Chicot County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Chicot County, Arkansas has no county building permit and no county zoning office on record: the state's official Chicot County government listing shows no building, code-enforcement, or planning office, and land-use decisions are left to the county's municipalities¹². That means a house, barn, or shed built outside a town's limits needs no confirmed county sign-off to start construction. Septic is different: Arkansas regulates onsite wastewater (septic) systems statewide, and Chicot County applications go through the Arkansas Department of Health's local health unit in Lake Village³.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required; no county building office found¹
County zoning: No county zoning office found; land use is left to the towns²
Septic permit: Required statewide through the Arkansas Dept. of Health before construction begins³⁴
Owner-builder exemption: Yes, statewide, for your own single-family residence, unless you build more than one a year⁵⁶
Driveway onto a state highway: Needs an ARDOT access driveway permit before construction⁷
Septic setbacks: At least 10 ft from any dwelling or property line, 100 ft from a domestic water supply or stream⁸
Septic soils: Only 3.3% of soils rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field⁹

Who to call

Also useful

Chicot County government

General Chicot County government contact, listed on Arkansas's official state county directory; Chicot County does not appear to run its own separate county government website (chicotcounty.arkansas.gov redirects here, and chicotcounty.org is an unrelated parked domain), and this listing does not break out separate building, zoning, floodplain, or road departments

870-265-8000

108 North Main Street, Lake Village, AR 71653

Septic permits

Chicot County Local Health Unit (Arkansas Department of Health)

The Arkansas Department of Health's local office serving Chicot County; onsite wastewater (septic) permit applications and inspections for the county route through ADH's Onsite Wastewater program, typically reached through this office

(870) 265-2236

1740 HWY 65 & 82 South, Lake Village, AR 71653

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 24, 2026.

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

No county building permit was confirmed for unincorporated Chicot County: the state's official Chicot County government listing shows no building or code-enforcement office, and land-use authority is described as resting with the county's municipalities¹. Arkansas has adopted the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which includes the state's Building Code and Residential Code based on the International Building Code, as the applicable statewide construction standard, and that standard applies even in areas that don't run a local permit program¹⁰. In practice, that means the code sets a construction standard, but no source confirms anyone in unincorporated Chicot County currently enforces it with a permit or inspection¹¹¹².

Who handles permits and land-use questions in Chicot County?

Chicot County doesn't appear to run separate building, zoning, or road department web pages: the state's official directory for the county lists only a general government contact plus the Assessor and Collector¹³. Start with the county government line for anything involving a county road, a driveway, or a question specific to your parcel¹³. Septic is the one function with a clearly confirmed office: onsite wastewater permit applications and inspections for Chicot County go through the Arkansas Department of Health's local health unit in Lake Village¹⁴.

Does Chicot County have zoning?

No zoning or planning office was found for Chicot County: the state's official county listing doesn't show one, and available reporting indicates land-use decisions in the county are left to its municipalities rather than the county government itself². That's a lower-confidence finding than most of this guide, not a confirmed absence: Arkansas law lets counties adopt zoning if they choose to, this guide's research just didn't find one adopted for Chicot County¹. Because no zoning ordinance was located, this guide can't tell you whether Chicot County sets a minimum home size, a minimum lot size, a building-height limit, or rules for accessory dwellings on unincorporated land; those remain open questions rather than confirmed rules either way.

How do septic permits work in Chicot County?

Arkansas regulates septic (onsite wastewater) systems statewide, and a permit is required before construction, installation, modification, alteration, repair, or extension of a system⁴. Applications for Chicot County go through the Arkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater program, administered locally through the Chicot County Local Health Unit³. Once your installer finishes, they must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative so the system can be inspected, and it can't legally be used until ADH issues a Permit for Operation¹⁵. Site rules matter: state minimums require your septic system to sit at least 10 feet from any dwelling, building, or property line, at least 100 feet from a domestic water supply or a stream or lake's high-water mark, and at least 300 feet from a spring or public water-supply intake⁸. If a sanitary sewer line is already within 300 feet of your building and reachable without crossing someone else's property, Arkansas requires you to connect to it instead of installing a septic system¹⁶. Only about 3.3% of Chicot County's soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so plan on a site evaluation before you assume a standard system will work⁹.

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

This guide could not confirm a Chicot County rule either way: no county zoning or occupancy ordinance covering RVs, tiny homes, or manufactured homes on private land was located². Don't mistake Arkansas's state-park camping rules for an answer to that question: a state-park campsite is capped at eight people and one camping unit, limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period, and the rule explicitly states campers may not establish permanent or semi-permanent residence in a state park¹⁷¹⁸. That limit governs camping at a state park, not what you can do on land you own. Call the Chicot County government line before you commit to living in an RV or tiny home on a Chicot County parcel, since no confirmed county rule settles the question yet¹³.

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

Confirm whether your tract sits inside or near a town's limits; Chicot County's own zoning and building rules were not confirmed, so a nearby municipality's ordinances may still reach a parcel close to town².
No county building permit is required to start construction on unincorporated Chicot County land, though Arkansas's statewide Fire Prevention Code sets a construction standard regardless¹¹⁰.
If you'll be your own general contractor building your own single-family residence, Arkansas exempts you from residential-contractor licensing, as long as you don't build more than one residence in the same calendar year⁵⁶.
Get your septic permit before construction: apply through the Chicot County Local Health Unit for an Arkansas Department of Health onsite wastewater permit, and budget for a site evaluation given the county's limited septic soils¹⁴⁹.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, get an ARDOT access driveway permit from the district engineer before construction; a commercial driveway generally needs at least a $1,000 deposit or bond⁷.
Call the county government line with anything else specific to your parcel, since Chicot County doesn't publish separate department pages for roads, floodplain, or zoning¹³.

What to check before you buy land in Chicot County

Soils: only about 3.3% of Chicot County's soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation before you buy is worth the cost⁹. Slope: 100% of the county's land sits at 15% slope or less, flat and easy to build on¹⁹. Flooding: about 4.2% of Chicot County is federal land, and no county floodplain administrator was confirmed online, so check FEMA flood maps and call the county government line before you buy near water²⁰¹³. Access: a driveway onto a state highway needs an ARDOT permit before you can build it⁷. Location: Chicot County sits about 93 miles from the nearest metro area with a population density around 15 people per square mile²¹²². Taxes: the effective property tax rate runs about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $494²³²⁴.

Watch-outs

No zoning, building, floodplain, or road department was confirmed for Chicot County; treat this guide's zoning and occupancy answers as "not found," not as "no rule exists," and confirm with the county government line before you build¹³.
Don't confuse Arkansas's state-park RV and camping limits with rules for living on your own land; they govern park campsites only, not private property¹⁷.
If a sanitary sewer line is within 300 feet of your building and reachable without crossing another property, Arkansas requires connecting to it instead of using a septic system¹⁶.

Sources

Written September 24, 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 Chicot County scores

Seclusion70100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency49100% ev.

Admin Boringness82100% ev.

Durability48100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost83100% 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 →

$93kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$4,081Land / acre

56.2"Annual rain

15% of yrsSevere drought

24.8 / yr (+21.5)Mid-century 100°F days

17.7 daysMid-century dry spell

2.69" (+6.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.51×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,888Home insurance / yr

-0.4% / yrInsurance growth

0.6%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

14,553People within 30 min

666,337People within 2 hr

10,416Radius comparison (15 mi)

15People / sq mi

4.2%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

3.3%Septic soil without severe limits

9,721 acWorkable land screen

20.9%Wooded land

43.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac

64.2°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Chicot County

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

Chicot County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
No county planning or zoning office is listed and reporting indicates land-use is left to the municipalities, consistent with this rural county having no county-wide zoning in unincorporated areas.
Arkansas.gov - Chicot County ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
Who permits septicArkansas Department of Health (ADH) Onsite Wastewater program (via county Onsite Environmental Specialist)
Onsite wastewater (septic) permits are issued under the statewide ADH Onsite Wastewater program; applications go to the Department unless a county Authorized Agent is designated.
Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet 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.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
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;”
Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
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.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — Building-code requirements applicable statewide in Arkansas, including Chicot County, subject to the project type and any applicable local requirements.
  “Current Applicable State Codes in Arkansas (This list contains only the most commonly requested. Other codes may be applicable to a specific project.) [...] 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 10, 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
- 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
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.”
  DBA Project Closeout Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
Lots in Arkansas subdivisions using drip dispersal design to determine minimum lot size for onsite wastewater systems, including subdivisions in Chicot County
- The rule applies to minimum lot size for subdivisions using drip dispersal design, not to a general county zoning minimum lot size.
- Minimum depth to bedrock must satisfy Section 7.2.2.
- 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.
- Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be 0.5 acres or larger.
minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acres (Applies when drip dispersal design is used for minimum lot size in a subdivision.)
“Drip dispersal design may be used in determining minimum lot size for subdivisions when the following criteria are met: Minimum depth to bedrock in section 7.2.2, primary and secondary absorption areas are flagged on contour, legal description of primary and secondary absorption areas included in the legal description of those lots. 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 10, 2026
SetbacksSpecified
Minimum horizontal distances for onsite wastewater facilities in Chicot County, including residential septic systems
- The distances are minimum horizontal distances and greater distances may be required where local conditions demand.
- Waivers, except where public water supplies are involved, must be submitted to and approved by the Department.
- Waivers affecting public water supplies must be submitted to and approved by Engineering.
- The quoted distances apply to facilities used for collection, treatment, and renovation of wastewater, not general building setbacks.
distance from qualifying body of water near public water supply intake: >= 300 feet (When within one quarter mile of a public water supply intake on that body of water.) · distance from spring used as public water supply: >= 300 feet · distance from domestic water supply: >= 100 feet · distance from stream or lake high-water mark: >= 100 feet · distance from pond on same property: >= 50 feet (If in the pond watershed.) · distance from pond on adjacent property: >= 100 feet (If in the pond watershed; in no case may the minimum pond separation be less than 50 feet.) · distance from dwelling or building: >= 10 feet · distance from property lines: >= 10 feet · distance from water service line: >= 10 feet (See Arkansas Plumbing Code.) · distance from sinkhole: >= 100 feet
“Facilities used for the collection, treatment, and renovation of wastewater shall be at least 10 feet from any dwelling or building. 6.2.7 Facilities used for the collection, treatment, and renovation of wastewater shall be at least 10 feet from all property lines.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 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
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;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, modification, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of onsite wastewater systems in Chicot County.
- Permits for construction and operation must be obtained before construction, installation, or modification.
- A permit may be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible, or where issuance conflicts with applicable law or public policy.
- Emergency repairs may begin without prior permit, but a permit must be obtained within 10 working days after repairs are made.
- The rule contains an exception cross-reference to 14 CAR § 21-204.
emergency-repair subsequent permit deadline: 10 working days (After emergency repairs made without prior issuance)
“prior to initiating construction.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation inspection and issuance of an operation permit for onsite wastewater systems in Chicot County.
- The installer must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative when installation is ready for inspection.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable-time access.
- Within five days, the installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit.
- The inspection may be made by the Authorized Agent or, with Authorized Agent approval, the Designated Representative.
- The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.
installer documentation deadline: 5 days
“installation is ready for inspection.”
14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
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”
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 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.”
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
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%”
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 — RV occupancy at Arkansas state-park campsites, including any such campsite in or serving Chicot County
  “Campsites are limited to occupancy by eight (8) persons, excluding day use guests, and one (1) camping unit, which may consist of no more than two (2) structures, such as: [...] (i) One (1) RV and one (1) large tent or two (2) small tents; [...] 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 10, 2026
- Limited — Temporary camping at Arkansas state-park campsites, including any such campsite in or serving Chicot County
  “Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period. Seven-day extensions beyond this fourteen-day limit may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October, when campgrounds are not at capacity.”
  22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Zoning districts — Zoning-district publication for Chicot County
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential dwellings in unincorporated Chicot County
Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Chicot County
Building height — Building height in unincorporated Chicot County
Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Chicot County

2 more unanswered

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 Chicot County, Arkansas

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

Chicot County scores 70/100 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 Chicot County, Arkansas?

Chicot 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 (ADH) Onsite Wastewater program (via county Onsite Environmental Specialist). 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 Chicot County?

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

Land in Chicot County runs about $4,081 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Chicot County?

Chicot County gets about 56.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 15% of years.

How remote is Chicot County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,553 people within a 30-minute drive and 666,337 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.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles permits and land-use questions in Chicot County?

Does Chicot County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Chicot County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Chicot County

Watch-outs

Sources

Chicot County in Arkansas

How Chicot County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Chicot County

Chicot County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Chicot County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Chicot County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Chicot County?

How remote is Chicot County?

How Chicot compares in Arkansas