Clark County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Clark County, Arkansas has no county building department and no building permit for an ordinary home; the county's own government site lists no building, inspections, or planning office¹. Zoning works the same way: Clark County has no zoning ordinance of its own, and only the City of Arkadelphia, through its Planning Commission, regulates zoning and rezoning within its city limits²³. Septic is different: every onsite wastewater system in the county is permitted through the Arkansas Department of Health, not any county office⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Clark County; Arkansas's statewide building code still applies as a compliance standard even without a local permit¹⁵
Zoning: None countywide; only the City of Arkadelphia has its own zoning and Planning Commission²³
Septic permits: Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program, working with each county's Environmental Health Specialist⁴⁶
Owner-builder: Exempt from Arkansas residential-contractor licensing when building your own residence, capped at one home per calendar year⁷⁸
Sewer connection rule: A septic system is not allowed if a public sewer is available within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit point⁹
Tiny home on wheels: Classified as a manufactured home or an RV depending on whether it's plumbed under the state plumbing code; parks of 3+ paid spaces need Health Department approval¹⁰
Agricultural buildings: Nonresidential farm buildings are exempt from state electrical-code licensing requirements¹¹
Septic soil difficulty: Only 2.9% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field¹²

Who to call

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Environmental Health)

Site evaluations, construction and operation permits, and inspections for onsite wastewater (septic) systems in Clark County

501-661-2171

4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 46, Little Rock, AR 72205

Online permits →

Also useful

Office of the Clark County Judge

Chief executive of Clark County government; authorizes county funds, operates the county road system, and administers ordinances enacted by the Quorum Court, including any future building or land-use ordinance

(870) 246-5847

[email protected]

401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Roads & driveways

Clark County Road & Sanitation Department

County road maintenance and residential trash/sanitation service; the office to start with for a question about a county road

(870) 246-7602

1501 Hwy 67 S, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 23, 2026.

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

No, not for an ordinary home in unincorporated Clark County. The county government's own site lists no building, inspections, or planning department, and Arkansas law lets counties adopt permit programs but does not require it, so most simply haven't¹. That doesn't mean there's no applicable code: the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its Residential Code volume, applies statewide as a compliance standard even in areas where no permit or inspection is required, so a home still has to be built to that standard even though nobody is checking¹³⁵. If you build your own home to live in, Arkansas exempts you from residential-contractor licensing requirements, as long as you don't build more than one residence in a calendar year⁸. Inside the City of Arkadelphia, it's a different story entirely: the city runs its own Building Department and Planning Commission, and that's who you'd deal with for a permit or rezoning³.

Who do you contact in Clark County, and how do you reach them?

There is no county building or zoning office to call, since Clark County doesn't run a permit program¹. For county government generally, and for any question about whether the county has since adopted an ordinance affecting your land, the Office of the Clark County Judge is the county's chief executive office, at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, phone (870) 246-5847¹⁴. For county roads and residential sanitation service, contact the Clark County Road & Sanitation Department at 1501 Hwy 67 S, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, phone (870) 246-7602¹⁵. For septic, the office isn't a county department at all: it's the Arkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater Program, which sets statewide policy and works through an Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the local county health unit, with its central Environmental Health office at 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 46, Little Rock, AR 72205, phone 501-661-2171¹⁶. If your parcel is inside Arkadelphia's city limits, building and zoning questions instead go through the City of Arkadelphia's own Building Department³.

Does Clark County have zoning?

No, not outside its cities. Clark County has no countywide zoning department or ordinance, and its own government site directs zoning and rezoning questions to the City of Arkadelphia's Planning Commission rather than to any county office²³. That means for land outside Arkadelphia and the county's other incorporated towns, there's no confirmed county rule on minimum lot size, setbacks, building height, or lot coverage; no official county source establishes those limits one way or the other². One statewide rule touches lot sizing indirectly: where a subdivision uses drip dispersal design for its septic systems, Arkansas rule sets a 0.5-acre minimum lot size¹⁷. A wheel-mounted tiny house is classified under state rule as a manufactured home if it's plumbed and inspected under the Arkansas Plumbing Code, or as a recreational vehicle if it isn't; putting three or more paid spaces for these on one parcel makes it a regulated mobile home or RV park requiring Department of Health approval¹⁰.

How do septic permits work in Clark County?

Every onsite wastewater system in Clark County needs approval from the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent before construction of a building or residence begins, based on a completed application with detailed plans and specifications¹⁶⁶. You'll need both a Permit for Construction before building, altering, repairing, or extending the system, and a separate Permit for Operation before you can actually use it; emergency repairs can proceed without a prior permit only if one is obtained within 10 working days afterward¹⁸. After installation, the installer notifies the local health unit for an inspection, and the system can't be used until the Permit for Operation is issued following that approval¹⁹. Soils matter here: only 2.9% of Clark County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation early and expect many properties to need an engineered system¹². One rule can override your septic plan entirely: if a public sewer is available within 300 feet of where the sewer would exit your building, without crossing another person's property, Arkansas requires you to connect to that sewer instead of installing a septic system⁹.

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

No official Clark County source directly addresses long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy on private land, so this is genuinely unconfirmed rather than settled. What is confirmed is how Arkansas classifies a wheel-mounted tiny house: it's treated as a mobile home if plumbed and inspected under the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, or as a recreational vehicle if it isn't, and putting three or more paid spaces on one parcel turns it into a regulated mobile home or RV park needing Department of Health plan approval¹⁰. Because unincorporated Clark County has no zoning ordinance, there's also no confirmed county-level restriction that would stop you from placing a single RV or tiny home on your own land, but the honest answer is that no official source confirms this either way, so a call to the County Judge's office is worthwhile before you commit¹⁴². Any septic system or water connection serving that unit still needs the same Arkansas Department of Health permit as a conventional home¹⁶.

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

First, confirm your parcel is outside Arkadelphia or another incorporated town; if it's inside city limits, start with that city's building department instead³. Second, in unincorporated Clark County there's no building permit to apply for, but build to the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and Residential Code anyway, since it applies as a statewide standard even without local enforcement¹³. Third, get a site evaluation and apply for your Onsite Wastewater Permit for Construction through the Arkansas Department of Health before building, especially since only 2.9% of the county's soils lack severe septic limitations¹⁶¹²¹⁸. Fourth, if a public sewer sits within 300 feet of your building's sewer exit point, connect to it instead of installing a septic system⁹. Fifth, schedule your installation inspection with the local health unit and wait for the Permit for Operation before using the system¹⁹. Sixth, if you need a new driveway onto a state highway, apply to the Arkansas Department of Transportation district engineer before starting work; commercial driveways require at least a $1,000 deposit or bond²⁰. Finally, if you're building your own home to live in, you're exempt from residential-contractor licensing as long as it's your only build that calendar year⁸.

What to check before you buy land in Clark County

Soils are the biggest planning issue: with only 2.9% of Clark County's land free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, get a site evaluation from the Arkansas Department of Health before assuming a standard system will work¹²¹⁶. Confirm whether the parcel is inside Arkadelphia or another incorporated town, since that changes who regulates zoning and building entirely³. Ask whether a public sewer runs within 300 feet of a likely building site, which would require a sewer connection instead of septic⁹. The land itself is gentle and heavily wooded, with 96.7% of the county at 15% slope or less and 80.5% forested, which favors building sites but means real clearing costs for open pasture²¹²². Drought is a real factor too, with 12.6% of years bringing severe drought, worth weighing against your water plan²³. Budget for carrying costs: Clark County's effective property tax rate runs about 0.6%, with a median annual bill near $839, against a typical home value around $168,242²⁴²⁵²⁶.

Watch-outs

No official Clark County source confirms whether unincorporated land has any minimum dwelling size, setback, lot-coverage, or RV/tiny-home occupancy rule; call the County Judge's office before assuming there are none¹⁴.
If Clark County later adopts a countywide building-permit program under Arkansas's county-permit-authority statute, the no-permit answer above would change; verify current status before you build¹.
Search results can blur unincorporated Clark County with the City of Arkadelphia, which does run its own Building Department and Planning Commission; confirm which side of the city line your parcel is on before assuming county rules (or their absence) apply³.

Sources

Written September 23, 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 Clark County scores

Seclusion76100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency62100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability60100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost86100% 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 →

$168kTypical home

0.6%Property tax

$3,036Land / acre

55.3"Annual rain

12.6% of yrsSevere drought

24.7 / yr (+19.5)Mid-century 100°F days

17.8 daysMid-century dry spell

2.73" (+3.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.45×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,603Home insurance / yr

1.3% / yrInsurance growth

0.67%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

480,640People within 2 hr

15,245Radius comparison (15 mi)

24.6People / sq mi

1.7%Federal land

96.7%Land at 15% slope or less

2.9%Septic soil without severe limits

15,913 acWorkable land screen

80.5%Wooded land

46.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

62.4°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Clark County

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

Clark County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
The county has no planning/zoning department; zoning applies only within the corporate limits of cities like Arkadelphia and Gurdon, not unincorporated Clark County.
Clark County Arkansas - Official County Government Website ↗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 exemptionConditional
Arkansas residential-contractor licensing requirements for an owner constructing the owner's residence or a single-family residence on the owner's property; this does not establish whether Clark County requires a building permit or inspections.
- The exemption is from licensing requirements under the Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law.
- A person constructing his or her residence is exempt unless he or she builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
- The owner of a single-family residence may act as his or her own home-improvement contractor on his or her own property.
maximum residences constructed by the person under the personal-residence exemption: <= 1 residence per calendar year (The source states the exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during any calendar year.)
“The following shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this subchapter: (1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year; (2) The owner of a single family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property;”
Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law and Rules of the Residential Contractors Committee ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (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.
  “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) — State building-code framework applicable to construction in Arkansas, including Clark County.
  “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 subdivisions using drip dispersal design to determine minimum lot size for onsite wastewater systems in Clark County and elsewhere in Arkansas.
- The rule applies when drip dispersal design is used in determining minimum lot size for a subdivision.
- The criteria in 14 CAR § 21-405(a)(6)(A) must be met: minimum depth to bedrock under 14 CAR § 21-602(b)(3), primary and secondary absorption areas flagged on contour, and legal descriptions of those areas included in the lot legal descriptions.
minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acre (Applies to lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size.)
“Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be five-tenths (0.5) of an acre or larger.”
14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions ↗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
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — Tiny houses on wheels in qualifying Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including Clark County.
  “(B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
- 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
Who permits septicState
Onsite wastewater systems in Clark County and statewide Arkansas.
- The Arkansas Department of Health may act through an Authorized Agent.
- Where no Authorized Agent has been designated for a city or county, applications are made to the Department.
“A completed Onsite Wastewater System Permit Application and detailed plans and specifications following the requirements found in Appendix F for the collection, treatment and/or renovation facilities for all wastes of a domestic nature, containing a predominance of human excreta and exclusive of industrial wastes shall be submitted to and receive the approval of the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent, prior to construction of a building or residence.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Clark County.
- A valid Permit for Construction must be obtained before construction, alteration, repair, or extension.
- A Permit for Operation must be obtained before operation.
- Permits may be refused where public sewer systems are reasonably available or economically feasible, or where issuance conflicts with applicable laws, rules, or Act 402 public policy.
- Emergency repairs may proceed without prior permit only if a permit is obtained within 10 working days after repairs.
construction start after permit issuance: <= 1 year (Construction must begin within one year of issuance or the permit must be re-validated.) · emergency repair permit deadline: <= 10 working days (Applies when emergency repairs are undertaken without prior issuance.)
“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.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
Installation inspection and authorization to operate an onsite wastewater system in Clark County.
- Part II of the permit application is the installation inspection.
- The installer must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative when installation is ready for inspection.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access.
- The installer must submit required installation documentation to the local health unit within five days.
- The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued after inspection approval.
installation documentation submission deadline: <= 5 days
“After approval of the inspection, the Authorized Agent will approve and issue a Permit for Operation. The system shall not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗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
Water-well construction and public or semi-public wells in Clark County under Arkansas statewide water-well rules.
- Water wells are subject to statewide construction and repair standards.
- Water wells must be constructed by persons holding a valid license unless exempt under the governing Act.
- A person contracting for or engaged in well construction or pump installation must hold or be employed by a licensed Arkansas Water Well Contractor and hold the proper licenses, certificates, and permits.
- Public and semi-public wells require written Department of Health approval before construction.
- The sources reviewed did not establish a separate owner-obtained permit requirement for an ordinary private domestic well.
rig permit fee: 145 USD (The 2020 Commission rules list a rig permit fee; the source does not state that the property owner personally applies for it.)
“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.”
Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission Rules ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
  “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 businesses in Clark County when a public sewer is accessible within the statutory distance.
- Connection to a public sewer is required when the point where the sewer exits the building is within 300 feet of access to a public sewer located on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley.
- The onsite wastewater rule separately states that premises within 300 feet of an available sewer, where connection can be made without crossing another person's property, may not use an onsite wastewater system or other receptacle for human excreta.
distance to public sewer: <= 300 feet (The general-sanitation rule describes access on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley; the onsite-wastewater rule adds that connection must be possible without crossing another person's property.)
“Connection to a public sewer system is required of all homes and businesses when the point where the sewer exits the building is located within three hundred feet (300’) of access to the public sewer located on the owner’s property or an adjacent street or alley (Arkansas Code § 14-235-304).”
20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Sewer (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.
  “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
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — State licensing and electrical-code exemptions for construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Clark County and elsewhere in Arkansas.
  “The construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
- 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 development in Clark County where onsite wastewater systems are proposed.
- Construction of any type may not begin on any lot in the subdivision until the Department has given final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems within the subdivision.
- Subdivision submissions must comply with the Arkansas Department of Health rules for onsite wastewater systems.
- The Department may delegate portions of its authority to a qualifying property owners association, but compliance with the rules, use of Department permit forms, and final approval of each permit by the Department's Authorized Agent remain required.
“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.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
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 [...]”
  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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Arkansas state-department development projects within a hundred-year floodplain or Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area, including any such state project in Clark County.
  “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 10, 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (with conditions) — Commercial driveway permits for access to commercial businesses, housing subdivisions, or public establishments adjoining Arkansas state highways, including Clark County.
  “Permits for initial construction or for modification of commercial driveways shall have a deposit or bond in the amount of a minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per driveway.”
  27 CAR § 94-301. General ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (with conditions) — Access driveway permit process for state highway right-of-way in Clark County and elsewhere in Arkansas.
  “A request for a permit to construct any driveway or to reconstruct any existing driveway shall be made to the district engineer.”
  27 CAR § 94-102. Instructions for securing an access driveway permit ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 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

Inside cities and towns in Clark County

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

Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning and rezoning within the City of Arkadelphia, an incorporated municipality in Clark County, Arkansas.
- For rezoning an existing property, the applicant must go before the City of Arkadelphia Planning Commission.
- The source does not establish zoning coverage outside Arkadelphia city limits.
“For those wanting to rezone an existing property, you must go before the City of Arkadelphia Planning Commission. This can be coordinated by the City of Arkadelphia Building Department.”
Cities & Incorporated Towns – Clark County Arkansas ↗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 — Countywide zoning districts in Clark County, Arkansas.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Clark County, Arkansas.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Clark County, Arkansas.
Building height — Building height in unincorporated Clark County, Arkansas.
Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units on parcels in unincorporated Clark County, Arkansas.

1 more unanswered

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 Clark County, Arkansas

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

Clark County scores 81/100 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 Clark County, Arkansas?

Clark 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 - Onsite Wastewater Program. 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 Clark County?

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

Land in Clark County runs about $3,036 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clark County?

Clark County gets about 55.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.6% of years.

How remote is Clark County?

A typical private-land location has about 15,245 people within 15 miles and 1,569,402 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who do you contact in Clark County, and how do you reach them?

Does Clark County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Clark County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Clark County

Watch-outs

Sources

Clark County in Arkansas

How Clark County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Clark County

Clark County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Inside cities and towns in Clark County

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Clark County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Clark County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Clark County?

How remote is Clark County?

How Clark compares in Arkansas