Craighead County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Craighead County, Arkansas does not require a general building permit for a home, and the county has no zoning ordinance¹². Floodplain development still needs a $25 county permit, while dividing unincorporated land into lots follows a county review and plat process³⁴. Septic systems go through the Arkansas Department of Health and the county Environmental Health Specialist⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required outside the floodplain; Craighead County has no planning board¹
Zoning: None; the county has no zoning ordinance²
Floodplain development permit: Required for any development in a mapped floodplain; $25 fee³
Septic permit: Required, through Arkansas Department of Health / the county Environmental Health Specialist⁵
Owner-builder exemption: Available for your own residence, unless you build more than one per calendar year⁶
Statewide residential code standard: Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies as a compliance standard even with no local permit⁷
Subdivision: Regulated in unincorporated areas through county concept-plan, plat and filing review⁴

Who to call

Floodplain permits

Craighead County Office of Emergency Management (Floodplain)

Issues Floodplain Development Permits and administers the county's NFIP floodplain program for Craighead County.

870-933-4575

[email protected]

Craighead County Annex, 511 Union, Room 5, Jonesboro, AR 72401

Online permits →

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (Environmental Health)

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) policy and permit review, carried out locally through the Environmental Health Specialist at the Craighead County health department.

501-661-2171

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

Also useful

Craighead County Judge's Office

Craighead County's chief administrative office. Since there's no planning or zoning department, this is where to direct general county government questions.

870-933-4500

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

No, not outside a mapped floodplain. Craighead County has no planning board and administers no general residential building permit¹. Arkansas's statewide Fire Prevention Code, including its residential-code volume, still applies as a compliance standard even in areas like unincorporated Craighead County where no local permit or inspection is required⁸. The one county-level permit that is required is the Floodplain Development Permit, which costs $25 and covers any development in a mapped flood hazard area³. No work of any kind may begin in the floodplain until that permit is issued, and the finished project can't be used or occupied until the county issues a Certificate of Compliance⁹.

Who handles permits and county business in Craighead County?

The Craighead County Office of Emergency Management issues Floodplain Development Permits and runs the county's NFIP program, out of the Craighead County Annex in Jonesboro¹⁰. There's no separate building or zoning department to contact instead, since the county has no planning board². For general county government matters, the County Judge's Office is Craighead County's chief administrative office¹¹.

Does Craighead County have zoning?

Craighead County has no zoning ordinance and no planning board in place². That does not make unincorporated land unrestricted: dividing land into two or more lots, or recombining previously platted lots, generally triggers the county subdivision process⁴. The process starts with a Concept Plan submitted to the County Judge, continues through preliminary-plat and construction-plan review, and ends with an approved final plat filed with the Circuit Clerk before lots may be sold⁴. Agricultural divisions into parcels of at least 5 acres are excluded unless they involve street dedication or utility installation⁴. We could not confirm countywide rules for minimum dwelling size, ordinary building setbacks, height or lot coverage; ask the County Judge's Office before relying on their absence¹¹. Parcels inside or near Jonesboro or another incorporated city may also fall under municipal planning jurisdiction⁴.

How do septic permits work in Craighead County?

Septic systems in Craighead County are regulated by the state, not the county⁵. The Arkansas Department of Health reviews onsite wastewater applications through an Environmental Health Specialist in each county health department, including Craighead County's¹². Where the county has an Authorized Agent, that agent acts for the department; otherwise applications go to the Department¹³. Off-grid sewage must still use an approved sanitary sewer, treatment facility, septic system or other adequate device, and onsite systems remain subject to permitting, inspection, operation and setback rules¹⁴. Authorized composting or incinerating toilets are possible, but other wastewater still needs approved treatment or disposal¹⁵. The system cannot be used until its inspection is approved and a Permit for Operation is issued¹⁶. Because 0% of mapped soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, get a site evaluation early and budget for an alternative design¹⁷.

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

We could not confirm a county rule that allows or prohibits living in a single RV, tiny home or accessory dwelling on private land in Craighead County. The lack of county zoning is not a confirmed right to occupy one indefinitely². Arkansas treats a paid parcel with at least 3 RV, tiny-house-on-wheels or mobile-home spaces as a regulated park¹⁸. A tiny house on wheels in such a park is treated as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the Arkansas Plumbing Code, and as an RV when it is not¹⁹. Any occupied setup still needs lawful sewage disposal; off-grid living does not waive wastewater permitting or operation rules¹⁴. Ask the County Judge's Office about current county practice before placing a unit, and ask Environmental Health how the proposed water and wastewater setup can be approved¹¹¹².

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

Ask the County Judge's Office whether the parcel is part of a subdivision or proposed land division; unincorporated subdivisions begin with a Concept Plan and require final-plat approval and filing before lot sales¹¹⁴.
Check whether the building site is in a mapped floodplain, and if so, obtain the $25 Floodplain Development Permit before work begins¹⁰³.
Have the wastewater site evaluated and work with the Craighead County Environmental Health Specialist on an approvable system¹²¹³.
Do not use the installed system until its inspection is approved and the Permit for Operation is issued¹⁶.
If sanitary sewer is available within 300 feet without crossing another property, connect instead of installing septic²⁰.
Obtain an Arkansas Department of Transportation access permit before doing work on a state-highway right-of-way²¹.
Build to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code even though Craighead County does not require a general residential building permit⁸¹.

What to check before you buy land in Craighead County

Start with wastewater: 0% of Craighead County's mapped soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make an acceptable septic site a purchase contingency¹⁷. Confirm that the legal description and plat comply with the county subdivision ordinance; residential land sellers must certify lots of at least 3 acres or provide an Arkansas Health Department subdivision-review approval letter⁴. Check the flood map because development in a mapped flood hazard area needs a $25 permit and cannot be occupied until the county issues a Certificate of Compliance³⁹. Verify legal road access and ask the road authority about the proposed driveway; work on a state-highway right-of-way needs a state access permit²¹. For carrying costs, the effective property tax rate is about 0.5% and the median annual bill is about $1,084²²²³.

Watch-outs

Craighead County has no zoning ordinance, but unincorporated land divisions are regulated; do not split, re-plat or market lots without checking the county's Concept Plan and plat requirements²⁴.
A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any development in a mapped flood hazard area even though Craighead County has no general building permit; check the county's floodplain map before you build³.
RV, tiny-home and accessory-dwelling occupancy on a single private site remains unconfirmed, and every occupied setup still needs an approved method of sewage disposal¹⁴.

Sources

Written September 29, 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 Craighead County scores

Seclusion41100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability51100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost81100% 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 →

$220kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$4,451Land / acre

51.1"Annual rain

6.8% of yrsSevere drought

21.3 / yr (+18)Mid-century 100°F days

16.7 daysMid-century dry spell

2.35" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.61×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,648Home insurance / yr

0.3% / yrInsurance growth

0.83%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

79,243People within 30 min

2,398,416People within 2 hr

96,860Radius comparison (15 mi)

161.2People / sq mi

0.3%Federal land

98.3%Land at 15% slope or less

0%Septic soil without severe limits

0 acWorkable land screen

18.5%Wooded land

72.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac

60.3°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Craighead County

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

Craighead County rules

Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision development and re-platting of land in the unincorporated area of Craighead County, Arkansas.
- A subdivision is defined as a division of land into two or more lots or parcels, including combination or recombination of two or more previously platted lots.
- Agricultural divisions into lots or parcels of five acres or more are excluded unless street dedication or utility installation is involved.
- A Concept Plan must first be submitted to the County Judge for review; the Quorum Court Road Committee may conduct further review within fifteen days when determined by the County Judge.
- The approval process consists of Concept Plan submittal, preliminary plat and construction-plan submittal and approval, and final-plan and bond submission, approval, and filing.
- Preliminary approval does not authorize construction or lot sales; the Final Plat must be approved and filed with the Craighead County Circuit Clerk.
- Preliminary submissions may require a plat fee, eight copies of the Preliminary Plat, one copy of detailed construction plans, and additional copies at the developer's or contractor's cost.
- Roads and drainage improvements must be designed and stamped by an Arkansas-registered professional engineer; minimum standards include a 60-foot right of way, a 22-foot ACHM paved driving surface, four-foot aggregate shoulders, and specified drainage and ditch requirements.
- No subdivision plat may be approved if it contains lots or building sites in a floodway. Floodplain portions must be delineated, and structures in the floodplain require County-approved base-flood-elevation certification and a finished floor one foot above BFE.
- All improvements must be completed within thirty-six months from preliminary-plat and construction-plan approval, secured by a performance bond equal to 100 percent of construction costs if unfinished.
- Final approval requires a final-plat application, a final plat fee as determined by the Quorum Court, assurances that required improvements are complete or bonded, utility-agency letters, and an approved ADEQ Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan.
- Residential land sellers must certify that lots are at least three acres or provide an Arkansas Health Department subdivision-review approval letter.
- The County Judge must approve or disapprove the Final Plat in writing within sixty days after receiving the final plat and required information and certifications.
- After County Judge approval, the developer must submit signed reproducible copies, file one copy with covenants and certifications at the Circuit Clerk's office, and may then begin selling lots.
- All plats approved by Craighead County remain contingent on receipt of applicable federal, state, or local permits or approvals.
- Conveyance by metes and bounds of tracts or lots meeting the subdivision definition is not permitted without compliance with the ordinance and filing an approved plat.
- Craighead County recognizes that municipalities may exercise planning jurisdiction and set minimum design standards for roads and subdivisions within their jurisdictions; this claim therefore applies only to unincorporated areas.
- The codified ordinance identifies the amendment as Ordinance 2019-013, passed 06-26-2019.
agricultural-lot threshold: >= 5 acres (Agricultural divisions at or above this threshold are excluded from the subdivision definition unless street dedication or utility installation is involved.) · preliminary review period: 30 days (The County Judge and Quorum Court Road Committee indicate approval, disapproval, or approval with conditions within 30 days after review.) · minimum road right of way: >= 60 feet (Additional right of way may be required for large grade changes.) · minimum paved driving surface: >= 22 feet (ACHM surface, with four-foot aggregate shoulders on both sides.) · improvement completion period: 36 months (Measured from approval of the Preliminary Plat and Detailed Construction Plan; performance bond applies if incomplete.) · final approval period: 60 days (Measured after receipt of the Final Plat and required information and certifications.) · minimum residential lot size certification: >= 3 acres (Seller may instead provide an Arkansas Health Department subdivision-review approval letter.) · performance bond: 100 percent (Amount sufficient to complete unfinished improvements, as determined by the Road Superintendent and approved by the County Judge.)
“When a developer intends to develop a parcel of land within the unincorporated area of Craighead County, a Concept Plan must first be submitted to the County Judge for review applicable to the planning requirements.”
Craighead County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Roads / Transportation ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Craighead County floodplain development permits.
- The published fee applies to the Arkansas Floodplain Development Permit application.
- The source does not state an effective date for the fee.
floodplain development permit fee: 25 USD
“APPLICATION for (Select One) ARKANSAS FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (FEE $25.00)”
FLOODPLAIN PERMIT PACKET.xlsx ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Craighead County floodplain development permit process.
- No work may begin until the permit is issued.
- The permit may be revoked for false statements, and work must cease until re-issued.
- The development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
- The permit expires if no work begins within 6 months of issuance.
- All other necessary local, state, or federal permits must be obtained before issuance.
- All property owners must sign the application; the application will not be accepted without all required owner signatures.
- The applicant consents to reasonable inspections before issuance of a Certificate of Completion.
“No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until a floodplain development permit is issued. The permit may be revoked if any false statements are made in this application. If revoked, all work must cease until a permit is re-issued. The development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued. The permit will expire if no work is commenced within 6 months of the date of issue. The permit will not be issued until any other necessary local, state, or federal permits have been obtained.”
FLOODPLAIN PERMIT PACKET.xlsx ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
The county states it currently does not have a planning board in place; only floodplain permitting is handled at the county level.
Craighead County - Floodplain (Office of Emergency Management) ↗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
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
  “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
  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
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
Who permits septicState
Onsite wastewater systems in Craighead County, including systems in unincorporated areas and municipalities, subject to Arkansas Department of Health rules and authorized-agent administration.
- For cities or counties with an Authorized Agent, the Authorized Agent acts for the Department.
- If an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications are made to the Arkansas Department of Health.
“For those cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent shall be the Authorized Agent of the Department. In the event that an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the Department.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Craighead County.
- The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
- The owner or occupant must provide free access at reasonable times.
- The installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
- Inspection may be performed by the Authorized Agent or, with approval, the Designated Representative.
- The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.
installer documentation 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 sanitationLimited
Private off-grid sanitation and sewage disposal in Craighead County.
- Onsite wastewater systems are allowed only under the applicable state permitting, inspection, operation, and setback rules.
- Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on premises in the cited rule's context.
- Off-property discharges require Department or Division of Environmental Quality permission and an NPDES permit.
- Sewage facilities must be at least 100 feet from domestic water wells and 300 feet from the high-water mark of a water-supply lake or intake under ideal conditions; greater distances may be required locally.
minimum distance from domestic water well: >= 100 feet (Greater distances may be required where local conditions demand.) · minimum distance from water supply lake or intake high-water mark: >= 300 feet (Distance applies under ideal conditions; greater distances may be required locally.)
“All sewage must be deposited in sanitary sewers, sewage treatment facilities, septic tank systems, or other systems or devices adequate to meet the needs of the people being served.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Allowed (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”
  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
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
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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Manufactured-home occupancy in Arkansas mobile-home parks, including parks located in Craighead County.
  “Mobile homes shall be separated from each other and from other buildings and structures by at least fifteen feet (15’), provided that mobile homes placed end-to-end may have a clearance of ten feet (10’) where opposing rear walls are staggered.”
  Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks ↗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.

Local zoning — Local zoning within Craighead County, including municipal and unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Craighead County, Arkansas, including possible municipal or other local zoning regimes.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Craighead County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size requirements in Craighead County.
Setbacks — Building setback requirements in Craighead County.

4 more unanswered

Lot coverage
Building height
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.

Water rights & wells in Craighead County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arkansas’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Critical Groundwater Area designation in Arkansas is explicitly NON-regulatory — no water right or permit is required to drill or use a well, even inside a critical area. A new landowner can drill a household well anywhere.

Limit: non-domestic users >=50,000 gpd register; domestic exempt

Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — Water-Use Registration / Critical Groundwater Areas ↗

Cache Critical Ground Water Areapartial of county
Northeast Arkansas / Cache River alluvial cone of depression; Craighead and Poinsett largely below 50% saturated thickness. Non-regulatory conservation designation; domestic wells not barred.
Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — 2023 Groundwater Report ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arkansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Craighead County, Arkansas

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

Craighead County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 79,243 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Craighead 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 (via county Environmental Health 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 Craighead County?

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

Land in Craighead County runs about $4,451 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Craighead County?

Craighead County gets about 51.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.8% of years. On water rights, Craighead County lies in the Cache Critical Ground Water Area — Northeast Arkansas / Cache River alluvial cone of depression; Craighead and Poinsett largely below 50% saturated thickness. Non-regulatory conservation designation; domestic wells not barred..

How remote is Craighead County?

A representative private-land location has about 79,243 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,398,416 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 land rules in Craighead County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles permits and county business in Craighead County?

Does Craighead County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Craighead County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Craighead County

Watch-outs

Sources

Craighead County in Arkansas

How Craighead County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Craighead County

Craighead County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Water rights & wells in Craighead County

Living off-grid in Craighead County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Craighead County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Craighead County?

How remote is Craighead County?

How Craighead compares in Arkansas