Lee County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Lee County, Arkansas appears not to require a county residential building permit, but the county does not publish an explicit permit statement, so confirm with the County Judge's office before building¹². County zoning likewise appears absent but could not be confirmed from an ordinance³. Septic construction generally requires state approval and an operating permit after inspection⁴⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Appears not required in unincorporated areas; confirm with the County Judge's office¹²
Zoning: County zoning appears absent, but no explicit county ordinance statement was confirmed³
Septic: State-regulated permit and inspection process⁶⁴⁵
Septic permit exemption: A single residence on a qualifying large tract may be exempt when every system part is over 200 feet from each property line⁷
Owner-builder: State contractor-license exemption for your own residence, limited to 1 residence per calendar year⁸
RV or tiny home: Private-parcel occupancy was not confirmed; state park rules apply to 3 or more paid spaces⁹¹⁰
Setbacks and minimum home size: No rule was confirmed for unincorporated land; ask the County Judge's office³²

Who to call

Also useful

Lee County Judge's Office

First local contact for questions about county building permits, land-use rules, roads and the appropriate floodplain contact

(870) 295-7700

15 E Chestnut St, Marianna, AR 72360

Also useful

Lee County Office of Emergency Management

County emergency management and a starting point for flood-hazard questions; the page does not identify this office as the floodplain permit issuer

(870) 295-7700

15 E Chestnut St, Marianna, AR 72360

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite-wastewater permitting; applicants start with the health unit serving the property

1-800-462-0599

4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867

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 Lee County, Arkansas?

Unincorporated Lee County appears not to require a county residential building permit, although no explicit county statement confirms the requirement or exemption¹. Before ordering materials or hiring a crew, ask the Lee County Judge's office whether your parcel needs a construction permit, inspection or certificate of occupancy². Arkansas lists the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including building and residential codes, as the statewide code framework; that standard does not by itself prove that Lee County runs a local permit program¹¹¹². An owner building a personal residence may qualify for the state residential-contractor licensing exemption if the owner builds no more than 1 residence during the calendar year, but that licensing exemption does not waive any permit or inspection the county may require⁸.

Who handles building permits in Lee County, Arkansas?

Lee County does not publish a dedicated building-department contact, so the practical first call is the Lee County Judge's Office at 15 E Chestnut St, Marianna, AR 72360, (870) 295-7700². Ask that office who decides residential permit, inspection, occupancy, driveway and floodplain questions for the exact parcel; none of those local processes was confirmed on a county page². Lee County's Office of Emergency Management uses the same courthouse address and phone and coordinates disaster alerting, but its page does not say that it issues floodplain-development permits¹³. Septic work is separate: the Arkansas Department of Health directs applicants to call the health unit serving the property's county and ask for the onsite environmental specialist⁷.

Does Lee County, Arkansas have zoning?

Unincorporated Lee County appears to have no county zoning, but no official county page or ordinance explicitly confirms that conclusion³. The county's setback, minimum-lot-size, minimum-dwelling-size, building-height and lot-coverage rules therefore remain unconfirmed; ask the County Judge's office about the parcel before relying on a seller's statement that the land is unrestricted². A parcel inside an incorporated city can be governed differently from rural county land, so contact the relevant city when the address falls within municipal limits. The statewide building-code framework is a separate issue from zoning: Arkansas identifies the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code as including fire, building and residential codes, even though the source does not establish a Lee County zoning or permit program¹¹.

How do septic permits work in Lee County?

Lee County onsite wastewater systems generally require construction and operation permits before construction, installation or modification begins⁴. Start by calling the health unit serving the property and asking for the onsite environmental specialist, who can provide contacts for licensed soil testers and system designers⁷. Arkansas sets no universal minimum lot size for septic; usable space depends on the soil, bedroom count and a 100-foot setback from water wells⁷. A single residence on a qualifying large tract may receive a permit exemption when every part of the sewage system is more than 200 feet from every property line, including roads; the exemption covers only the permit, not proper installation or nuisance rules⁷. Only about 2.2% of Lee County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain the soil evaluation before choosing the house site¹⁴. A system cannot operate until it has been inspected, approved and issued its operating permit⁵.

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

Lee County's rule for living in a single RV or tiny home on private land could not be confirmed, so ask the County Judge's office about occupancy, utilities and any temporary-use limit before moving onto the parcel². Arkansas does regulate parcels with 3 or more paid spaces for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks⁹¹⁰. That park rule does not answer whether 1 owner may occupy 1 RV or tiny home on a private tract⁹¹⁰. Sanitation rules still matter: onsite systems generally need permits and approval, while an available sanitary sewer within 300 feet must be used when the connection can be made without crossing another person's land⁴¹⁵.

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

Call the Lee County Judge's office and ask whether the parcel needs a building permit, inspection, occupancy approval, driveway approval or local floodplain permit².
Confirm whether the land is inside a city; the finding that county zoning appears absent applies to unincorporated Lee County³.
Call the health unit serving the property and ask for the onsite environmental specialist before fixing the house location⁷.
Complete the soil and system-design work because only about 2.2% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field¹⁴.
Obtain required septic construction approval before work and the operating permit after inspection⁴⁵.
For access from a state highway, obtain the Arkansas Department of Transportation driveway permit before working in the highway right-of-way¹⁶.

What should you check before buying land in Lee County?

Check wastewater feasibility first because only about 2.2% of Lee County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field¹⁴. Confirm legal access and learn whether a proposed driveway meets a county road or a state highway, since a state-highway connection requires a state driveway permit¹⁶. Ask the County Judge's office who administers private-development floodplain review because the county's emergency-management page does not identify a local permit issuer²¹³. Lee County averages about 52.2 inches of precipitation each year, and about 97% of its land has a slope of 15% or less, making parcel-level drainage and flood checks more useful than slope alone¹⁷¹⁸. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $409; verify the actual assessment and exemptions with county tax offices before closing¹⁹²⁰.

Watch-outs

Lee County's building-permit, inspection and certificate-of-occupancy requirements were not confirmed on an explicit county page; ask the County Judge's office before construction².
Lee County's zoning, setbacks, minimum dwelling size and general minimum lot size for unincorporated land were not confirmed; ask the County Judge's office about the specific parcel².
A state septic permit exemption does not waive proper-system and nuisance requirements⁷.
The local floodplain permit authority for private development could not be confirmed; start with the County Judge's office or Office of Emergency Management²¹³.

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 Lee County scores

Seclusion63100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency50100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability52100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost8596% 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 →

$96kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$3,431Land / acre

52.2"Annual rain

8.1% of yrsSevere drought

20.1 / yr (+17.7)Mid-century 100°F days

17.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.37" (+8.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.55×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,812Home insurance / yr

1.2% / yrInsurance growth

0.68%Nonrenewal rate

single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis

14,898People within 30 min

2,349,526People within 2 hr

19,710Radius comparison (15 mi)

13.7People / sq mi

7.8%Federal land

97%Land at 15% slope or less

2.2%Septic soil without severe limits

8,076 acWorkable land screen

25.3%Wooded land

63.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac

62.3°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Lee County

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

Lee County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
No county planning or zoning office is listed for Lee County; land-use regulation is handled by incorporated cities such as Marianna, not the county.
Arkansas.gov - Lee County ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable
State residential contractor licensing requirements for an owner building or improving a residence in Arkansas; this source does not establish an exemption from Lee County building permits or inspections.
- A person acting as a residential building contractor in construction of his or her residence is exempt unless he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year.
- The owner of a single-family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property is exempt.
- A residential building contractor or home improvement contractor project costing no more than $2,000 is exempt.
- The $2,000 exemption does not apply when construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than $2,000.
- The cited exemptions concern licensing requirements under the Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee subchapter, not county permit, inspection, or occupancy requirements.
residences built by person per calendar year: <= 1 residence (Exemption for construction of the person's residence does not apply if more than one residence is built during any calendar year.) · project cost: <= 2000 USD (The exemption does not apply when the work is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than $2,000.)
“The following shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this subchapter: (1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year; (2) The owner of a single family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property; (3)(A) A person or entity acting as a residential building contractor or a home improvement contractor on any project, when the cost of the work done or to be done does not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000). (B) Subdivision (3)(A) of this section shall not apply to a project in which the construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than two thousand dollars ($2,000);”
Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.
  “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
State projects in Arkansas.
- The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
- Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
- All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
- The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
“The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — Building, fire, and residential code framework applicable statewide in Arkansas, including Lee County.
  “Current Applicable State Codes in Arkansas (This list contains only the most commonly requested. Other codes may be applicable to a specific project.) Code Type Contact Fire and Building Current Code 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Includes: Fire Code, Building Code, Residential Code) (Based on IBC 2021 w\Arkansas Amendments)”
  Current Applicable State Codes in Arkansas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 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 three or more recreational-vehicle spaces on a parcel in Lee County where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee.
- The parcel is treated as a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR pt. 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are case-by-case and subject to Department of Health discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension requires prior Department of Health approval.
- Recreational vehicles may not be permanently connected to recreational-vehicle spaces and must be quickly and easily moved when a flood event is imminent.
- Recreational vehicles must be separated from each other and other structures by at least fifteen feet (15’).
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Applies where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee.) · minimum separation between recreational vehicles and other structures: >= 15 feet
“(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.”
20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- 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.”
  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
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of three or more tiny houses on wheels on a parcel in Lee County where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee.
  “(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;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
- Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Who permits septicState
Onsite wastewater systems in Lee County, including unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities unless a delegated Authorized Agent administers the application locally.
- For cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent acts for the Arkansas Department of Health.
- If no Authorized Agent has been designated, applications are made to the Arkansas Department of Health.
“For those cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent shall be the Authorized Agent of the Department. In the event that an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the Department.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of onsite wastewater systems in Lee County.
- A completed permit application and detailed plans must be approved before construction of a building or residence.
- Construction, installation, or modification requires construction and operation permits before work begins.
- Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification, but a permit must be obtained within 10 working days.
- A permit may be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible.
- Existing installations and systems covered by prior plats or permits may be governed by the rule's Section 3.4 grandfathering provisions.
sewer-distance threshold: <= 300 feet (Applies when sanitary sewer is available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property.) · construction permit review fee, structure 1,500 square feet or less: 30 USD · construction permit review fee, structure over 1,500 and up to 2,000 square feet: 45 USD · construction permit review fee, structure over 2,000 and up to 3,000 square feet: 90 USD · construction permit review fee, structure over 3,000 and up to 4,000 square feet: 120 USD · construction permit review fee, structure over 4,000 square feet: 150 USD · alteration, repair, or extension review fee: 30 USD · construction start deadline: 1 year (Permit must be revalidated by the original Designated Representative or Authorized Agent if construction has not begun.) · emergency repair permit deadline: 10 working days (Permit may be obtained after emergency repairs.)
“Permits for construction and operation of onsite wastewater systems shall be obtained in accordance with the RULES PERTAINING TO ONSITE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS prior to the construction, installation or modification of the Onsite Wastewater System.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Lee County.
- The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access for inspection.
- The installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
- Inspection may be performed by the Authorized Agent or, with Authorized Agent approval, by the Designated Representative.
- The system cannot be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.
installer documentation deadline: 5 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.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.
- Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
- The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
- Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
- Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
- The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
“Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta on premises in Lee County.
  “No privies, onsite wastewater systems or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.”
  Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Well permitLimited
Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
- Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
- If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
- This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
“Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
Premises in Lee County where sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building and is available to the premises.
- Connection is required only when it can be made without crossing another person's property.
- When the condition applies, privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.
- Plumbing must comply with the Arkansas State Plumbing Code.
sewer-distance threshold: <= 300 feet (Availability and no-crossing condition must also be satisfied.)
“All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within 300 feet 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.”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
  “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
- The plat must be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any recording requirements imposed by city or county government.
- Filing is not required, but may be submitted, for survey plats of subdivided property located in a municipality where the property has previously been surveyed and a plat filed.
plat distribution deadline: 30 days after completion
“Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Arkansas state capital improvement projects in a flood-prone area, including such projects located in Lee County.
  “The Design Review Section shall review all capital improvement projects to determine whether the proposed development will be reasonably safe from flooding. If the proposed site is within a flood-prone area, a development permit shall be submitted and approved prior to releasing the project for bidding or construction.”
  22 CAR § 111-702. Authorization ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
- The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
- For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
- Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.
basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition
“$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Arkansas state department development projects located within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area.
- The application is submitted on a Design Review Section-approved form.
- The application must identify the site, development type, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachments, and applicant contact and signature information.
- Supporting materials may include FEMA maps, other regulatory permits, elevation certificates, no-rise certification, flood-proofing certification, utility or onsite-waste-disposal certification, and watercourse-alteration notification.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; additional information may be requested.
- If approved, the floodplain administrator issues a design-phase development permit; the permit must be posted during construction, followed by compliance review before final acceptance.
permit application timing: before development of covered property · appeal or review completion point: prior to final acceptance
“the department shall submit an application for a development permit”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Temporary or transient camping in a recreational-vehicle park in Lee County, where three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee.
  “(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;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning regulation across Lee County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Lee County, including unincorporated areas.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Lee County, Arkansas
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated Lee County, Arkansas
Setbacks — Building setbacks in unincorporated Lee County, Arkansas

4 more unanswered

Lot coverage
Building height
Accessory dwellings
Short-term rentals

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

Living off-grid in Lee County, Arkansas

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

Lee County scores 71/100 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 Lee County, Arkansas?

Lee 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 Section. 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 Lee County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Lee County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. Occupancy of three or more recreational-vehicle spaces on a parcel in Lee County where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee. The parcel is treated as a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR pt. 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 Lee County, Arkansas?

Land in Lee County runs about $3,431 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Lee County?

Lee County gets about 52.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.1% of years.

How remote is Lee County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,898 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,349,526 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles building permits in Lee County, Arkansas?

Does Lee County, Arkansas have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Lee County?

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

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

What should you check before buying land in Lee County?

Watch-outs

Sources

Lee County in Arkansas

How Lee County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Lee County

Lee County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Lee County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Lee County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Lee County?

How remote is Lee County?

How Lee compares in Arkansas