Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Centerton, Arkansas

Centerton’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Single-family residences and related outbuildings, multiple-family residences, commercial or manufacturing buildings, and remodeling or repair of such structures inside the incorporated limits of Centerton city, AR

  • Construction may proceed only after the city building permit is obtained.
  • Application goes to the department of building safety with building plans and a site plan, submitted digitally by email or on a USB drive (no discs).
  • No building or associated permit issues until the property has been approved by the city with a final plat recorded at the Benton County recorder's office and has 911 addressing (section 11.20.04(a)).
  • Work started before the permit is obtained has its fees doubled, without relieving code compliance (section 11.20.06).
  • The Title 11 chapter refers to the Benton County recorder's office, which places this ordinance in Benton County, Arkansas.

  building permit validity period: 180 days (from date of issuance)

  “the owner of any land situated within the incorporated limits of the city of centerton shall neither construct nor allow construction or placement, on such land, of any building or structure of a type set forth in sub-paragraphs a through d below, without having obtained a building permit from the city of centerton for such construction.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings and structures that require a city building permit, inside Centerton city limits

  • Inspections are listed in section 11.20.05(b) (foundations, slabs, framing and yard lines among others; the list is marked 'not all are listed').
  • Inspection requests are scheduled through the web portal in BSA software.
  • Final inspection and occupancy permit are required before occupancy (see certificate of occupancy claim).

  advance notice of inspection: >= 24 hours (in some instances 48 hours during times of increased construction)

  “the department of building safety will require a twenty-four (24) hour advance notice of inspection to be made”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings constructed under a city building permit inside Centerton city limits

  • Final inspection must be completed before occupancy.
  • A certificate of occupancy deposit (50 percent of the total building permit fee) may be required with the permit; it is refunded on issuance of the certificate of occupancy and forfeited if the building is occupied before the certificate issues (section 11.20.03(f) item 12).

  “5. final: to be done when building is complete prior to occupancy. building is not to be occupied until final inspection is completed and occupancy permit is issued.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land inside Centerton city limits that is to receive a building permit for a new structure

  • This is a building-permit precondition in Title 11. The city subdivision ordinance itself (plat procedure and standards) was not opened.
  • Permits may not be issued due to issues within the subdivision or property identified by building safety, such as existing hazards, unsafe conditions, or soil compaction testing.

  “no building permits or associated permits shall be issued for any structures until such time the property upon which the structure is to be constructed shall have first been approved by city of centerton with a final plat recorded at benton county recorder’s office”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permit fees for construction inside Centerton city limits

  • Valuation is set from the ICC building valuation data table, which the ordinance says is updated every six (6) months.
  • Electrical, mechanical and plumbing fees are paid in addition, by trade and dwelling size band.
  • Reinspection fee is $50.00; clean-up completion deposit is $500.00 for demolition or house moving; certificate of occupancy deposit is 50 percent of the permit fee.
  • Building permit fees are non-refundable once collected.
  • The fee schedule is labeled 'building permit fee schedule 2019' in the ordinance text; confirm the current schedule with the city before relying on any amount.

  building permit fee, valuation $1,000.01 to $50,000: 50 USD (plus $5.00 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000)

  “2. $1,000.01 up to $50,000.00 - $50.00 for the first $1,000.00 plus $5.00 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit application and issuance process for construction inside Centerton city limits

  • Plans are reviewed by the department of building safety for code compliance.
  • Permits remain valid for 180 days from issuance.
  • Work started before the permit is obtained has fees doubled (section 11.20.06).
  • The city council may waive code requirements for just cause after specific study (section 11.20.03(j)).
  • Permit issuance is subject to the plat precondition in section 11.20.04(a).

  permit validity period: 180 days (from date of issuance)

  “permit applications to be submitted via digital format emailed or on a usb (thumb) drive (no discs).”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Centerton or Benton County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Centerton city limits
• Local zoning — Land inside Centerton city limits (zoning administration by Centerton city)
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for land inside Centerton city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area for single-family dwellings inside Centerton city limits
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for the main single-family residential district inside Centerton city limits

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.