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

An ordinary home in unincorporated Clark County does not require a county building permit¹. Arkansas building codes remain mandatory statewide minimums even where no building permit or inspections are required². The state's current-code list identifies the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including fire, building and residential codes³. We could not confirm a county inspection or certificate-of-occupancy program; ask the County Judge about project-specific requirements¹². An owner building a personal residence is exempt from residential-contractor licensing unless the owner builds more than 1 residence in a calendar year⁷. Nonresidential farm buildings have state licensing and electrical-code exemptions, which do not waive other applicable rules¹³.

For an unincorporated parcel, start with the Office of the Clark County Judge at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, phone (870) 246-5847¹². For county-road access, contact the Clark County Road & Sanitation Department at 1501 Hwy 67 S, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, phone (870) 246-7602¹⁴. Septic applications go through the Arkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater Program and the Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the county health unit; the central office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 46, Little Rock, AR 72205, phone 501-661-2171⁶. For land inside Arkadelphia, direct zoning and code questions to the city's Building Department¹⁵.

Unincorporated Clark County has no county zoning¹. Inside Arkadelphia, the city's zoning districts govern uses and development; septic approval still comes from the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent^4,5. Rezoning in Arkadelphia requires appearing before the Planning Commission, coordinated through the city's Building Department¹⁵. We could not confirm minimum dwelling size, general building setbacks, height or lot-coverage limits for unincorporated Clark County; ask the County Judge before finalizing a site plan¹². Wastewater design can also affect lot size: subdivisions using drip dispersal have a half-acre minimum lot under the state onsite-wastewater rule¹⁶.

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^5,6. Obtain a Permit for Construction before work on the system and a Permit for Operation before use⁵. Only 2.9% of Clark County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so arrange the site evaluation early¹¹. For a new individual well, plan at least 50 feet from the lot line and 100 feet from any onsite wastewater system proposed on the same or adjacent lots⁵. No construction may begin on a subdivision lot using onsite wastewater until the Department gives final approval to the subdivision submission⁵. A residence cannot use a holding tank, even part time⁵. If public sewer is available within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit without crossing another person's property, Arkansas requires connection instead⁸.

Long-term occupancy of one RV or tiny home on private land in unincorporated Clark County remains unconfirmed; ask the County Judge's office before relying on it¹². Arkansas regulates a parcel as a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park when 3 or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy and placement or maintenance service is provided for a fee; construction or alteration then needs advance Department of Health approval¹⁷. A tiny house on wheels is treated under the same park rules as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, or as an RV when it is not⁹. A residence cannot substitute a holding tank for an approved wastewater system⁵. Off-grid homes in Clark County may use only Health Department-authorized, pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41; other wastewater still needs approved treatment or disposal, and construction and operation permits remain required⁵.

1. Check the parcel's jurisdiction: Arkadelphia has municipal zoning, while septic approval remains with the Arkansas Department of Health^4,5.

1. For unincorporated land, ask the County Judge about project-specific requirements and design to statewide building-code minimums^2,12.

1. Arrange the septic site evaluation and obtain Health Department approval before building, including the Permit for Construction for the wastewater system⁵.

1. Request a state-highway driveway permit from the district engineer, submit the form and drawings, and wait for issuance before right-of-way work¹⁸. For county-road access, ask the Road & Sanitation Department; we could not confirm a county driveway-permit rule¹⁴.

1. Have the septic installation inspected and obtain the Permit for Operation before use⁵.

For a well in Clark County, statewide construction standards and contractor licensing apply; public and semi-public wells need advance written Health Department approval, while we could not confirm a separate owner permit for an ordinary private domestic well¹⁰. State-highway access needs an Arkansas Department of Transportation driveway permit even for private, farm or ranch use; no bond is required for 1 noncommercial driveway¹⁹. Commercial access, including a housing subdivision entrance, requires a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, refundable upon satisfactory completion²⁰. Temporary access for 120 days or less also needs a permit and a $1,000 deposit or bond, refunded after satisfactory completion and right-of-way restoration²¹. We could not confirm private floodplain-development requirements in Clark County; ask the County Judge, because the state permit identified applies to state-department projects^12,22.