Bolthole Index

Boone County, Arkansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Boone County, Arkansas

72Index Score / 100
#43 of 75 in Arkansas

Boone County, Arkansas does not have a confirmed countywide building-permit answer for unincorporated land, although Arkansas building-code minimums still apply even where permits or inspections are not required12. Countywide zoning is also unconfirmed, while septic systems go through the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent345. Call the county before committing to a design or land purchase.

At a glance

Building permit
No countywide answer confirmed; Arkansas building-code minimums still apply12
Zoning
Countywide zoning in unincorporated Boone County is unconfirmed3
Septic permits
Approved by the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent45
Owner-builder
State contractor-licensing exemption is available for an owner building the owner's residence, subject to its conditions67
RV or tiny home
Private-parcel occupancy rules are not confirmed; ask the county before moving one onto the land89
Private well
A Boone County private domestic-well permit requirement could not be confirmed10

Who to call

Building permits

Boone County government

General county contact for directing unincorporated-area building, zoning, floodplain, and county-road questions to the responsible office

870-741-5760

220 N Arbor Drive, Harrison, AR 72601

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health — Boone County Local Health Unit

Local health-unit contact for Boone County onsite wastewater and septic questions

(870) 743-5244

1622 Campus, Harrison, AR 72601

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Boone County does not have a confirmed countywide answer on whether a house in an unincorporated area needs a local building permit1. Arkansas building-code requirements still apply statewide, including in places where permits or inspections are not required, but the statewide source does not create a universal permit requirement2. Before ordering plans or starting work, call Boone County government at 870-741-5760 and ask which authority has jurisdiction over the parcel and project11. If the parcel is inside Harrison, do not use the unincorporated-county answer: Harrison personnel conduct code enforcement and inspect buildings, electrical systems, plumbing systems, mechanical systems, and fuel-gas installations12.

Who handles building permits in Boone County, and how do you reach them?

No dedicated Boone County building department for unincorporated land is confirmed in the available county facts, so start with Boone County government at 220 N Arbor Drive, Harrison, AR 72601, or call 870-741-5760 for the responsible authority11. Ask separately about structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, floodplain, and driveway approvals because the statewide building-code rule does not identify the local inspector or permit issuer13. Harrison's Community Risk Reduction Division performs municipal inspections, but that fact applies to Harrison rather than all unincorporated Boone County land12. New businesses in Harrison also face a municipal occupancy inspection, which should not be treated as a countywide residential requirement14.

Does Boone County have zoning?

We could not confirm whether county zoning applies throughout unincorporated Boone County, so do not treat rural land as unrestricted3. Boone County government is the place to ask which office can confirm zoning, setbacks, minimum dwelling size, building height, lot coverage, and any floodplain review for a specific parcel11. A parcel inside a city may be subject to that city's rules rather than an unincorporated-county answer; Harrison's documented inspections are municipality-specific12. Arkansas also regulates subdivision plats and onsite-wastewater review in defined circumstances, so a plan to divide land can trigger review even when the county zoning answer remains unresolved1516.

How do septic permits work in Boone County?

Onsite wastewater systems in Boone County are permitted through the Arkansas Department of Health, acting directly or through its Authorized Agent45. Contact the Boone County Local Health Unit at 1622 Campus, Harrison, AR 72601, or call (870) 743-5244 for the local process17. The construction permit must be completed by a Designated Representative and approved before installation begins; the system then requires inspection and an operation permit before use1819. Only 4.3% of Boone County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic suitability an early contingency rather than assuming a standard layout will work20. If sanitary sewer is available within 300 feet of the building's sewer-exit point without crossing another person's property, Arkansas requires the premises to connect21.

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

We could not confirm a Boone County rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV or tiny-home occupancy on a private rural parcel, so ask Boone County government before moving a unit onto the land11. Arkansas's confirmed RV rule concerns parcels operated as paid parks with three or more spaces; it does not answer whether one owner may occupy one RV on private land8. The same park framework includes tiny houses on wheels but does not create a general statewide approval or ban outside a qualifying park9. A tiny house used as a dwelling still needs a lawful wastewater solution, and approved composting or incinerating toilets remain subject to state conditions and onsite-wastewater approval22.

Building a home in Boone County: the steps, in order

  1. Call Boone County government at 870-741-5760 to identify the authority for building, zoning, floodplain, and county-road access on the parcel11.
  2. Confirm whether the parcel lies inside a municipality, because Harrison's inspection program is municipal rather than countywide12.
  3. Contact the Boone County Local Health Unit at (870) 743-5244 and have a Designated Representative prepare the septic construction-permit application1718.
  4. Design the home to the statewide Arkansas building-code baseline even if the responsible authority says no local permit or inspection is required232.
  5. Obtain inspection approval and the septic operation permit before using the system19.
  6. If the driveway enters an Arkansas state highway, obtain the state highway access permit before work begins in the right-of-way24.

What should you check before buying land in Boone County?

Put septic feasibility near the top of the due-diligence list because only 4.3% of Boone County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field20. Terrain is mixed: 67.2% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, while 49.2% is wooded, so inspect the actual homesite, access route, and drain-field area rather than relying on county averages2526. Boone County's effective property-tax rate is 0.5%, with a median annual bill of $9042728. Farmland averages $3,933 per acre, while the typical home value is $237,1152930. Before closing, ask the county to identify any zoning, floodplain, setback, driveway, or subdivision review for the parcel, and make the contract contingent on water and wastewater feasibility1116.

Watch-outs

  • Do not mistake statewide building-code coverage for a universal building-permit requirement; Boone County's unincorporated-area permit authority must be confirmed for the specific project2.
  • Do not apply Harrison's municipal inspection and occupancy rules automatically to unincorporated Boone County land1214.
  • A septic system cannot be used until it has passed inspection and the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent has issued the operation permit19.

Sources

  1. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (2026 county census)
  2. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  3. (2026 county census)
  4. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (2026 county census)
  5. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  6. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (2026 county census)
  7. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Boone County government (portal.arkansas.gov)
  12. Community Risk Reduction, quoted and re-checked
  13. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Community Risk Reduction, codes and inspections, quoted and re-checked
  15. 15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  17. Arkansas Department of Health — Boone County Local Health Unit (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  18. 14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure, quoted and re-checked
  19. 14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. 14 CAR § 21-301. Generally (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Boone County in Arkansas

72
County map
Boone County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Boone County scores

Seclusion63100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness6677% ev.
Durability54100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$237kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$3,933Land / acre
46.8"Annual rain
9.9% of yrsSevere drought
15.2 / yr (+12.2)Mid-century 100°F days
16.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.29" (+6.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.58×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,752Home insurance / yr
0.9% / yrInsurance growth
0.86%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
26,381People within 30 min
1,253,236People within 2 hr
39,007Radius comparison (15 mi)
65.3People / sq mi
3.9%Federal land
67.2%Land at 15% slope or less
4.3%Septic soil without severe limits
15,776 acWorkable land screen
49.2%Wooded land
37.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Boone County

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

Arkansas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.

    • Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
    • The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
    “They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (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.

    • A person constructing the person’s own residence is exempt unless the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • An owner of a single-family residence may act as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s own property.
    • The exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not by itself eliminate applicable building-code, permit, inspection, zoning, or other requirements.

    maximum own residences constructed per calendar year before the stated exemption no longer applies: <= 1 residence (The statute states the exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.)

    “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    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.
    • Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
    • All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
    • The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
    “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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • 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.”
    • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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;”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems in Boone County and statewide Arkansas.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent approves the permit.
    • If no Authorized Agent has been designated for a city or county, applications are made to the Department.
    • The rule addresses domestic wastewater systems and contains exceptions for emergency repairs and other provisions.
    “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.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite wastewater systems in Boone County.

    • 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.
    • After inspection approval, a Permit for Operation is issued, and the system may not be used before that permit is issued.

    documentation submission deadline: 5 days

    “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, municipality or governmental agency to begin operation of any onsite wastewater system until such system has been inspected and approved by the Department or its Authorized Agent and the owner has first obtained a Permit for Operation issued by the Department or its Authorized Agent.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (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 may be used.
    • The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
    • Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
    • Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
    • The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
    “Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
  • 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.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (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.

    • When the stated distance and availability conditions are met, connection to the sanitary sewer is required.
    • Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises under that condition.

    sewer distance from building sewer-exit point: <= 300 feet (sewer must be 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.”
  • 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.”
    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;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions in Boone County that use standard onsite wastewater systems.

    • Construction of any type may not begin on a subdivision lot until the Department of Health gives final approval of the onsite-wastewater utilization submission.
    • Subdivision review may require soil mapping, soil reports, soil pits, loading rates, and flagged primary and secondary absorption areas.
    • This claim concerns state health review, not a complete county or municipal subdivision-plat regime.
    “Construction of any type shall not begin upon any lot in the subdivision until final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems within the subdivision has been made by the Department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
      “Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.

    • The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
    • For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
    • Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.

    basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition

    “$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Arkansas Department of Health onsite-wastewater permit review fees applicable to Boone County.
      “A fee shall be levied for the review of each permit. Permit fees shall be made payable to the Department. The review fee shall be paid before the issuance of Part 1 of the Permit Application.”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Arkansas onsite-wastewater permitting process applicable in Boone County.
      “Part I of the Permit is the Permit for Construction. 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.”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Boone County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • InspectionsLimited

    Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fuel-gas inspections conducted by Harrison’s Community Risk Reduction Division.

    • The official page says the division conducts inspections of buildings and listed systems, but does not establish a universal inspection schedule for every residential project.
    “In addition to their law enforcement responsibilities, these personnel conduct fire prevention activities, code enforcement, public education, and inspections of buildings, electrical systems, plumbing systems, mechanical systems, and fuel gas installations.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New businesses in the City of Harrison.

    • The requirement is expressly limited to new businesses; the page also states that a change of location or change of ownership requires an occupancy inspection.
    • The division should be contacted before opening to schedule the inspection.
    “The Community Risk Reduction Division conducts Certificate of Occupancy inspections for new businesses. The Division should be contacted prior to opening to schedule a date and time for the inspection. Any new business, change of location or change of ownership shall require an occupancy inspection.”

Still unanswered

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

  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Boone County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Boone County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for land use or development in Boone County.
  • Setbacks — Building and land-use setbacks in Boone County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits in Boone County.
4 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Boone County, Arkansas

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

Boone County scores 72/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

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

Boone County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones). Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program (via Boone County local health unit). 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 Boone County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Boone 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 Boone County, Arkansas?

Land in Boone County runs about $3,933 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Boone County?

Boone County gets about 46.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.9% of years.

How remote is Boone County?

A representative private-land location has about 26,381 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,253,236 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Boone compares in Arkansas

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