Bolthole Index

Benton County, Arkansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Siloam Springs, Arkansas requires a city building permit before anyone builds, adds to or alters a building.1 The city also runs its own zoning through its Planning Division, separate from Benton County.2 Septic permits inside the city come from the Arkansas Department of Health, not the city's building office, and a permit can be refused where public sewer is reasonably available.3

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the city before building, adding to or altering a building1
Certificate of occupancy
Required; no structure may be occupied before final inspection4
Zoning
City zoning districts apply inside city limits52
Septic
Arkansas Department of Health permit; may be refused where sewer is available3
Owner-builder
Allowed with insurance proof; one such permit per three years6
RV living
Only temporary stays in the city's RV park district7
Minimum lot (R-2)
7,000 square feet in the R-2 district5

Who to call

Building permits

City of Siloam Springs Building Division

City building permits, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy inside Siloam Springs

479-373-6466 ext. 1

410 N Broadway, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Planning & zoning

City of Siloam Springs Planning Division

City zoning map, rezoning, lot splits, plats, variances and building permit review for zoning inside Siloam Springs

479-373-6466 Ext. 2

410 N Broadway, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health (Benton County septic and well permitting)

Septic and well permits for Benton County addresses, including inside Siloam Springs

(479) 986-1300

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Siloam Springs, Arkansas?

Yes. City code says no one may construct or erect any building, or make an addition or alteration to an existing building, without first obtaining a building permit from the building official.1 Foundation ditches may be excavated before the permit issues, and work done without a permit doubles the permit fee.1

No structure may be occupied until a final inspection of gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building work is done and a certificate of occupancy is issued.4 Final inspection requests must be made at least two working days ahead.8

The city's Building Division enforces the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, the Arkansas Plumbing and Energy Codes, the National Electrical Code and other adopted codes.9

Who issues building permits in Siloam Springs, and how do you reach them?

The City of Siloam Springs Building Division issues building permits inside city limits. The office is at 410 N Broadway and the phone is 479-373-6466 ext. 1.10 To request a building, mechanical, plumbing or electrical inspection, call 479-373-1811, and give at least 24 hours' notice.10

The Planning Division, at 479-373-6466 Ext. 2, reviews zoning, lot splits, plats and variances, and checks building permit applications and business licenses.2 Benton County's Building Safety Department covers only unincorporated land and does not serve city addresses.11

Does Siloam Springs have zoning, and what does it mean for lots, RVs and tiny homes?

Yes. Siloam Springs has its own zoning districts and zoning map, and the Planning Division recommends checking the map before applying for any planning permit.2 Rules depend on the district. In the R-2 Residential Medium district, a single-family lot needs at least 7,000 square feet.5

Recreational vehicles are provided for in the city's recreational vehicle park district, which is for temporary habitation and travel, and no permanent residence may be established there.7 We could not confirm a rule for living in an RV on an ordinary residential lot or for tiny homes; ask the Planning Division before you place either.2

By contrast, Benton County's planning office states that unincorporated areas currently have no zoning, so rules differ sharply across the city line.11

How do septic permits work in Siloam Springs?

Septic permits do not come from the city. The Arkansas Department of Health regulates, inspects and issues permits for septic systems and wells in Benton County, and can be reached at (479) 986-1300.12 The state rule requires the permit application to be approved by the Department or its authorized agent before construction begins.3

Inside a city, sewer comes first. The state rule says an onsite wastewater permit shall be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible, with exceptions.13 Arkansas also requires connection to a sanitary sewer within 300 feet, available without crossing another person's property.14 Ask the city whether sewer reaches your lot before you plan a septic system. Soils matter too: only 6.1% of Benton County's soils rate as not very limited for a conventional drain field.15

Can you build your own home in Siloam Springs?

Yes, with conditions. A nonprofessional builder acting as general contractor on their own principal dwelling must submit proof of workers' compensation insurance and general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, and only one such permit may be granted in three years.6 Arkansas's contractor-license exemption for owners covers licensing only and does not eliminate permit, inspection or zoning requirements.16

Building a home in Siloam Springs: the steps, in order

  1. Check the city zoning map and call the Planning Division at 479-373-6466 Ext. 2 about your parcel's district.2
  2. Ask the city whether public sewer reaches the lot.13
  3. If it does not, apply to the Arkansas Department of Health for a septic permit at (479) 986-1300 before building.12
  4. Apply for your building permit with the Building Division.1
  5. Schedule inspections at least 24 hours ahead on 479-373-1811.10
  6. Get a final inspection and certificate of occupancy before anyone moves in.4

What stays with Benton County, and what to check before you buy near Siloam Springs?

Septic and well permits stay with the Arkansas Department of Health for every Benton County address, city or not.12 If the parcel is outside city limits, Benton County's planning and building offices apply instead, so confirm the parcel is inside Siloam Springs before relying on city rules.11

Benton County's effective property tax rate is 0.6%, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 14 miles away.1718 We could not confirm well permit, short-term rental or building height rules for the city; ask the Planning Division.

Watch-outs

  • A state septic permit can be refused where city sewer is reasonably available, so a lot near a sewer main may not accept a septic system.13
  • Nobody may occupy a new structure until the final inspection and certificate of occupancy are complete, and fines can reach $250 per violation per day.4
  • Rules change at the city line: Benton County's planning office says unincorporated areas have no zoning, which does not apply inside Siloam Springs.11

Sources

  1. Sec. 18-1. Building permits (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Siloam Springs Planning Division (siloamsprings.com)
  3. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  4. Building Permit Instruction Packet (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 35-194. R-2 District (Residential, Medium) (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 18-1. Building permits (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 22-600. Recreational vehicle park district purpose (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  8. Building Permit Instruction Packet (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  9. Building and Inspections Division (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Siloam Springs Building Division (siloamsprings.com)
  11. County Planning FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  12. Arkansas Department of Health (Benton County septic and well permitting) (bentoncountyar.gov)
  13. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) (Siloam Springs), quoted and re-checked
  14. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Siloam Springs

Siloam Springs’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, erection, additions, and alterations to buildings in Siloam Springs.

    • A building permit must be obtained before work begins; foundation ditches may be excavated before issuance; permits expire for commencement purposes after six months and unauthorized construction doubles the permit fee.
    “No person shall construct or erect any building of any type whatsoever, or make any addition or alteration to any existing building of any type without first obtaining a building permit from the building inspector.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Nonprofessional builders constructing their principal dwelling in Siloam Springs.

    • Applicant must provide workers' compensation insurance covering contractors and employees and general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence.
    • Only one such permit may be granted within three years from the last permit for the same purpose.
    • The requirements are independent of other permit requirements.

    general liability insurance: >= 100000 USD per occurrence · permit frequency: 1 permit per three years (for the applicant's principal dwelling)

    “Applications by nonprofessional builders acting as general contractors for building permits for a dwelling to be used as the applicants principal dwelling and residence shall be accompanied by proof of workers' compensation insurance which shall cover any and all contractors and employees to be hired and general liability insurance for the premises upon which the construction shall occur in an amount not less than $100,000.00 per occurrence.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building and inspections within Siloam Springs city limits.

    • The city lists multiple adopted codes, including the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Arkansas Energy Code, Arkansas Plumbing Code, Arkansas Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Existing Building Code, National Electrical Code, and ICC A117.1.
    “The City of Siloam Springs Building and Inspections Division operates under the following applicable codes:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work in Siloam Springs.

    • Final inspection covers gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and building work; final inspection requests must be made at least two working days in advance.
    “No structure shall be occupied until after a final inspection of gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building has been made and a certificate of occupancy has been obtained.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of structures in Siloam Springs after construction or permitted work.

    • No structure may be occupied before final inspection and certificate issuance; violation may result in a fine not exceeding $250 per violation per day.

    fine: <= 250 USD (per violation; each day is a separate offense)

    “No structure shall be occupied until after a final inspection of gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building has been made and a certificate of occupancy has been obtained.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family residential development in the R-2 Residential Medium district.

    • Minimum lot width is 70 feet for front or side loading/no garage lots and 55 feet for rear-loading garage or carport lots with rear public access.

    minimum lot surface area: >= 7000 square feet

    “Minimum lot surface area: 7,000 square feet.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicles and travel trailers in the Siloam Springs recreational vehicle park district.

    • The district is for temporary habitation and travel, vacation, and recreation purposes.
    • No permanent residence may be established in the district.
    • Permanent external appurtenances such as carports may not be attached to a vehicle.
    “The recreational vehicle park district is designed to provide for recreational vehicles and travel trailers suitable for temporary habitation and used for travel, vacation and recreation purposes. No permanent residence may be established in this district.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping or temporary habitation in the recreational vehicle park district.

    • Use is limited to recreational vehicles and travel trailers suitable for temporary habitation; no permanent residence is allowed.
    “The recreational vehicle park district is designed to provide for recreational vehicles and travel trailers suitable for temporary habitation and used for travel, vacation and recreation purposes. No permanent residence may be established in this district.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New buildings inside Siloam Springs where city sewer is available or where an approved private sewage disposal system is not authorized.

    • The city property-maintenance code recognizes connection to either public sewer or an approved private sewage disposal system.
    • The Arkansas onsite-wastewater rule states that an onsite permit shall be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible, subject to exceptions.
    “A Permit for the construction, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of an onsite wastewater system or alternate/experimental system shall be refused where public sewer systems are reasonably available or economically feasible”

Rules another office applies inside Siloam Springs

Siloam Springs does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of onsite wastewater systems inside Siloam Springs where public sewer is unavailable or an applicable exception applies.

    • Part I must be approved before construction.
    • A permit may be refused when public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible, except emergency repairs may proceed if a permit is obtained within ten working days.
    “Part I of the Permit Application form shall be completed by a Designated Representative and approved by the Department or its Authorized Agent prior to initiating construction.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Siloam Springs city limits.
  • Building height — Buildings in the A-1 district.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Siloam Springs city limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Siloam Springs city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural structures or uses inside Siloam Springs city limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Driveway access
  • 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.

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

← All of Benton County: county rules, score and offices