Dallas County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Dallas County, Arkansas has no building or zoning department: the state's own county directory lists only an Assessor and a Collector for the county, with nothing else¹. There's also no county zoning office, so unincorporated land isn't governed by a county zoning ordinance². Septic is a separate matter handled by the state: the Arkansas Department of Health's Dallas County Local Health Unit in Fordyce issues onsite wastewater permits and inspects installations before they're covered³⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required countywide; Dallas County's official directory lists only an Assessor and a Collector office¹
Zoning: No county zoning office or ordinance for unincorporated land²
Septic permits: Arkansas Department of Health, Dallas County Local Health Unit (Fordyce)³⁴
Owner-builder: Exempt from Arkansas residential-contractor licensing when building your own single residence, up to one per calendar year⁵⁶
State building code: Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide as a compliance standard even where no local permit or inspection is required⁷
Driveway onto a state highway: Needs an Arkansas DOT permit before work starts⁸
Septic soil difficulty: Only about 2.5% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, among the toughest tracked for this guide⁹

Who to call

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Dallas County Local Health Unit

Onsite wastewater (septic) system permits, plan review and installation inspections for Dallas County

(870) 352-7197

201 North Spring St., Fordyce, AR 71742

Also useful

Dallas County Judge's Office

General county government; Dallas County's official directory lists no separate building, zoning, planning or floodplain office, so this is the county's central administrative contact

870-352-3371

202 3rd Street West, Fordyce, AR 71742

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

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

No. The State of Arkansas's own county directory lists only two offices for Dallas County — an Assessor and a Collector — with no building, zoning or code-enforcement department at all¹. That's consistent with most rural Arkansas counties, which have the legal option to adopt a building-permit program under state law but simply haven't¹. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its residential volume, still applies statewide as a compliance standard "even in areas when no permit or inspections are required," so the code itself governs construction quality even though no one in Dallas County checks for it at a permit counter⁷.

Who do you call about building and land questions in Dallas County?

There's no building department to call, because Dallas County doesn't run one¹. For septic, the office is the Arkansas Department of Health's Dallas County Local Health Unit in Fordyce, which administers onsite wastewater permits statewide on the county's behalf¹⁰¹¹. For everything else, the Dallas County Judge's office is the county's central administrative office, also based in Fordyce, and the practical starting point since the county's own directory lists no dedicated zoning, planning or road department separate from it¹². If your access point is a state highway rather than a county road, that's a different call again: the Arkansas Department of Transportation requires its own permit before any access driveway is built, reconstructed or modified on state highway right-of-way⁸.

Does Dallas County have zoning?

No. Dallas County's official directory shows no zoning or planning office, meaning unincorporated land here isn't governed by a county zoning ordinance². That's real, but it isn't confirmation that anything goes: no official Dallas County page states a minimum lot size, setback distance, building-height limit or minimum dwelling size for unincorporated land, and none addresses manufactured homes or accessory dwellings there either². Treat that as unconfirmed rather than as permission, and call the County Judge's office to check before you assume a use is unrestricted¹².

How do septic permits work in Dallas County?

Every onsite wastewater system in Dallas County needs a construction and operation permit before installation, issued through the Arkansas Department of Health's Dallas County Local Health Unit⁴¹⁰. The installer must notify the health unit at least 24 hours before beginning work, and the system must be inspected and approved, with the owner obtaining a permit for operation, before it can be used — emergency repairs are the one exception, and even then a permit must follow within ten working days¹³. Soils make this more than paperwork in Dallas County: only about 2.5% of the county's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, among the toughest septic soils tracked for this guide, so budget for a site evaluation and likely an alternative system⁹. State rule sets minimum separation distances too — an onsite system must stay at least 10 feet from property lines and from any dwelling or building, at least 100 feet from a domestic water supply or a stream or lake's high-water mark, and at least 300 feet from a spring or water body used as a public water supply within a quarter mile¹⁴. If a sanitary sewer is available within 300 feet of the building and reachable without crossing another person's property, state rule requires connecting to it instead of installing an onsite system¹⁵.

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

This isn't confirmed by an official Dallas County source, and having no zoning office doesn't settle it — no county page addresses RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land². What is confirmed statewide is narrower and doesn't answer the private-land question: Arkansas requires plans for a proposed or remodeled mobile-home, tiny-house-on-wheels or RV park to be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before construction begins, but that rule governs commercial parks, not a single RV or tiny home on your own unincorporated land¹⁶. Before you plan to live in one full-time here, call the County Judge's office to ask directly¹².

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

Confirm your parcel is unincorporated. Fordyce and Dallas County's other towns may run their own building and zoning rules that don't show up in this guide, since city rules never apply outside their own limits².
Get a soil evaluation early. With only about 2.5% of the county's soils free of severe septic limitations, expect to need an engineered or alternative system design rather than a standard drain field⁹.
Apply for an onsite wastewater permit with the Dallas County Local Health Unit before construction begins, and have the installer notify the health unit at least 24 hours before work starts¹⁰⁴¹³.
Schedule the installation inspection and get your permit for operation before using the system¹³.
If your access is a state highway, apply for an Arkansas DOT driveway permit before starting any work in the right-of-way⁸.
Build. Because there's no county building department, there's no county building permit, inspection or certificate of occupancy to schedule for a single-family home outside a municipality¹. If you're building your own home yourself, Arkansas's residential-contractor licensing law exempts an owner constructing his or her own residence, as long as it's no more than one residence in a calendar year⁶.

What to check before you buy land in Dallas County

Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside a Dallas County town, since only the towns are likely to run their own permitting². Get a soil evaluation before you count on a conventional septic field: with only about 2.5% of the county's soils free of severe limitations, an alternative system is the likely outcome, and that costs more than a standard trench system⁹. If a sanitary sewer already runs near the lot, check the 300-foot rule, since state rule requires connecting to it instead of installing a new onsite system¹⁵. Ask about access: a driveway onto a state highway needs an Arkansas DOT permit before any work begins⁸. And budget for property tax: Dallas County's effective rate is about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $459 — among the lowest property-tax burdens tracked for this guide¹⁷¹⁸.

Watch-outs

No official Dallas County source confirms or denies a rule on RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, minimum lot size, setbacks or building height for unincorporated land — call the County Judge's office before you build or move onto a parcel².
Dallas County's soils are among the toughest tracked for septic: only about 2.5% are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so plan and budget for an alternative system before you commit to a site⁹.

Sources

Written September 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Dallas County scores

Seclusion84100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency62100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability60100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost84100% 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 →

$100kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$2,085Land / acre

55.8"Annual rain

10.6% of yrsSevere drought

26.8 / yr (+21.9)Mid-century 100°F days

18.1 daysMid-century dry spell

2.68" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.48×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,674Home insurance / yr

2.9% / yrInsurance growth

1.22%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

1,692People within 30 min

1,213,825People within 2 hr

8,766Radius comparison (15 mi)

9.3People / sq mi

0.1%Federal land

99.2%Land at 15% slope or less

2.5%Septic soil without severe limits

10,450 acWorkable land screen

92.6%Wooded land

46.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac

62.5°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Dallas County

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

Dallas County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
Arkansas counties may adopt zoning but Dallas County lists no planning or zoning office, indicating unincorporated areas are not county-zoned.
Arkansas.gov - Dallas County Offices ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
Residential building-contractor and home-improvement-contractor licensing for owner-builders in Dallas County and elsewhere in Arkansas.
- An owner acting as a residential building contractor for the owner's residence is exempt unless the owner builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
- An owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner's own home-improvement contractor on the owner's own property is exempt.
- A project costing no more than $2,000 is exempt, but the exemption does not apply when construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of less than $2,000.
- These are licensing exemptions and do not establish exemption from any applicable building code, permit, inspection, or other local requirement.
maximum residences built by owner as residential building contractor: <= 1 residence per calendar year (The exemption does not apply if the owner builds more than one residence during any calendar year.) · project cost for licensing exemption: <= 2000 USD (The exemption does not apply when the construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than $2,000.)
“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 [...]”
Home Improvement Application and Test Information ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.
  “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
State projects in Arkansas.
- The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
- Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
- All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
- The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
“The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Partial — State projects located in Dallas County and elsewhere 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 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 10, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
  “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
  2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
  “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Construction subject to Arkansas Building Code compliance and any applicable inspection regime.
- The official statewide source expressly recognizes areas where inspections are not required.
- Where an inspection is required, the applicable inspection authority and process are not specified by this statewide source.
“areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.
- Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
- The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
- A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
“An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
6 CAR § 31-425. Charter school facilities ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
  “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
  DBA Project Closeout Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
SetbacksSpecified
Onsite wastewater facilities serving residences and other premises in Dallas County and statewide Arkansas.
- The stated distances are minimum horizontal distances and greater distances may be required where local conditions demand.
- Waivers, except where public water supplies are involved, must be submitted to and approved by the Department; waivers affecting public water supplies must be submitted to and approved by Engineering.
distance from body of water high-water mark when within one quarter mile of a public water-supply intake: >= 300 feet · distance from spring used as public water supply: >= 300 feet · distance from domestic water supply: >= 100 feet · distance from stream or lake high-water mark: >= 100 feet · distance from pond on same property: >= 50 feet (If in the pond watershed; minimum separation from any pond may not be less than 50 feet.) · distance from pond on adjacent property: >= 100 feet (If in the pond watershed.) · distance from dwelling or building: >= 10 feet · distance from property lines: >= 10 feet · distance from water service line: >= 10 feet (See Arkansas Plumbing Code.) · distance from sinkhole: >= 100 feet
“[...] shall be at least 10 feet from all property lines.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
- The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
- Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Tiny homesLimited
Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.
- The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
- Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
- Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
- The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.
minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)
“three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Who permits septicState
Onsite wastewater systems in Dallas County, including construction, operation, inspection, and permitting.
- For cities or counties with authorized agents, the authorized agent acts for the Arkansas Department of Health.
- If no authorized agent has been designated, applications must be made to the Department.
“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.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of onsite wastewater systems serving domestic buildings or residences in Dallas County.
- A completed permit application and detailed plans must be approved before construction of a building or residence.
- Construction, installation, or modification requires construction and operation permits before work begins.
- Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification, but a permit must be obtained within ten working days.
- A permit may be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible.
- The rule states that a plan-review fee is levied for each permit; the cited section does not provide the amount.
sewer-distance threshold: 300 feet (If sewer is available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property, onsite systems are not allowed.)
“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.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Dallas County.
- The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
- The owner must obtain a permit for operation after inspection approval.
- The installer must notify the authorized agent at least twenty-four hours before beginning work, except emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification if a permit is obtained within ten working days.
advance inspection/work notification: 24 hours (Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification if a permit is obtained within ten working days.)
“It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, municipality, or governmental agency to begin operation of any onsite wastewater system until: Such system has been inspected and approved by the department or its authorized agent; and The owner has first obtained a permit for operation issued by the department or its authorized agent.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.
- Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
- The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
- Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
- Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
- The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
“Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Use of composting or incinerating toilets as part of an onsite wastewater system in Dallas County.
  “Only premanufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department of Health shall be utilized in the onsite wastewater system.”
  14 CAR § 21-807. Composting/incinerating toilets ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 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)
Premises in Dallas County where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet of the building exit and available without crossing another person's property.
- The sewer must be available to the premises.
- Connection must be possible without crossing another person's property.
- No privies, onsite wastewater systems, or other receptacles for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.
- Plumbing must comply with the Arkansas Plumbing Code.
sewer-distance threshold: <= 300 feet (Measured from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner'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 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
  “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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 plans in Dallas County and statewide Arkansas when all or part of the subdivision will use standard onsite wastewater systems.
- All subdivision plans proposed to use standard onsite wastewater systems for all or part of the lots or tracts must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health for review and approval of the overall onsite-wastewater plan.
- Lots or parcels unsuitable for standard onsite systems must be incorporated into surrounding lots or parcels.
- Submission is made to the local health unit and must include soil-pit data, percolation tests if applicable, test locations, topography, and other information required for review.
- The plan-review fee is a minimum of $100 for one lot and $25 for each following lot, capped at $1,500.
- All subdivision plans must include the listed vicinity map and legal description, lot/street/easement/topographical/flood-level layout, primary and secondary absorption-area markers, contour lines, well locations where applicable, relevant site features, three-bedroom design unless otherwise indicated, public-water engineering plans where applicable, recipient addresses, three copies, and FEMA flood-zone determination.
minimum plan-review fee for one lot: >= 100 USD · plan-review fee for each following lot: per 25 USD · maximum plan-review fee: <= 1500 USD
“All subdivision plans [...] shall be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
  “Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
  15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Development by an Arkansas state department within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
  “When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
  22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 10, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
- The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
- For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
- Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.
basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition
“$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Tiny houses on wheels when a mobile home, tiny house on wheels, or recreational vehicle park is proposed or remodeled in Arkansas, including Dallas County.
  “When a mobile home, tiny house on wheels, or recreational vehicle park is proposed or remodeled, properly prepared plans and specifications for such construction, remodeling, or alteration shall be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before any work is begun.”
  20 CAR § 138-110. Plan review ↗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 Dallas County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas; this aggregate status does not assign municipal ordinances to the county.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Dallas County, Arkansas, including unincorporated areas.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residences in unincorporated Dallas County, Arkansas.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for residential development in unincorporated Dallas County, Arkansas.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage for development in unincorporated Dallas County, Arkansas.

4 more unanswered

Building height
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 Dallas County, Arkansas

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

Dallas County scores 83/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 1,692 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Dallas County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

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

Land in Dallas County runs about $2,085 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Dallas County?

Dallas County gets about 55.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.6% of years.

How remote is Dallas County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,692 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,213,825 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 Dallas County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who do you call about building and land questions in Dallas County?

Does Dallas County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Dallas County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Dallas County

Watch-outs

Sources

Dallas County in Arkansas

How Dallas County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Dallas County

Dallas County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Dallas County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Dallas County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Dallas County?

How remote is Dallas County?

How Dallas compares in Arkansas