Crittenden County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Crittenden County, Arkansas requires a building permit and has zoning, but the current permit process, zoning coverage, fees and issuing office could not be confirmed¹². Before building on unincorporated land, call the Crittenden County Judge's Office for the current contacts. Septic approval comes through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent³.

At a glance

Building permit: Recorded as required; confirm the current process with the County Judge's Office¹⁴
Zoning: Recorded as present; current coverage and district rules need county confirmation²
Septic permits: Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent³
Septic inspection: Required before operation, followed by a Permit for Operation⁵
Owner-builder: Contractor-license exemption for your own residence, subject to the statewide limit⁶
RV or tiny-home living: Not confirmed for a single unit on private land; ask the county before occupancy⁷⁸
Sewer connection: Required when the qualifying public sewer proximity and access conditions apply⁹
Septic soils: No mapped soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limits¹⁰

Who to call

Building permits

Crittenden County Judge's Office

Administers ordinances enacted by the Quorum Court and operates the county road system; use this office to identify the current building, zoning, floodplain and county-road contacts.

(870) 739-3200

[email protected]

100 Court Square, Marion, AR 72364

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite-wastewater policy and assistance to Environmental Health Specialists in county health departments.

501-661-2171

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

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Crittenden County requires a building permit for construction in unincorporated areas¹. The current fees, application, inspections and issuing department could not be confirmed, so call the Crittenden County Judge's Office before ordering plans or starting work; that office administers ordinances enacted by the Quorum Court⁴. Arkansas's building-code requirements apply statewide even in places where local permits or inspections are not required, so uncertainty about the local permit process does not remove the state code baseline¹¹. The applicable statewide standard is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its building and residential volumes¹².

Who handles Crittenden County building permits?

A dedicated Crittenden County building department or current permit counter could not be confirmed on the county website. The practical starting point is the Crittenden County Judge's Office at 100 Court Square, Marion, AR 72364, by phone at (870) 739-3200 or email at [email protected]⁴. Ask which office now accepts building applications, whether your parcel is inside county jurisdiction, what plans and inspections are required, and whether a certificate of occupancy is issued. The statewide source expressly recognizes that some Arkansas areas have no local permit or inspection requirement, so the responsible local authority must answer the parcel-specific question¹³. For a driveway on a county road, ask the same office for the current access process because it operates the county road system⁴. A driveway connecting to a state highway requires an ARDOT access permit before work in the highway right-of-way¹⁴.

Does Crittenden County have zoning?

Crittenden County has zoning, but current countywide coverage, district boundaries, a zoning map and an administering department could not be confirmed². Treat zoning as a question to resolve before purchase, not as permission to use a rural parcel however you wish. Ask the County Judge's Office whether the parcel is governed by county zoning or lies inside a municipality, and request the current map, allowed-use table, setbacks, minimum lot size, building-height limits and any special-use procedure. The office administers ordinances enacted by the Quorum Court and can route the question to the current official⁴. We could not confirm a current county agricultural-building exemption, minimum dwelling size or accessory-dwelling rule, so obtain written answers for the specific parcel before relying on a seller's description.

How do septic permits work in Crittenden County?

The Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent approves onsite-wastewater permits serving Crittenden County property³. The state program works with Environmental Health Specialists in county health departments and reviews applications for qualifying onsite systems¹⁵. After installation, the system must be inspected and approved before operation; the installer must notify the authorized agent or designated representative when it is ready and submit the required documentation to the local health unit⁵. A qualifying sanitary sewer must be used when it is within 300 feet of the building's sewer-exit point, is available, and can be reached without crossing another person's property⁹. Crittenden County's mapped soils show 0% free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early contingency and expect that an alternative design may be necessary¹⁰. Contact the state Onsite Wastewater Program at 501-661-2171 to identify the current local specialist¹⁵.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Crittenden County?

We could not confirm a Crittenden County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term occupancy of one RV or tiny home on private land. Ask the county about the parcel's zoning, building status, utility connections and occupancy rules before moving in. Arkansas health rules answer a narrower question: a parcel with 3 or more paid spaces intended for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes is treated as a regulated park when placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee⁷. Under the same health framework, a tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the Arkansas Plumbing Code, and as an RV when it is not⁸. Those park rules do not decide whether one RV or tiny home may be occupied on an ordinary private parcel. Wastewater approval still applies, and only department-authorized composting or incinerating toilets meeting the state conditions may be used as part of an onsite system¹⁶.

Building a home in Crittenden County: steps in order

Call the Crittenden County Judge's Office to identify the current building, zoning, floodplain and county-road contacts for the parcel⁴.

Confirm jurisdiction, allowed use, setbacks and the current building-permit and inspection process before finalizing plans¹².

Contact the Arkansas Department of Health Onsite Wastewater Program and arrange the site evaluation and permit path through the proper local specialist or authorized agent¹⁵³.

Determine whether the qualifying sewer-connection rule applies before designing septic; the threshold is 300 feet plus the rule's availability and access conditions⁹.

Obtain an ARDOT access permit before building a driveway in a state-highway right-of-way¹⁴.

Build to the applicable Arkansas Fire Prevention Code requirements¹². An owner building the owner's own residence may use the contractor-license exemption, but it does not waive permits or other rules and does not apply when that person builds more than 1 residence in a calendar year⁶.

What should you check before buying land in Crittenden County?

Start with written confirmation of jurisdiction, permitted use, setbacks, legal access and floodplain requirements because current county zoning and floodplain details were not confirmed on an official page. Test the wastewater path before the due-diligence period ends: 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field¹⁰. The terrain is gentle, with 100% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but flat ground does not cure wastewater or drainage constraints¹⁷. Annual precipitation is about 53.9 inches, which makes drainage and flood history worth checking on the actual tract¹⁸. Farmland value averages about $4,236 per acre, while the effective property-tax rate is around 0.6% and the median annual property-tax bill is about $934¹⁹²⁰²¹. A private domestic-well permit requirement could not be confirmed; the available state approval rule covers public and semi-public systems, so ask the health department what applies to the proposed water source²².

Watch-outs

Do not rely on an old fee table or zoning label: the current Crittenden County permit office, process, fees, inspections and zoning coverage could not be confirmed on an official county page; call the County Judge's Office at (870) 739-3200⁴.
Crittenden County's mapped soils show 0% free of severe conventional drain-field limitations, so make wastewater feasibility a purchase contingency¹⁰.
A qualifying sanitary sewer within 300 feet must be used when it is available without crossing another person's property⁹.

Sources

Written September 28, 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 Crittenden County scores

Seclusion42100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency48100% ev.

Admin Boringness48100% ev.

Durability55100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost82100% 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 →

$169kTypical home

0.6%Property tax

$4,236Land / acre

53.9"Annual rain

7.6% of yrsSevere drought

18.6 / yr (+16.7)Mid-century 100°F days

16.9 daysMid-century dry spell

2.4" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.52×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,939Home insurance / yr

0.1% / yrInsurance growth

1.19%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

15,591People within 30 min

2,150,386People within 2 hr

68,188Radius comparison (15 mi)

76.9People / sq mi

1.8%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

0%Septic soil without severe limits

0 acWorkable land screen

14.7%Wooded land

61.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac

62°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Crittenden County

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

Crittenden County rules

County-wide zoningPresent
The county administers Zoning Regulation No. 1 with zoning districts (NUDZ, UDZ, GI), a Zoning Administrator, and the Crittenden County Joint Planning Commission per Chapter 13, Article II.
Crittenden County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 - Planning/Zoning ↗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 requirements applicable in Crittenden County.
- The exemption concerns licensing requirements and does not establish whether a separate local building permit is required.
- A person constructing their own residence is exempt unless building more than one residence during a calendar year.
- An owner of a single-family residence acting as their own home-improvement contractor on their own property is exempt.
maximum residences constructed under first exemption: 1 residence per calendar year (Exemption does not apply when the person builds more than one residence during a 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 Rules ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 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
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 (with conditions)
Onsite wastewater systems serving property in Crittenden County.
- The Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent approves onsite wastewater permits.
- A local Authorized Agent may administer the Department's program where designated.
“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 26, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Crittenden County under Arkansas statewide onsite-wastewater rules.
- A completed permit application and detailed plans must be submitted to and approved by the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent before construction of a building or residence.
- A valid Permit for Construction is required before construction, alteration, repair, or extension of an onsite wastewater system.
- A Permit for Operation is required before operation, after inspection and approval.
- If public sewer is available and can be connected without crossing another person's property, premises within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building must connect to sanitary sewer and onsite wastewater systems may not be constructed, maintained, or used there.
- Emergency repairs may begin without prior notification or prior issuance of a permit only if the required permit is obtained within 10 working days.
- For a city or county with a designated Authorized Agent, applications are made to that Authorized Agent; if no Authorized Agent has been designated, applications are made to the Department.
- Construction must begin within one year after permit issuance or the permit must be revalidated by the original submitting Designated Representative or the Department's Authorized Agent.
sewer connection distance: <= 300 feet (Applies when sanitary sewer is available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property.) · emergency repair permit deadline: 10 working days (Permit may be obtained after emergency repairs.) · individual permit review fee for structures 1,500 square feet or less: 30 USD · individual permit review fee for structures more than 1,500 and up to 2,000 square feet: 45 USD · individual permit review fee for structures more than 2,000 and up to 3,000 square feet: 90 USD · individual permit review fee for structures more than 3,000 and up to 4,000 square feet: 120 USD · individual permit review fee for structures more than 4,000 square feet: 150 USD · alteration, repair, or extension permit review fee: 30 USD
“Permits for construction and operation of onsite wastewater systems shall be obtained in accordance with this part prior to the construction, installation, or modification of the onsite wastewater system.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 29, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Construction, installation, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Crittenden County.
  “Part I of the permit is the permit for construction.”
  14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure ↗Re-checked Sep 29, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation inspection and approval of onsite wastewater systems in Crittenden County.
- The installer must notify the authorized agent or designated representative when installation is ready.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access.
- The system cannot be used until the Permit for Operation is issued after inspection approval.
“The system shall not be used until the permit for operation is issued.”
14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure ↗Re-checked Sep 29, 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Privies and onsite wastewater systems used instead of sanitary sewer in Crittenden County.
  “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. No privies, onsite wastewater systems, or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.”
  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 hookupConditional
Premises using onsite wastewater systems where a sanitary sewer is available within the rule's distance and access conditions.
- Connection is required when the sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building and is available to the premises.
- Connection must be possible without crossing another person's property.
- No privy or onsite wastewater system may be constructed, maintained, or used in that circumstance.
distance from building sewer exit: <= 300 feet (Only when the sewer is available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property.)
“All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within 300 feet”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 29, 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
- The plat must be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any recording requirements imposed by city or county government.
- Filing is not required, but may be submitted, for survey plats of subdivided property located in a municipality where the property has previously been surveyed and a plat filed.
plat distribution deadline: 30 days after completion
“Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
- The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
- For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
- Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.
basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition
“$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Arkansas state department development projects located within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area.
- The application is submitted on a Design Review Section-approved form.
- The application must identify the site, development type, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachments, and applicant contact and signature information.
- Supporting materials may include FEMA maps, other regulatory permits, elevation certificates, no-rise certification, flood-proofing certification, utility or onsite-waste-disposal certification, and watercourse-alteration notification.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; additional information may be requested.
- If approved, the floodplain administrator issues a design-phase development permit; the permit must be posted during construction, followed by compliance review before final acceptance.
permit application timing: before development of covered property · appeal or review completion point: prior to final acceptance
“the department shall submit an application for a development permit”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Local zoning — Local zoning rules in Crittenden County and its incorporated municipalities.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts in Crittenden County, including the unincorporated area.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Crittenden County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size under Crittenden County land-use rules.
Setbacks — Building setbacks under Crittenden County land-use rules.

6 more unanswered

Lot coverage
Building height
Camping on your land
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Crittenden County, Arkansas

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

Crittenden County scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: sparse surroundings — about 15,591 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Crittenden County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county 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 Crittenden County?

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

Land in Crittenden County runs about $4,236 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Crittenden County?

Crittenden County gets about 53.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.6% of years.

How remote is Crittenden County?

A representative private-land location has about 15,591 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,150,386 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 Crittenden County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles Crittenden County building permits?

Does Crittenden County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Crittenden County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Crittenden County?

Building a home in Crittenden County: steps in order

What should you check before buying land in Crittenden County?

Watch-outs

Sources

Crittenden County in Arkansas

How Crittenden County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Crittenden County

Crittenden County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Crittenden County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Crittenden County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Crittenden County?

How remote is Crittenden County?

How Crittenden compares in Arkansas