Bolthole Index

Hempstead County, Arkansas

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

80Index Score / 100
#8 of 75 in Arkansas

Unincorporated Hempstead County, Arkansas appears not to require a building permit, but we could not confirm that conclusion in a county ordinance or official page, so ask the County Judge's office before building1. The City of Hope is different: it issues permits for residential and commercial construction, additions, remodels and mobile homes2. Septic approval runs through the Arkansas Department of Health and the local Environmental Health Specialist3.

At a glance

Building permit
Listed as not required for unincorporated land, but confirm with the County Judge because no county rule was located1
City of Hope permits
Required for residential and commercial new construction, additions, remodels and mobile homes2
Zoning
No countywide zoning was identified, but confirm the parcel with the County Judge's office; Hope has municipal zoning45
Septic permits
Arkansas Department of Health Onsite Wastewater program through the local health unit3
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption for an owner building one personal residence in a calendar year; not a permit exemption6
RV / tiny home living
Private-land occupancy remains unconfirmed; fee-based parks with three or more spaces face state health rules78
Septic soil difficulty
Only 5.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field9
Subdivision septic lots
Drip-dispersal designs may allow lots of at least 0.5 acre when the state criteria are met10

Who to call

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Environmental Health)

Statewide onsite-wastewater policy and permit-application review in cooperation with the Environmental Health Specialist in each county health department

501-661-2171

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

Building permits

City of Hope Building Services/Code Enforcement

Building permits, inspections, code enforcement, and planning and zoning inside the City of Hope

870-722-2505

1603 W. 3rd St Hope, AR 71802

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 Hempstead County, Arkansas?

A building permit appears not to be required in unincorporated Hempstead County, but we could not confirm that answer in a county ordinance or direct official statement1. Before ordering plans or materials, give the Hempstead County Judge's office the parcel location and ask whether any county building, floodplain or road approval applies. Arkansas's Fire Prevention Code is the statewide fire and building code, even though that statewide standard does not itself prove that Hempstead County issues a local permit11.

Inside the City of Hope, the answer is clearer: building permits cover residential and commercial new construction, additions, remodels and mobile homes2. Hope Building Services also performs building inspections for construction activity and development12. An owner building a personal residence may qualify for the state residential-builder licensing exemption if the owner does not build more than one residence during a calendar year, but that licensing exemption does not waive permits, inspections, codes or septic approval6.

Who issues permits in Hempstead County, Arkansas?

No county building department or county development-permit process could be confirmed for unincorporated Hempstead County1. Start with the Hempstead County Judge's office for an unincorporated parcel and ask specifically about building, floodplain and county-road access requirements. For a parcel inside Hope, City of Hope Building Services handles building permits, inspections, code enforcement, and planning and zoning; its office is at Public Works on West Third Street13.

Septic is separate from building approval. The Arkansas Department of Health Onsite Wastewater Program sets statewide policy and works with Environmental Health Specialists in county health departments to review onsite-wastewater applications14. A driveway on an Arkansas state highway requires an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit before work begins on the highway right-of-way15. No general Hempstead County driveway-permit rule was confirmed, so ask the County Judge's office about access from a county road.

Does Hempstead County have zoning?

Hempstead County appears to have no countywide zoning, but the county's official materials do not expressly confirm that unincorporated land is unzoned4. That gap matters: do not assume a parcel has no setbacks, minimum dwelling size, height limit or use restriction until the Hempstead County Judge's office answers for the parcel. No general county minimum-lot-size rule was confirmed either; the acreage rules in the onsite-wastewater material govern septic suitability for subdivisions, not general zoning10.

The City of Hope has municipal zoning within its corporate limits and provides a zoning map and amendment process5. Hope Building Services administers the city's planning and zoning functions13. Arkansas also applies a narrow electrical-licensing exemption to construction and electrical work on a nonresidential farm building or structure, but that exemption does not erase building, fire, septic, zoning or other requirements that otherwise apply16.

How do septic permits work in Hempstead County?

Hempstead County septic applications run through the Arkansas Department of Health Onsite Wastewater program and the local county health unit's Environmental Health Specialist3. A construction permit is required before an onsite system is built, altered, repaired or extended, and an operation permit follows inspection and approval before the system is used17. The application fee is calculated from the chart on the state's EHP-19 form rather than a single flat amount stated in the rule18.

Only 5.1% of Hempstead County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the soil and site evaluation an early contingency in any purchase contract9. Where both a private well and septic system are proposed, the well must be at least 50 feet from a lot line and 100 feet from the onsite wastewater system19. A property must use an available sanitary sewer within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit when the connection does not cross another person's property20.

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

We could not confirm a Hempstead County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy on an ordinary private parcel outside a regulated park. Ask the Hempstead County Judge's office about unincorporated land, or Hope Building Services when the parcel is inside Hope. A lack of a published county rule is not permission to occupy a unit, especially where septic, floodplain or utility approvals may still apply.

Arkansas clearly regulates the park business model: a parcel with three or more spaces for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee, is treated as a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park7. Under those park rules, a tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the state plumbing code and as an RV when it is not8. Those park provisions do not answer whether one owner may live in one RV or tiny home on private land.

How do you build a home in Hempstead County?

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside Hope or another municipality, because Hope issues construction permits and administers municipal zoning25.
  1. For unincorporated land, ask the Hempstead County Judge's office whether building, floodplain or county-road approval applies; a county permit process could not be confirmed1.
  1. Arrange the septic site evaluation before fixing the house location because only 5.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field9.
  1. Submit the onsite-wastewater application and obtain the construction permit before septic work begins17.
  1. Obtain an Arkansas Department of Transportation access permit before building a driveway on state-highway right-of-way15.
  1. If acting as your own contractor, document the state licensing exemption but do not treat it as an exemption from codes or other approvals6.
  1. Have the septic system inspected and obtain its operation permit before use17.

What should you check before buying land in Hempstead County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: only 5.1% of Hempstead County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field9. For a subdivision using onsite wastewater, the local health unit must receive the submission, and construction cannot begin on a lot until the Department of Health gives final approval21. Lots using an approved drip-dispersal design for minimum lot size must be at least 0.5 acre and meet the rule's other criteria10.

Verify legal access and identify whether the frontage is a county road or state highway, because state-highway driveways require an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit15. Confirm city limits before relying on the rural permit picture, since Hope has its own building and zoning administration13. Hempstead County is 64.7% wooded, so inspect clearing needs and timber access22. Typical effective property tax is about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $503, but obtain a parcel-specific estimate from the assessor and collector2324.

Watch-outs

  • A building permit appears not to be required in unincorporated Hempstead County, but no official county rule confirms the permit, inspection or certificate-of-occupancy answer; ask the County Judge's office before building1.
  • Hope's building permits and zoning are municipal rules and do not establish the rules for unincorporated Hempstead County25.
  • Arkansas RV-park and tiny-house-on-wheels rules do not settle whether one person may occupy one unit on an ordinary private parcel78.

Sources

  1. Hempstead County, Arkansas (official county site) (2026 county census)
  2. Building Applications and Forms, quoted and re-checked
  3. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (2026 county census)
  4. Hempstead County, Arkansas (official county site) (2026 county census)
  5. Ordinance No. 1307, quoted and re-checked
  6. Home Improvement Specialty New Application, quoted and re-checked
  7. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  8. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  9. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  10. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  11. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Services/Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  13. City of Hope Building Services/Code Enforcement (hopear.gov)
  14. Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Environmental Health) (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  15. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. 17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions, quoted and re-checked
  17. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  18. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  19. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  20. 14 CAR § 21-301. Generally (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  22. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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County locator

Hempstead County in Arkansas

80
County map
Hempstead County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Hempstead County scores

Seclusion71100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency68100% ev.
Admin Boringness85100% ev.
Durability55100% 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 →

$127kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,902Land / acre
54.1"Annual rain
12.5% of yrsSevere drought
24.5 / yr (+19.3)Mid-century 100°F days
18.3 daysMid-century dry spell
2.65" (+3.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.44×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,059Home insurance / yr
2.6% / yrInsurance growth
0.99%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
17,855People within 30 min
1,125,044People within 2 hr
21,568Radius comparison (15 mi)
26.6People / sq mi
1.6%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
5.1%Septic soil without severe limits
22,074 acWorkable land screen
64.7%Wooded land
47.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
62.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Hempstead County

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

Hempstead County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Hempstead County has no comprehensive county-wide zoning ordinance or county planning/zoning department; land-use regulation exists only within municipalities like Hope.

    Hempstead County, Arkansas (official county site) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • Who permits septicArkansas Department of Health (Onsite Wastewater Program, via county health unit)

    Onsite wastewater/septic systems are permitted under the Arkansas Department of Health's statewide program, administered through the county health unit's Environmental Health Specialist.

    Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater ↗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.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    State residential-builder and home-improvement contractor licensing requirements for owners acting as contractors on their own residence or property in Arkansas, including Hempstead County.

    • The exemption concerns residential-builder and home-improvement contractor licensing, not a county building permit or inspection requirement.
    • An owner acting as the contractor in construction of the owner's residence is exempt unless the owner builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • An owner acting as the owner's own home-improvement contractor on the owner's own property is exempt.
    • The source also lists exemptions for subcontractors working for properly licensed contractors and contractors licensed by other licensing agencies or boards when working within the scope of that license.

    residences built by owner during calendar year: <= 1 residence (The source states the owner is exempt unless he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year.)

    “The following are exemptions to the residential builder and home improvement licensing requirements: (1) owners are exempt from licensure when acting as the contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year (2) owners acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Arkansas residential builder and home-improvement contractor licensing requirements, including work performed in Hempstead County.
      “owners are exempt from licensure [...] unless he or she builds more than one residence [...] (2) owners acting as his or her own home improvement contractor”
    • 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;”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building-code requirements applicable statewide, including Hempstead County.

    • The official 2022 rulemaking summary states that the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide and is the fire and building code for all Arkansas jurisdictions.
    • The same source states that the code includes three volumes: Fire Code, Building Code, and Residential Code, with Arkansas amendments.
    • The source states that the then-current code was the 2012 edition and that the International Codes were amended and adopted effective January 1, 2014.
    • Local jurisdictions may have additional or more stringent rules where authorized; no current Hempstead County adoption ordinance was located.

    effective date stated by source: 2014-01-01 (The source describes the effective date of the International Code amendments and adoption by Arkansas State Police.) · code edition described by source: 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (The source was a 2022 rulemaking summary and may not identify the current 2026 edition.)

    “The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide and is the fire and building code for all jurisdictions within Arkansas.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building-code requirements applicable statewide in Arkansas, including Hempstead County; this establishes the state code framework but does not establish a Hempstead County building-permit office or county inspection program.
      “The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide and is the fire and building code for all jurisdictions within Arkansas.”
    • 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.”
    • Partial — 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.”
    • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
    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.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Subdivision lots proposed for development using Arkansas onsite-wastewater systems.

    • Primary and secondary absorption areas must be sized according to natural soil conditions and Table 1 loading rates.
    • For lots less than three acres, specified seasonal-water-table soil depths apply.
    • Lots less than three acres requiring interceptor drains must include a complete permit submittal.
    • Drip dispersal may be used only when the listed bedrock-depth, flagged-absorption-area, and legal-description criteria are met.
    • Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size must be at least 0.5 acre.
    • Submission must be made to the local health unit.
    • Construction may not begin until final approval by the Department of Health.

    minimum lot size for drip dispersal design: >= 0.5 acre (Only when the criteria in 14 CAR § 21-405(a)(6)(A) are met.) · minimum undisturbed soil depth to brief seasonal water table on lots under 3 acres: >= 13 inches · minimum undisturbed soil depth to adjusted moderate seasonal water table on lots under 3 acres: >= 18 inches · minimum undisturbed soil depth to adjusted long seasonal water table on lots under 3 acres: >= 24 inches

    “Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be five-tenths (0.5) of an acre or larger.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Lots proposed for residential subdivision development using onsite wastewater systems in Arkansas, including Hempstead County
      “Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be five-tenths (0.5) of an acre or larger.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Onsite wastewater systems and individual water wells proposed for lots in Arkansas, including Hempstead County

    • The quoted setback applies when an individual water-well supply and an onsite wastewater system are proposed.
    • Both primary and secondary onsite wastewater systems must also conform to all setback requirements in Section 6.2.
    • The lot must be sized to accommodate the stated well and wastewater-system separation requirements.

    well setback from lot line: >= 50 feet (individual water-well supply with onsite wastewater system) · well setback from onsite wastewater systems: >= 100 feet (from any part of the system on the same lot and systems on adjacent lots)

    “Fifty feet (50’) from any lot line; and One hundred feet (100’) from any part of the onsite wastewater system proposed on the same lot”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    A parcel in Arkansas, including Hempstead County, with three or more recreational-vehicle spaces occupied or intended for occupancy where placement or maintenance services are 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 and approval is at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park may not begin until Department of Health approval is received.
    • Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, all buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
    • This state rule does not resolve long-term occupancy of a single RV or privately occupied RV spaces without placement or maintenance services for a fee.

    RV spaces: >= 3 spaces (Applies where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee; whether new or existing.) · Department of Health plan approval: required before work begins (Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile home or recreational vehicle park.)

    “(a) 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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in Hempstead County.
      “(a) 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.”
    • Limited — Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
      “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.”
  • 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”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Tiny houses on wheels used as habitable dwellings in Arkansas fee-based mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in Hempstead County.
      “(17) “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;”
    • 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;”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement of manufactured homes on individually owned lots within Arkansas municipalities that have zoning ordinances, including applicable municipalities in Hempstead County.

    • The municipality must have a zoning ordinance.
    • The municipality must allow placement in at least one or more residential districts or zones.
    • Municipalities may impose reasonable conditions including perimeter foundation enclosures, utility connections, building setbacks, side or rear yard offsets, off-street parking, carports, garages, outbuildings, entries, exits, porches, decks, stairs, and conditions applicable to other single-family dwellings in the same district or zone.
    • The Act does not supersede valid covenants or bills of assurance.
    • The Act does not require manufactured homes to be permitted in historic districts.
    “Municipalities that have zoning ordinances shall allow the placement of manufactured homes on individually-owned lots in at least one (1) or more residential districts or zones within the municipality.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Withdrawal from an existing well or construction of a new well within a designated critical groundwater area after the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission issues an order implementing regulation
      “After an order by the commission implementing regulation”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available — State electrical-licensing and Electrical Code Authority Act requirements for construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure.
      “(a) The licensing requirements of Arkansas Code § 17-28-101 et seq. shall not apply to the following: [...] (4) The construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
    • Available (with conditions) — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, including Hempstead County.
      “The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act [...] shall not apply to the following: [...] Any construction [...] of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
    • 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;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development in Arkansas when onsite-wastewater systems will be used, including unincorporated Hempstead County.

    • Subdivision submissions must be made to the local health unit using an approved review method.
    • Soil mapping, where used, must be submitted by a professional soil classifier and a high-intensity map is required for standard onsite-wastewater design.
    • Construction of any type may not begin on any lot until the Department of Health gives final approval of the onsite-wastewater submission.
    • The rule concerns onsite-wastewater approval and does not establish that Hempstead County has a general subdivision-plat ordinance.

    maximum soil-map grid: <= 100 feet · maximum distance from property line to outside perimeter grid line: <= 50 feet

    “Submission shall be made to the local health unit utilizing one (1) of the following approved methods. [...] Construction of any type shall not begin upon any lot in the subdivision until final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems within the subdivision has been made by the Department of Health.”
    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 [...]”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development proposed by an Arkansas state department within a mapped hundred-year floodplain or 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.”
  • 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%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Arkansas onsite wastewater system permit applications, including applications for property in Hempstead County.
      “The Designated Representative submits a completed Individual Onsite Wastewater System Permit Application (EHP-19) along with detailed plans, product specifications, and required fees. [...] The fee amount is calculated from the chart in the upper right corner of the EHP-19 and marked with a check in the appropriate box.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction, installation, modification, and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Hempstead County and elsewhere in Arkansas.

    • A valid Permit for Construction must be obtained before construction, alteration, repair, or extension of an onsite wastewater system.
    • A Permit for Operation must be obtained before operation, after inspection and approval by the Department or its Authorized Agent.
    • The installer must notify the Authorized Agent at least 24 hours before beginning work.
    • Emergency repairs may begin without prior notification, but a permit must be obtained within ten working days.
    • Where a city or county has an Authorized Agent, that agent administers the process; otherwise applications are made to the Department.

    installer advance notice: >= 24 hours (Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification if a permit is obtained within ten working days.) · emergency repair permit deadline: 10 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. [...] Emergency repairs may be undertaken without prior notification to the Authorized Agent provided a permit is obtained within ten working days.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Arkansas state department development projects located within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area.
      “the department shall submit an application for a development permit”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Temporary camping or transient dwelling in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in Hempstead County.
      “(8) “Recreational vehicle park” means a parcel of land, for which plans have been approved by the Department of Health, where three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles for transient dwelling purposes, typically by night or week, commonly associated with travel to, at, or near an attraction;”

Inside cities and towns in Hempstead County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building permitLimited

    Commercial and residential construction, additions, remodels, and mobile homes within the City of Hope.

    • This claim is limited to the City of Hope and does not establish a rule for unincorporated Hempstead County or other municipalities.
    “Use this link to fill out and apply online for building permits (new construction, additions, remodels, and mobile homes) for commercial and residential projects.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction subject to the City of Hope building-services and code-enforcement jurisdiction.

    • The City of Hope page identifies the adopted codes but does not state permit fees, effective dates, or the full applicability and enforcement exceptions.
    • The listed codes include the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volumes 1, 2, and 3; 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code; 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; 2021 Arkansas Mechanical Code; 2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction; and 2020 National Electric Code.
    “Current Codes adopted by the City of Hope 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Volume 1 - Fire Volume 2 - Building Volume 3 - Residential 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code 2021 Arkansas Mechanical Code 2014 Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction 2020 National Electric Code”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction activity and development within the City of Hope.

    • This claim is limited to the City of Hope and does not establish an inspection rule for unincorporated Hempstead County or other municipalities.
    “Building Services handles all building permitting and inspections for construction activity and development.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land-use zoning within the corporate limits of the City of Hope, Arkansas, in Hempstead County.

    • The City of Hope Land Development Code applies within the city; the cited ordinance establishes an R-5 residential use district.
    • Uses permitted on review require Planning Commission review.
    • The ordinance states that it was adopted December 2, 1981 and was supplemented by Ordinance No. 1307, passed and approved April 21, 1998.

    maximum multifamily units per detached structure: <= 8 units (More than 8 units is permitted on review by the Planning Commission.) · minimum one-family lot area: >= 6000 square feet · maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (Two-and-one-half stories maximum.)

    “That the Land Development Code for the City of Hope, Arkansas, adopted December 2, 1981, by Ordinance No. 1032, be supplemented”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning and related land-use approvals within the City of Hope, Arkansas, in Hempstead County.
      “Zoning District Descriptions C-1 Commercial District Zone C-2 Commercial District Zone C-3 Commercial District Zone C-4 Commercial District Zone I-1 Heavy Industrial District Zone I-2 Light Industrial District Zone R-1 Residential Use District Zone R-2 Residential Use District Zone R-3 Residential Use District Zone R-4 Residential Use District Zone R-5 Residential Use District Zone”
    • Present (with conditions) — Land-use zoning within the City of Hope, Arkansas, in Hempstead County.
      “WHEREAS, the City of Hope, Arkansas previously adopted by Ordinance No. 1032 a Land Development Code for the City of Hope; and WHEREAS, as part of the Land Development Code adopted by the City of Hope, Article 7-1 paragraph A establishes the Board of Zoning Adjustments consisting of 3 members of the Planning and Zoning Commission;”
    • Present (with conditions) — Land development and zoning within the City of Hope, Arkansas, including its corporate limits.
      “RESIDENTIAL USE DISTRICT (R-5) [...] B. Uses permitted on review by the Planning Commission:”
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning and zoning-map amendments within the City of Hope, Hempstead County, Arkansas.
      “The petition was approved by the Hope Planning & Zoning Commission at their meeting on December 17, 2018 by unanimous vote.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential Use District R-5 within the corporate limits of the City of Hope, Arkansas, in Hempstead County.

    • The cited standards apply to the City of Hope's R-5 Residential Use District.
    • One-family lots require a minimum of 6,000 square feet for the first unit.
    • Two-family lots require a minimum of 7,500 square feet.
    • For multi-family dwellings, the ordinance requires 1,500 square feet of unobstructed open space for each dwelling unit.
    • The ordinance separately states mobile-home lot requirements, including a minimum lot width of 50 feet.

    one-family minimum lot area: >= 6000 square feet (for first unit) · two-family minimum lot area: >= 7500 square feet · multi-family unobstructed open space: per 1500 square feet per dwelling unit · mobile-home minimum lot width: >= 50 feet

    “One-family: Minimum 6,000 square feet for first unit.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures in the City of Hope's R-5 Residential Use District, Hempstead County, Arkansas.

    • The maximum is two-and-one-half stories and no more than 35 feet overall height.
    • Places of public assembly have a separate maximum of two stories and 35 feet for the portion used for assembly or offices.
    • The cited ordinance was passed and approved April 21, 1998.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet overall height (maximum two-and-one-half stories) · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories · public assembly maximum height: <= 35 feet (maximum two stories for the portion used for assembly or offices)

    “Maximum height of a structure shall be two— and-one—half stories, not to exceed 35 feet in overall height.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Hempstead County, especially unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential dwellings in unincorporated Hempstead County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Hempstead County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Hempstead County outside a state-regulated fee-based campground or recreational-vehicle park.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units on private land in Hempstead County, including unincorporated areas.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Hempstead County, Arkansas

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

Hempstead County scores 80/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Hempstead County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health (Onsite Wastewater Program, via county health unit). 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 Hempstead County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Hempstead County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. A parcel in Arkansas, including Hempstead County, with three or more recreational-vehicle spaces occupied or intended for occupancy where placement or maintenance services are 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. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Hempstead County, Arkansas?

Land in Hempstead County runs about $2,902 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hempstead County?

Hempstead County gets about 54.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.5% of years.

How remote is Hempstead County?

A representative private-land location has about 17,855 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,125,044 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Hempstead County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Hempstead compares in Arkansas

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