Desha County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Desha County, Arkansas appears not to require a county building permit, but we could not confirm that answer in an explicit county statement, so verify your project with the County Judge's office before building.¹² Arkansas building-code standards still apply statewide even where permits or inspections are not required.³⁴ Septic applications go through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent.⁵⁶

At a glance

Building permit: Appears not to be required in unincorporated areas, but confirm with the County Judge's office¹
Building code: Arkansas Fire Prevention Code standards apply statewide even where no local permit is required³⁴
Zoning: Countywide zoning could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's office about the parcel⁷²
Septic: Apply through the Arkansas Department of Health or a designated local authorized agent⁵⁶
Owner-builder: State contractor licensing allows an owner to build the owner's own residence, subject to the annual limit⁸
RV or tiny home: Private-parcel occupancy could not be confirmed; state health rules separately regulate qualifying paid parks⁹¹⁰
Private well: A general domestic-well permit rule could not be confirmed; public and semi-public wells need state approval¹¹

Who to call

Also useful

Desha County Judge's Office

County administrative contact for questions about unincorporated-area permits, zoning, roads and floodplain administration that are not answered on a published county page

870-877-2426

Robert S. Moore Street, Arkansas City, AR 71630

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Desha County LHU/Dumas

Local health-unit contact; ask for the onsite environmental specialist for septic applications and records

(870) 382-2377

751 Hwy 65 South, Dumas, AR 71639

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Desha County LHU/McGehee

Local health-unit contact; ask for the onsite environmental specialist for septic applications and records

(870) 222-3910

200 East Ash, McGehee, AR 71654

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program

State onsite-wastewater guidance, applications and septic records through county health-unit environmental specialists

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 Desha County, Arkansas?

A residential building permit appears not to be required in unincorporated Desha County, but we could not confirm that answer in an explicit official county permit statement.¹ Call the Desha County Judge's office at 870-877-2426 before construction to confirm whether your particular project needs county review, an inspection or a certificate of occupancy.² The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide, and state guidance expressly recognizes that its requirements can apply in places where no permit or inspections are required.¹²⁴¹³ In practical terms, the apparent absence of a county permit does not remove the duty to build to the applicable Arkansas code.³ An incorporated city may run its own permit program, so the answer for property inside city limits may differ from the answer for unincorporated Desha County.¹

Who handles building questions in Desha County, and how do you reach them?

No separate Desha County building, planning or permit office was confirmed, so begin with the Desha County Judge's office at Robert S. Moore Street, Arkansas City, AR 71630, or call 870-877-2426.² Ask the office to identify the authority for building permits, inspections, floodplain development and county-road access for the exact parcel.² For septic questions, the Arkansas Department of Health directs applicants to call the health unit in the county where the land lies and ask for the onsite environmental specialist.¹⁴ Desha County has health-unit contacts in Dumas at 751 Hwy 65 South, (870) 382-2377, and McGehee at 200 East Ash, (870) 222-3910.¹⁵¹⁶ These contacts are the clearest starting points because the county has not published a permit process or fee schedule that could be confirmed.²

Does Desha County have zoning?

Countywide zoning in unincorporated Desha County could not be confirmed from an official county ordinance or an explicit no-zoning statement.⁷ The same gap applies to county setbacks, minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, lot coverage and building-height limits, so do not treat the lack of a published ordinance as proof that no parcel restriction exists.⁷ Ask the Desha County Judge's office whether a county rule, floodplain condition, subdivision restriction or road requirement applies to the parcel before choosing a house site.² Properties inside an incorporated municipality can be governed by that city's rules rather than the county's unincorporated-area practice.⁷ Private deed restrictions and easements also need a title review; the county zoning question alone does not resolve them. For a subdivision plat that creates Arkansas parcels, state rules require filing with the State Surveyor after any city or county recording requirements are satisfied.¹⁷

How do septic permits work in Desha County?

Onsite wastewater systems in Desha County are administered under Arkansas Department of Health rules through the Department or a designated authorized agent.⁵⁶ Call a Desha County health unit and ask for the onsite environmental specialist to begin an application or retrieve an existing septic record.¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶ Arkansas health guidance says septic suitability has no fixed minimum lot size; the needed space depends on soil suitability, bedroom count and the setback from water wells.¹⁴ Only about 7% of Desha County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so a soil evaluation can materially affect the house site and system budget.¹⁸ A single residence on ten or more acres can be exempt from obtaining the permit when every part of the sewage system is more than 200 feet from every property line, including roads.¹⁴ If sanitary sewer is available within 300 feet under the state's stated access conditions, connection is required instead of an onsite system.¹⁹

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

Long-term RV living or tiny-home occupancy on a single private parcel in unincorporated Desha County could not be confirmed from an official county land-use rule.⁷ Ask the Desha County Judge's office about the parcel before buying or moving a unit onto the land, and ask the onsite environmental specialist how wastewater must be handled.²¹⁴ Arkansas separately regulates a parcel as a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee.⁹ Under those park rules, 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 not.²⁰ Those park provisions do not answer whether one RV or tiny home may be occupied on a private Desha County parcel.¹⁰

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

Confirm that the parcel is outside city limits, then call the Desha County Judge's office to ask about building permits, inspections, zoning, floodplain review and county-road access.²
Call a Desha County health unit and ask for the onsite environmental specialist before fixing the house location.¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶
Get the soil and proposed drain-field area evaluated early because only about 7% of county soils lack severe conventional drain-field limitations.¹⁸
Confirm whether public sewer must be used under the state's 300-foot connection rule.¹⁹
Design the structure to the statewide Arkansas Fire Prevention Code even if the county confirms that no permit or inspection applies.³⁴
Obtain an Arkansas Department of Transportation access permit before doing driveway work on state-highway right-of-way.²¹
If acting as your own contractor, use the state owner-builder licensing exemption only within its limit of one own residence per calendar year.⁸

What to check before you buy land in Desha County

Start with wastewater and drainage: only about 7% of Desha County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, and annual precipitation is about 53.9 inches.¹⁸²² Ask the onsite environmental specialist whether the proposed house and replacement drain-field areas are workable before closing.¹⁴ Confirm floodplain status and the applicable local administrator with the Desha County Judge's office because a county-specific private-development permit rule could not be confirmed.² Verify legal access, and remember that a driveway connecting to a state highway needs a state access permit before right-of-way work begins.²¹ A general permit rule for private domestic wells could not be confirmed, although public and semi-public wells require written Arkansas Department of Health approval before construction.¹¹ Desha County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual property-tax bill of about $517.²³²⁴

Watch-outs

We could not confirm the apparent building-permit answer in an explicit official Desha County statement; ask the County Judge's office before starting work.¹²
County zoning, private-land RV occupancy, setbacks, minimum dwelling size and a private-development floodplain process could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's office about the specific parcel.⁷²
Conventional septic conditions are challenging because only about 7% of Desha County soils are rated without severe drain-field limitations.¹⁸

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 Desha County scores

Seclusion83100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency55100% ev.

Admin Boringness7177% ev.

Durability60100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$93kTypical home

0.6%Property tax

$4,113Land / acre

53.9"Annual rain

10.3% of yrsSevere drought

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

18.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.65" (+4.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.56×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,731Home insurance / yr

-3.2% / yrInsurance growth

0.46%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

268,035People within 2 hr

9,270Radius comparison (15 mi)

14.1People / sq mi

8.1%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

7%Septic soil without severe limits

29,074 acWorkable land screen

33.4%Wooded land

51 tonsBiomass / forest ac

63.2°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Desha County

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

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.
- A person constructing the person’s own residence is exempt unless the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
- An owner of a single-family residence may act as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s own property.
- The exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not by itself eliminate applicable building-code, permit, inspection, zoning, or other requirements.
maximum own residences constructed per calendar year before the stated exemption no longer applies: <= 1 residence (The statute states the exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.)
“construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
State projects in Arkansas.
- The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
- Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
- All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
- The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
“The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — Building and residential code standards applicable statewide in Arkansas, including Desha County.
  “The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide and is the fire and building code for all jurisdictions within Arkansas.”
  2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code summary ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 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
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 septicMixed
Onsite wastewater systems in Desha County, administered under Arkansas Department of Health rules through the Department or its Authorized Agent.
- For a city or county with an Authorized Agent, that agent acts as the Department's Authorized Agent.
- If no Authorized Agent has been designated, applications are made to the Department.
“applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the Department.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.
- Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
- The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
- Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
- Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
- The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
“Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Well permitLimited
Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
- Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
- If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
- This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
“Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
- When the stated distance and availability conditions are met, connection to the sanitary sewer is required.
- Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises under that condition.
sewer distance from building sewer-exit point: <= 300 feet (sewer must be available without crossing another person's property)
“All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.

County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning authority and ordinance coverage in Desha County.
Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning coverage across Desha County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts or zoning maps for Desha County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Desha County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size under county land-use rules in unincorporated Desha County.

7 more unanswered

Setbacks
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 Desha County, Arkansas

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

Desha County scores 77/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 9,270 people within 15 miles.

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

Desha County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. 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 Desha County?

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

Land in Desha County runs about $4,113 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Desha County?

Desha County gets about 53.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.3% of years.

How remote is Desha County?

A typical private-land location has about 9,270 people within 15 miles and 1,713,934 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles building questions in Desha County, and how do you reach them?

Does Desha County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Desha County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Desha County

Watch-outs

Sources

Desha County in Arkansas

How Desha County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Desha County

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Desha County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Desha County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Desha County?

How remote is Desha County?

How Desha compares in Arkansas