Little River County, AR Building Permits & Zoning Rules

Little River County, Arkansas lists no planning, zoning, or building-permit department on its official site, and no county ordinance either requiring or waiving a residential building permit turned up in our research¹. Arkansas law lets counties adopt their own zoning and permit programs, so this looks like a choice not to, not a legal limit on the county². Septic systems are permitted statewide by the Arkansas Department of Health, administered locally through the county's Environmental Health Specialist³⁴. Before you build, treat "no county department" as unconfirmed rather than certain, and call the County Judge's office to check⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: No department or ordinance found; appears not required outside city limits, but unconfirmed¹
Zoning: No planning department found; countywide zoning status is unconfirmed²
Septic (OSSF) permit: Required statewide, administered locally by the county's ADH Environmental Health Specialist⁴
Owner-builder: You can build your own residence without a state contractor license if you build no more than 1 per calendar year⁶
RV or tiny home on your own land: Not addressed by any county ordinance found; confirm with the County Judge's office²
Driveway onto a state highway: ArDOT permit required before construction⁷
Property tax: About 0.5% effective rate; roughly $549 median annual bill⁸⁹

Who to call

Also useful

Little River County Judge's Office

Chief county executive; the point of contact for zoning, building, floodplain, and any question the county site doesn't route to a named department

(870) 898-7202

[email protected]

351 N. Second St., Ste. 4, Ashdown, AR 71822

Roads & driveways

Little River County Road & Bridge Department

County road construction and maintenance; the office to ask about driveway access onto a county road

(870) 898-3446

531 S 5th Street, Ashdown, AR 71822

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health – Onsite Wastewater Program

Sets statewide septic (OSSF) rules; permits for Little River County properties are handled through the county's Environmental Health Specialist under this program

501-661-2171

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

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

Do you need a building permit in Little River County, Arkansas?

Little River County's official website lists no building, planning, or permit department, and no residential building-permit ordinance for the county was found in official sources¹. That's a meaningful finding, not proof either way: Arkansas counties are allowed to adopt their own permitting and zoning under state law, and simply choosing not to is common among rural Arkansas counties¹. Even without a local permit or inspection, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its residential volume, is the adopted building code standard statewide, and it applies even in areas where no permit or inspection is required¹⁰¹¹. In practice that means nobody may check your work as you build in unincorporated Little River County, but the work is still expected to meet the state code's construction standards. If you want certainty for your specific parcel, ask the County Judge's office directly, since the county site doesn't post a formal policy either way⁵.

Who do you call about permits, roads and septic in Little River County?

There's no separate building or zoning department to call: the County Judge's Office, 351 N. Second St., Ste. 4, Ashdown, AR 71822, phone (870) 898-7202, is the general point of contact for county government questions the site doesn't route elsewhere⁵. For anything involving a driveway or access onto a county road, the County Road & Bridge Department at 531 S 5th Street, Ashdown, AR 71822, phone (870) 898-3446, maintains the county road system¹². For septic, the Arkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater Program sets the statewide rules and works with the county's own Environmental Health Specialist to review local permit applications; no separate county environmental-health office page was found, so start with the state program at 501-661-2171 and ask to be routed to the Little River County specialist³.

Does Little River County have zoning?

Little River County's official site lists no planning or zoning department, and unlike some states, Arkansas doesn't automatically strip counties of zoning power the way Texas does². Arkansas counties may adopt zoning and other land-use ordinances under state law, and Little River County's absence of a planning department suggests it hasn't, but no official statement was found either confirming or denying a countywide zoning ordinance². Don't assume unincorporated land is zoning-free just because there's no planning department listed; call the County Judge's office and ask specifically about your parcel before you buy or build⁵. Inside Ashdown, Foreman, or other municipalities, zoning and permitting can be entirely different from the unincorporated county, so confirm city limits separately with the city itself.

How do septic permits work in Little River County?

Septic, called an onsite wastewater system (OSSF) in Arkansas, is permitted under statewide rules from the Arkansas Department of Health, not by Little River County government⁴. The Department's Onsite Wastewater Program sets policy and works with an Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the county health unit, who acts as the Department's authorized local agent³⁴. A system must be inspected and approved by the Department or its authorized agent before it goes into operation, and the installer has to notify the inspector and submit paperwork to the local health unit within 5 days of the system being ready¹³. If your property sits within 300 feet of an existing sanitary sewer line you can reach without crossing someone else's property, Arkansas rules require connecting to that sewer instead of installing a septic system¹⁴. Soil quality matters for site approval: only about 6.9% of Little River County's soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and be ready for the Environmental Health Specialist to require an engineered system on much of the county's land¹⁵.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your own land in Little River County?

This isn't clearly answered by any county ordinance we found, and it's worth being careful here: Arkansas's state rules on recreational vehicles and tiny houses on wheels apply to mobile-home and RV parks, defined as three or more spaces rented out for a fee, not to a single owner parked on their own land¹⁶¹⁷. That park rule tells you nothing about whether you personally can live in an RV or tiny home on your own parcel outside a park, and no Little River County ordinance addressing that question was found. Call the County Judge's office before you count on being able to live on-site in an RV or tiny home while you build, especially if the parcel is inside or near a municipality⁵.

Building a home in Little River County: the steps, in order

Confirm whether your parcel is inside Ashdown, Foreman, or another municipality; if so, ask that city directly about its own permit and zoning rules rather than relying on this county-level guide.
If you're unincorporated, call the County Judge's office to confirm there's no county building-permit requirement for your specific project, since the county site doesn't post a formal policy⁵¹.
Arrange for a septic site evaluation and apply for an onsite wastewater (OSSF) permit through the Arkansas Department of Health's local Environmental Health Specialist before you install a system³⁴.
If you're within 300 feet of an existing sanitary sewer line reachable without crossing another property, plan to connect to it instead of installing septic¹⁴.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply to the Arkansas Department of Transportation District Engineer for an access-driveway permit before any work begins in the right-of-way⁷; for a county road, contact the Road & Bridge Department instead¹².
If you're creating a new parcel by survey, know that Arkansas requires certain subdivision plats to be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any county or city recording steps¹⁸.
If you'll act as your own contractor, remember the state licensing exemption only covers one owner-built residence per calendar year and doesn't by itself waive any permit, inspection, or zoning requirement that does apply⁶.

What to check before you buy land in Little River County

Little River County is rural, with about 22.2 people per square mile across roughly 11,805 residents, and the nearest metro area is about 92 miles away¹⁹²⁰²¹. Farmland runs about $2,717 an acre on average, and a typical home in the county is valued around $156,082²²²³. This is wetter, hillier, and more wooded country than much of Texas or the Plains: annual precipitation averages about 52.5 inches, about 98% of land sits at 15% slope or less, and roughly 57.8% of the county is wooded²⁴²⁵²⁶. About 6.6% of the county is federal land, worth checking against any parcel you're considering near a forest boundary²⁷. Only about 6.9% of local soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so plan on a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system before you commit to a specific lot¹⁵. Average annual temperature runs about 63.3°F, with roughly 30.3 more days a year projected at or above 100°F by mid-century²⁸²⁹. Budget for insurance and taxes too: a typical homeowner's policy runs about $1,589 a year, the effective property tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median property tax bill is around $549 a year³⁰⁸⁹.

Watch-outs

No official Little River County source confirms or denies a countywide zoning or building-permit ordinance; the absence of a planning or building department is a strong sign, not proof, so confirm with the County Judge's office before you rely on it⁵².
Arkansas's mobile-home and RV park rules only cover parks of three or more paid spaces; they don't answer whether you can live in an RV or tiny home on your own individual parcel, which no county ordinance we found addresses¹⁶.
The official_website_leads domain in our records (littlerivercounty.org) did not resolve; the county's real site is lrcounty.org¹.

Sources

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

How Little River County scores

Seclusion76100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency61100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability45100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost86100% 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 →

$156kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$2,717Land / acre

52.5"Annual rain

14.5% of yrsSevere drought

30.3 / yr (+23.4)Mid-century 100°F days

19.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.55" (+3.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.43×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,589Home insurance / yr

1.3% / yrInsurance growth

0.91%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

6,987People within 30 min

619,670People within 2 hr

16,352Radius comparison (15 mi)

22.2People / sq mi

6.6%Federal land

98%Land at 15% slope or less

6.9%Septic soil without severe limits

21,660 acWorkable land screen

57.8%Wooded land

35.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac

63.3°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Little River County

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

Little River County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
The county maintains no planning or zoning department and has not established county-wide zoning in unincorporated areas; land-use control exists only within municipalities.
Little River County - Departments ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Arkansas residential-contractor licensing for an owner constructing the owner's own residence or acting as the owner's own home-improvement contractor on the owner's property; this is a state licensing exemption and does not establish a county building-permit exemption.
- The exemption applies to a person acting as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence only if the person builds no more than one residence during any calendar year.
- The exemption applies to the owner of a single-family residence acting as his or her own home-improvement contractor on the owner's own property.
- The same statute separately exempts projects whose work cost does not exceed $2,000, but that exemption does not apply when construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of less than $2,000.
- Subcontractors of a contractor licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee are exempt from the licensing requirements.
- A person or entity licensed as a contractor by another Arkansas licensing agency, board, or commission is exempt when performing work within the scope of that license.
- A roofing contractor is exempt from the residential-contractor licensing requirements under the separately stated roofing exemption.
- The source states licensing exemptions; it does not state that building permits, inspections, or certificates of occupancy are waived.
maximum residences built by owner under residence exemption: <= 1 residence per calendar year (The source states the exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during any calendar year.) · project-cost exemption threshold: <= 2000 USD (The source states this separate exemption does not apply when the necessary construction work is divided into separate contracts of 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;”
Arkansas Residential Rules ↗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 building-code requirements relevant to construction in Little River County, including state projects and projects subject to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- The source expressly identifies the adopted code for state projects.
- Arkansas laws and the cited subchapter take precedence where they exceed the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- All project designs covered by the cited state-project rule must comply with 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 source separately states that the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code is the fire prevention code for the State of Arkansas.
code: Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15 (Arkansas laws and the cited subchapter take precedence where they exceed the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code)
“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.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
  “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
  2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
- 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.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
  “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Construction subject to Arkansas Building Code compliance and any applicable inspection regime.
- The official statewide source expressly recognizes areas where inspections are not required.
- Where an inspection is required, the applicable inspection authority and process are not specified by this statewide source.
“areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.
- Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
- The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
- A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
“An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
6 CAR § 31-425. Charter school facilities ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
  “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
  DBA Project Closeout Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
- The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
- Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including qualifying parks in Little River 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.”
  20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 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 — Tiny-house-on-wheels occupancy in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including qualifying parks in Little River County.
  ““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 Little River County and throughout Arkansas.
- The Arkansas State Board of Health promulgates the rules.
- The Department is the Arkansas Department of Health.
- An Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the county or business unit may serve as the Department's Authorized Agent.
“promulgated by the Arkansas State Board of Health”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Little River County.
- The system must be inspected and approved by the Department or its Authorized Agent before operation.
- The owner must obtain a Permit for Operation before use.
- The installation inspection may be performed by the Authorized Agent or, with approval, by a Designated Representative.
- The installer must notify the inspector when the installation is ready and submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
installer documentation submission: 5 days
“inspected and approved by the Department”
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
Well permitLimited
Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
- Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
- If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
- This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
“Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
- When the stated distance and availability conditions are met, connection to the sanitary sewer is required.
- Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises under that condition.
sewer distance from building sewer-exit point: <= 300 feet (sewer must be available without crossing another person's property)
“All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
- The plat must be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any recording requirements imposed by city or county government.
- Filing is not required, but may be submitted, for survey plats of subdivided property located in a municipality where the property has previously been surveyed and a plat filed.
plat distribution deadline: 30 days after completion
“Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
- The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
- For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
- Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.
basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition
“$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Arkansas state department development projects located within a hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division-designated flood hazard area.
- The application is submitted on a Design Review Section-approved form.
- The application must identify the site, development type, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachments, and applicant contact and signature information.
- Supporting materials may include FEMA maps, other regulatory permits, elevation certificates, no-rise certification, flood-proofing certification, utility or onsite-waste-disposal certification, and watercourse-alteration notification.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; additional information may be requested.
- If approved, the floodplain administrator issues a design-phase development permit; the permit must be posted during construction, followed by compliance review before final acceptance.
permit application timing: before development of covered property · appeal or review completion point: prior to final acceptance
“the department shall submit an application for a development permit”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Manufactured or mobile-home occupancy in Arkansas mobile-home parks, including qualifying parks in Little River County.
  ““Mobile home” means a transportable, single-family dwelling unit suitable for year-round occupancy and containing the same water supply, waste disposal, and electrical conveniences as immobile housing; “Mobile home park” means a parcel of land for the placement of three (3) or more mobile homes, tiny homes on wheels, or recreational vehicles where services for a fee are provided for the placement for residential purposes;”
  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 across Little River County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Little River County, including any county or municipal districts.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential development in unincorporated Little River County, Arkansas.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for land development in unincorporated Little River County, Arkansas.
Setbacks — Required setbacks for development in unincorporated Little River County, Arkansas.

5 more unanswered

Lot coverage
Building height
Camping on your land
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 Little River County, Arkansas

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

Little River County scores 76/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

Do you need a building permit in Little River County, Arkansas?

Little River 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 (ADH), Onsite Wastewater Program (administered via county Environmental Health Specialist). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Little River County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138. The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing. The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Little River County, Arkansas?

Land in Little River County runs about $2,717 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Little River County?

Little River County gets about 52.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 14.5% of years.

How remote is Little River County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,987 people within a 30-minute drive and 619,670 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 Little River County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Little River County, Arkansas?

Who do you call about permits, roads and septic in Little River County?

Does Little River County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Little River County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your own land in Little River County?

Building a home in Little River County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Little River County

Watch-outs

Sources

Little River County in Arkansas

How Little River County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Little River County

Little River County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Little River County, Arkansas

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

Do you need a building permit in Little River County, Arkansas?

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

How much does land cost in Little River County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Little River County?

How remote is Little River County?

How Little River compares in Arkansas