkansas County and statewide Arkansas.
- The Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent approves onsite wastewater permits.
- Where a city or county has an authorized agent, that authorized agent acts for the Department of Health; otherwise applications are made to the Department.
“(h)(1) For those cities or counties with authorized agents, the authorized agent shall be the authorized agent of the department. (2) In the event that an authorized agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the department.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Arkansas County.
- The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
- The installer must notify the authorized agent or designated representative when the installation is ready.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access.
- The installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
installer documentation deadline: 5 days
“(2) After approval of the inspection, the authorized agent will approve and issue a permit for operation. (3) The system shall not be used until the permit for operation is issued.”
14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Individual or off-grid sewage disposal, treatment, holding, or handling systems in Arkansas County.
- Individual systems must comply with 14 CAR pt. 21.
- Discharges from sewage disposal or treatment facilities are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the Department or the Division of Environmental Quality.
- Off-property discharges must be disinfected, meet current discharge standards, and require an NPDES permit from the Division of Environmental Quality.
- Facilities must be at least 100 feet from domestic water wells and 300 feet from the high-water mark of a water-supply lake or intake under ideal conditions; greater distances may be required locally.
minimum distance from domestic water well: >= 100 feet (greater distances may be required where local conditions demand) · minimum distance from water-supply lake or intake: >= 300 feet (greater distances may be required where local conditions demand)
“(B) Discharges from sewage disposal or treatment facilities are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the department or the Division of Environmental Quality. (C) All off-property discharges must be disinfected and meet current discharge standards. (D) Property owners with off-property discharges must contact the Division of Environmental Quality to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.”
20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Allowed (with conditions) — Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.
  “Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
  Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Well permitLimited
Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
- Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
- If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
- This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
“Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
New buildings or residences in Arkansas County seeking public water service or located near a public sewer.
- In an unsewered area, public water service requires written documentation that the Department approved sewage-disposal plans or that no disposal-system approval is required.
- Connection to public sewer is required for homes and businesses when the sewer exit is within 300 feet of public sewer access on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley.
- New public water service also requires documentation that the service line and building plumbing were inspected and found substantially compliant with the Arkansas Plumbing Code.
public sewer connection distance: <= 300 feet (measured from the point where the sewer exits the building to access to the public sewer) · public water plumbing inspection compliance: substantial compliance (Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65)
“(1) Approved sewage disposal required. No public water system shall provide service to a new building or residence in an unsewered area until the customer provides written documentation that: (A) The department has approved plans for construction of a sewage disposal facility for the building or residence; or (B) No disposal system approval is required by the department for the building.”
20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
  “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
- The plat must be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any recording requirements imposed by city or county government.
- Filing is not required, but may be submitted, for survey plats of subdivided property located in a municipality where the property has previously been surveyed and a plat filed.
plat distribution deadline: 30 days after completion
“Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area; this source does not establish a general countywide floodplain permit requirement for private or local development in Arkansas County.
  “When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area”
  22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
State-regulated onsite wastewater permit review fees for property in Arkansas County, including unincorporated areas and municipalities subject to the Arkansas Department of Health rules.
- A fee is levied for review of each permit and is payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.
- The review fee must be paid before issuance of Part 1 of the Permit Application, and no refund is due if the applicant does not proceed.
- Construction must begin within one year of issuance or the permit must be re-validated by the original submitting Designated Representative or the Department’s Authorized Agent.
- For individual onsite wastewater applications, the fee is $30 for structures of 1,500 square feet or less; $45 for more than 1,500 and up to 2,000 square feet; $90 for more than 2,000 and up to 3,000 square feet; $120 for more than 3,000 and up to 4,000 square feet; $150 for more than 4,000 square feet; and $30 for alteration, repair, or extension of an individual sewage disposal system.
- Residential auxiliary areas such as garages, carports, and porches are excluded when calculating square footage.
individual application review fee, structure <= 1,500 sq. ft.: 30 USD · individual application review fee, structure > 1,500 and <= 2,000 sq. ft.: 45 USD · individual application review fee, structure > 2,000 and <= 3,000 sq. ft.: 90 USD · individual application review fee, structure > 3,000 and <= 4,000 sq. ft.: 120 USD · individual application review fee, structure > 4,000 sq. ft.: 150 USD · alteration, repair, or extension review fee: 30 USD
“A fee shall be levied for the review of each permit.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (with conditions) — Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
  “$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
  22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Arkansas state department development projects located within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area.
- The application is submitted on a Design Review Section-approved form.
- The application must identify the site, development type, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachments, and applicant contact and signature information.
- Supporting materials may include FEMA maps, other regulatory permits, elevation certificates, no-rise certification, flood-proofing certification, utility or onsite-waste-disposal certification, and watercourse-alteration notification.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; additional information may be requested.
- If approved, the floodplain administrator issues a design-phase development permit; the permit must be posted during construction, followed by compliance review before final acceptance.
permit application timing: before development of covered property · appeal or review completion point: prior to final acceptance
“the department shall submit an application for a development permit”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas County when three or more RV spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy for a fee, including spaces operated as a recreational-vehicle park.
  “Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
  20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Allowed (with conditions) — Temporary or transient dwelling use of recreational-vehicle spaces in Arkansas County in a Department-of-Health-approved recreational-vehicle park.
  ““Recreational vehicle park” means a parcel of land, for which plans have been approved by the Department of Health, where three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles for transient dwelling purposes, typically by night or week, commonly associated with travel to, at, or near an attraction;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Local zoning — Local zoning within Arkansas County, including zoning administered by Arkansas County for unincorporated areas and by incorporated municipalities within their respective limits.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable to property in Arkansas County, including the distinction between unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential structures in unincorporated Arkansas County.
Setbacks — Building and development setbacks in Arkansas County, including unincorporated areas.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Arkansas County.

3 more unanswered

Building height
Camping on your land
Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in Arkansas County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arkansas’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Critical Groundwater Area designation in Arkansas is explicitly NON-regulatory — no water right or permit is required to drill or use a well, even inside a critical area. A new landowner can drill a household well anywhere.

Limit: non-domestic users >=50,000 gpd register; domestic exempt

Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — Water-Use Registration / Critical Groundwater Areas ↗

Grand Prairie Critical Ground Water Areapartial of county
CGWA (1998) over the Mississippi River Valley alluvial + Sparta aquifers in the rice belt; large alluvial cone of depression (20-50% saturated thickness). Non-regulatory; domestic wells not barred.
Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — 2023 Groundwater Report; USGS ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arkansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Arkansas County, Arkansas

Is Arkansas County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Arkansas County scores 73/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

Arkansas County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Arkansas County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Arkansas County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138. The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing. The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

Land in Arkansas County runs about $4,364 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Arkansas County?

Arkansas County gets about 50.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.6% of years. On water rights, Arkansas County lies in the Grand Prairie Critical Ground Water Area — CGWA (1998) over the Mississippi River Valley alluvial + Sparta aquifers in the rice belt; large alluvial cone of depression (20-50% saturated thickness). Non-regulatory; domestic wells not barred..

How remote is Arkansas County?

A typical private-land location has about 7,742 people within 15 miles and 1,805,144 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Arkansas County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

Who handles building, zoning and permitting in Arkansas County?

Does Arkansas County have zoning?

How do septic and well permits work in Arkansas County?

Can you live in an RV, mobile home or tiny home on your land in Arkansas County?

Building a home in Arkansas County: what are the steps?

What to check before you buy land in Arkansas County

Watch-outs

Sources

Arkansas County in Arkansas

How Arkansas County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Arkansas County

Arkansas County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Water rights & wells in Arkansas County

Living off-grid in Arkansas County, Arkansas

Is Arkansas County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Arkansas County?

How much does land cost in Arkansas County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Arkansas County?

How remote is Arkansas County?

How Arkansas compares in Arkansas