Bolthole Index

Benton County, Arkansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Garfield, Arkansas

Garfield is a city in Benton County, Arkansas. Garfield adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Garfield’s rules apply, not the county’s. 31 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 1, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Benton County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Garfield

Garfield’s own rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Tiny homes inside Garfield city limits only; general building inspection schedule not found

    • Each tiny home must pass inspection by the code enforcement officer or any later structural standards adopted by the city.
    • All state and city building codes must be complied with.
    “each tiny home must pass inspection by the code enforcement officer, or any subsequent structural standards which may be adopted by the city of garfield.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Garfield city limits (municipal zoning ordinance 153)

    • Ordinance 153 divides the city into districts shown on an official zoning map kept by the recorder/treasurer.
    • Land annexed into the city is zoned agricultural until evaluated and reassigned.
    • Text read from an OCR copy of the city-hosted PDF; later amendments not checked beyond the 8/13/19 notations on its first page.
    “the city is hereby divided into districts, or zones, as hereinafter described, and as shown on the official zoning map.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land inside Garfield city limits

    • Official zoning map is kept in the recorder/treasurer office and controls; the map itself was not opened.
    • Overlay and special purpose districts may be added by council but none were found in the code text read.
    “(1) base zoning districts: agricultural district residential estates residential neighborhood commercial commercial”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential Estates district inside Garfield city limits

    • This is a minimum building dimension per side, not a minimum floor area. No minimum square footage was found in the code text read.
    • Tiny homes are capped at 750 square feet of living space under Ordinance 194 (see tiny home claim).

    minimum principal structure dimension on each side: >= 24 feet (entire 24 feet finished on permanent foundation)

    “each principal structure shall have a minimum total dimension on each side of twenty-four (24) feet, and the entire twenty-four (24) feet shall be finished on a permanent foundation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential district (main single-family district) inside Garfield city limits
      “each principal structure shall have a minimum total dimension on each side of twenty-four (24) feet, and the entire twenty-four (24) feet shall be finished on a permanent foundation.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential district (main single-family district) inside Garfield city limits

    • Duplexes allowed on 1 acre lots only.
    • Manufactured homes permitted (see manufactured home claim).

    minimum lot area: >= 1 acre · minimum lot width at building line: >= 120 feet

    “minimum area minimum lot width at building line 1 acre 120 feet”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential Estates district inside Garfield city limits

    • Accessory buildings set back at least 15 feet from side or rear lot lines.
    • Section 9(b) separately requires accessory buildings to be at least 5 feet from a property line; the district rule is read as controlling for estates.

    front setback: >= 30 feet · rear setback: >= 25 feet · side setback: >= 25 feet

    “minimum side setback 25 feet page 14 of31 minimum rear setback 25 feet”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Neighborhood Commercial district inside Garfield city limits

    • Lot coverage limit applies to building coverage only.

    building coverage maximum: <= 40 percent of lot area

    “building coverage shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the lot area.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential district (main single-family district) inside Garfield city limits

    • Accessory structures in residential districts may not exceed 12 feet measured from the eave.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories

    “no building shall exceed two and one-half (2 ½) stories, nor shall it exceed thirtyfive (35) feet in height.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Parking of recreational vehicles on residential lots inside Garfield city limits (not habitation)

    • Boats, trailers or RVs may be parked outdoors only if owned and used by a resident of the premises.
    • They must be currently registered and licensed as required by state law.
    • They may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes.
    “the boats, trailers or recreational vehicles are not used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny homes (750 sq ft or less of living space) inside Garfield city limits

    • Conditional use permit required if placed on a lot with an existing dwelling unit (then treated as an accessory dwelling unit).
    • No more than two tiny homes on one acre where there is no other dwelling; homes must be 50 feet apart and meet ordinance 153 setbacks; more than two on a tract is a subdivision.
    • Must be built on a foundation with at least six inches of steel-reinforced cement footing; homes on wheels not permitted.
    • Must have its own 911 address and one porch; must pass inspection by code enforcement officer.

    maximum living space: <= 750 square feet (excludes porches, decks, garages and unheated/uncooled space) · tiny homes per acre without other dwelling: <= 2 homes (must be 50 feet apart)

    “no more than two (2) tiny homes can sit on one (1) acre of land where there is no other dwelling unit and must be fifty (so) feet apart and meet all setbacks of ordinance 153.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes on private lots inside Garfield city limits

    • Manufactured homes are a permitted use in the Residential district, subject to Section 10 general standards.
    • Placement requires an application to the council for planning commission review and approval.
    • Must have HUD code certification before a permit is issued.
    • Must meet the district bulk and area requirements and provide an all-weather off-street parking space.
    • If in a floodplain, floodplain regulations control.
    “any person desiring to place a mobile home in the city of garfield shall file with the garfield city council an application requesting the planning commission's review and approval.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on residential lots inside Garfield city limits

    • Requires conditional use approval by the planning commission.
    • Must house immediate family members or on-site employees.
    • Not allowed for general rental purposes.
    • Short-term rental of an accessory dwelling unit is governed by Ordinance 193.
    “accessory dwelling units shall be allowed if conditional use approval is given by the commission. the dwelling unit shall be used to house immediate family members or employees who work on-site. accessory dwelling units shall not be used for general rental purposes.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Residential Estates lots inside Garfield city limits that use onsite septic

    • Approved perc test required, or proof existing septic lines are clear and follow current state regulations.
    • Tiny homes must be on a state approved septic tank.
    “property owner must provide an approved perc test, or if septic already exists, proof that current septic lines are clear of existing water lines and follow current state regulations.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Tiny homes inside Garfield city limits (general off-grid sanitation not addressed)

    • Composting toilets are not permitted for tiny homes; septic connection required.
    “no composting toilets will be permitted.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    Tiny homes inside Garfield city limits (general rule for other new homes not found)

    • Tiny homes must connect to electricity, city water and a state approved septic tank.
    • No sewer connection requirement was found in the zoning code text read; the water connection fee ordinance 222 was not opened.
    “each tiny home must be connected to electricity, city water and a state approved septic tank.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land into three or more lots for transfer or development inside Garfield city limits

    • Subdivision fees and regulations are governed by city ordinance no. 85 (not opened).
    • More than two tiny homes on one tract is a subdivision under Ordinance 194 and must comply with ordinances 64 and 85.
    “subdivisions - fee and regulations regarding subdivisions will be governed by city ordinance no. 85 as currently written and as amended from time to time.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Each permitted use or lot inside Garfield city limits

    • Lot must have access to a public street or public road, or a recorded access easement.
    • Access easement must be recorded in Benton County recorder office and at least 20 feet wide.

    access easement width: >= 20 feet

    “the access easement shall be at least twenty (20) feet in width.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Manufactured homes and additions in a floodplain inside Garfield city limits

    • Floodplain regulations control placement where a unit is in a floodplain.
    • The city floodplain ordinance was not located or opened; general floodplain permit rules are unknown.
    “unless that unit is located in a floodplain, in which case floodplain regulations shall control.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals (30 days or less to the same person) of single-family dwellings or ADUs inside Garfield city limits

    • Permit from the city recorder/treasurer required, plus a city business license under ordinance 187.
    • Must meet all requirements of zoning ordinance 153; POA covenants also apply in subdivisions.
    • Permit may not be issued for both a single-family dwelling and an ADU on the same parcel.
    • Registry of guests must be kept 18 months; permit expires December 31 annually; renewal due January 31.
    “it is unlawful for any person to advertise, maintain, or operate a short-term rental of a dwelling in the city of garfield without a permit required by this ordinance and a business pennit required by ordinance no. 187.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Short-term rental permit fees inside Garfield city limits (building permit and other city fees not found)

    • Fee set by council and may be amended.
    • Late renewal penalty $25 per month.
    • Fee is in addition to business license, transient occupancy tax and other fees.

    initial short-term rental application fee: 150 USD (nonrefundable; as of date of passing) · short-term rental renewal fee: 25 USD (due each year, renewal by January 31)

    “which as of the date of passing is one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the initial application, twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for renewal each year”
  • Permit processPartial

    Conditional use permits and rezoning/variance requests inside Garfield city limits

    • Application filed with the recorder/treasurer on the city form with a fee; notarized; adjoining owner notice by certified mail.
    • Planning commission public hearing after 15 days published notice.
    • Appeals to city council within 10 days; council decision in writing within 20 days.
    “an application shall be filed with the city recorder/treasurer using the city's application form and accompanied by the appropriate fee as established by the city council to defray processing costs.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for residential construction inside Garfield city limits
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Garfield city limits
  • Septic inspection — Septic system inspection inside Garfield city limits
  • Well permit — Private well permits inside Garfield city limits
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from city building or land-use rules inside Garfield 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Garfield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Benton County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Garfield means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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