Marion County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Marion County, Arkansas requires no general building permit, and the county lists no building or code-enforcement department¹. Marion County does not enforce countywide zoning; land-use rules exist only inside cities like Yellville and Bull Shoals². Septic is the one construction step Arkansas regulates everywhere, through the Arkansas Department of Health, since Marion County has no local office of its own for it³. Only about 5.2% of the county's soils carry no severe limit for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for site testing before you buy⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Marion County; the county does offer a development and occupancy permit process¹⁵
Zoning: No countywide zoning; land-use rules apply only inside cities²
Septic permit: Required statewide through the Arkansas Department of Health³
Owner-builder exemption: Yes, for your own residence (max 1 per year) or your own home improvements⁶⁷
Subdividing land: Regulated by the Marion County Planning Board outside city planning jurisdictions⁸
Septic soil suitability: Only 5.2% of county soils have no severe limitation for a conventional drain field⁴
Driveway onto a state highway: Needs an ARDOT permit before any work starts⁹

Who to call

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Reviews and issues septic (onsite wastewater) permits statewide, including unincorporated Marion County, through the county health unit's Environmental Health Specialist as the Department's authorized local agent

501-661-2171

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

Also useful

Marion County Judge

The county's chief administrative office; reachable also for the Marion County Planning Board, which is contacted through this office, since Marion County has no separate building or planning department

870-449-6231

[email protected]

105 S. Berry St., Yellville, AR 72687

Roads & driveways

Marion County Road Department

County road maintenance; the office to contact about access from a county road (a driveway onto a state highway instead needs an ARDOT permit)

870-449-6021

[email protected]

P.O. Box 545, Yellville, AR 72687

Property records

Marion County Assessor

Property appraisal and assessment; also the office that distributes Marion County's downloadable development and occupancy permit application

870-449-4113

[email protected]

300 E. Old Main St., Yellville, AR 72687

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 Marion County, Arkansas?

No general building permit is required to build a home on unincorporated land in Marion County; the county's department listing includes no building-permit, planning or code-enforcement office¹. Marion County does administer a 'development and occupancy permit,' and the County Assessor's office can print you the application procedure, though the county's page doesn't spell out when that permit is required or what it covers⁵¹⁰. Arkansas's statewide building code, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, still applies as a compliance standard even in areas where no local permit or inspection is required¹¹. Arkansas also lets an owner build their own residence, up to one per calendar year, or act as their own home-improvement contractor on their own property, without a residential contractor's license; that's a licensing exemption, not proof that Marion County's development and occupancy permit is waived⁶⁷.

Who handles zoning, subdivisions and permits in Marion County?

Marion County has no countywide zoning; land-use rules exist only inside municipalities such as Yellville and Bull Shoals². Dividing land does trigger county rules outside a city's own planning jurisdiction: the Marion County Planning Board sets minimum standards for subdividing land under a county ordinance, and that jurisdiction covers all unincorporated county land except areas a city has already claimed on its own recorded planning-area map⁸. The Planning Board is reached through the County Judge's office¹². For the development and occupancy permit or any other land-use question, start with the County Assessor's office, which distributes that permit's application¹⁰.

How do septic permits work in Marion County?

Every onsite wastewater system in Marion County needs a permit from the Arkansas Department of Health, since no local Marion County office has taken over septic permitting³. Once installed, the installer must notify the Department's Authorized Agent, give reasonable access, and submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days; the system can't be used until a Permit for Operation is issued after inspection¹³. Soil quality is a real hurdle here: only about 5.2% of Marion County's soils carry no severe limitation for a conventional drain field, so most parcels will need a more involved site evaluation and design⁴. If a sanitary sewer line sits within 300 feet of where your building's sewer would exit and is reachable without crossing another property, Arkansas rule requires connecting to that sewer instead of installing a septic system, and no privy or onsite system is allowed there¹⁴¹⁵.

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

No official Marion County source confirms whether long-term RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy, or temporary camping, is allowed, limited or prohibited on your own private land, and the county enforces no countywide zoning that would otherwise answer it². Whatever you place on the land, once it has plumbing you'll still need an onsite wastewater permit from the Arkansas Department of Health¹⁶. Call the County Judge's office before you buy or move a unit onto a specific parcel, especially if it might fall under the Planning Board's subdivision jurisdiction¹².

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

Confirm the parcel is outside Yellville, Bull Shoals or another city's limits; unincorporated land needs no general building permit, while a city may require one¹.
Before you buy, ask the County Assessor's office about Marion County's development and occupancy permit process, since the county's page doesn't spell out every project it covers¹⁰⁵.
Get a septic site evaluation and permit from the Arkansas Department of Health before you build; only about 5.2% of the county's soils carry no severe limitation for a conventional system⁴¹⁶.
If you're creating a new lot outside a city's own planning jurisdiction, go through the Marion County Planning Board, reached via the County Judge's office, before dividing the land⁸¹².
If a driveway will connect to a state highway, get an ARDOT access permit before any work starts in the right-of-way; a driveway onto a county road instead goes through the Road Department⁹¹⁷.
For anything else, including zoning-type questions, start with the County Judge's office¹².

What to check before you buy land in Marion County

Soils and septic: with only 5.2% of the county's soils carrying no severe limitation for a conventional drain field, get a site evaluation from the Arkansas Department of Health before you commit to a parcel⁴. Water: a private domestic well doesn't need the state approval that public and semi-public wells require, but confirm well-driller licensing and local water quality separately¹⁸. Access: a driveway onto a state highway needs an ARDOT permit before work starts, with a minimum $1,000 deposit for a commercial driveway and temporary access limited to 120 days, extendable to 240⁹. Land and climate: Marion County farmland has averaged about $2,692 an acre in the USDA census, the county gets roughly 47 inches of rain a year and has been in severe drought in only about 10% of recent years, and 66% of the county's land is wooded¹⁹²⁰²¹²². Taxes and location: the county's effective property tax rate runs about 0.5%, the median property tax bill is roughly $813 a year, and Marion County sits about 69 miles from the nearest metro area with a population density of about 29 people per square mile²³²⁴²⁵²⁶.

Watch-outs

No official Marion County source identifies a floodplain administrator or a county floodplain-development permit process; ask the County Judge's office who handles flood review locally before you buy near water¹².
Marion County's development and occupancy permit isn't fully described on the county's site beyond a downloadable application; confirm with the Assessor's office exactly when it's required and what it costs before you build¹⁰.

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 Marion County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency55100% ev.

Admin Boringness85100% ev.

Durability51100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost85100% 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 →

$229kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$2,692Land / acre

46.9"Annual rain

9.6% of yrsSevere drought

19.2 / yr (+14.8)Mid-century 100°F days

15.9 daysMid-century dry spell

2.3" (+5.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.59×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,655Home insurance / yr

0.7% / yrInsurance growth

0.92%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

12,716People within 30 min

1,016,308People within 2 hr

21,959Radius comparison (15 mi)

29.4People / sq mi

20.5%Federal land

50%Land at 15% slope or less

5.2%Septic soil without severe limits

18,289 acWorkable land screen

66.3%Wooded land

36.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac

57.8°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Marion County

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

Marion County rules

Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision of land in unincorporated Marion County, Arkansas, within the Marion County Planning Board's jurisdiction.
- The regulations exclude official planning jurisdictions, such as City Planning Boards, designated on the planning area map adopted by the Marion County Planning Board and recorded.
- The county page identifies Ordinance #2012-17 as the applicable Standards and Regulations for the Development and Subdivision of Land, amended June 8, 2021.
“minimum standards governing the subdivision of land [...] The territorial jurisdiction of these regulations include the unincorporated land within the limits of the County of Marion, Arkansas”
Quorum Court ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPartial
County development and occupancy permit application process in Marion County, Arkansas.
- The county directs applicants to contact the Marion County Assessor's Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse, by telephone at 870-449-4113, or by email at [email protected].
- The county provides a downloadable procedure for obtaining a development and occupancy permit, but the opened webpage does not provide the full procedure or approval conditions.
“You may contact the Marion County Assessor's Office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Marion County Courthouse, 300 E. Old Main St., P. O. Box 532, Yellville, AR 72687, or call 870-449-4113 or email [email protected].”
Marion County Assessor ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
The county maintains no county-wide zoning; no planning/zoning department or ordinance is listed. Land-use regulation exists only within municipalities such as Yellville and Bull Shoals.
Marion County, Arkansas - Official Website (departments) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
Who permits septicArkansas Department of Health (Onsite Wastewater)
Septic (onsite wastewater) systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health; new systems require an ADH permit for construction and a permit for operation, applied for through the local county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist.
Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Owner-builders under Arkansas residential builder and home-improvement contractor licensing requirements; this is a contractor-licensing exemption and is not evidence that a Marion County building permit, inspection, or certificate of occupancy is waived.
- A person acting as a residential building contractor in construction of his or her residence is exempt from the licensing requirement 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 from the licensing requirement.
- The source also lists exemptions for subcontractors working for properly licensed contractors and contractors licensed by another licensing agency or board when performing work within that license's scope.
- The source states that Arkansas building codes apply statewide even where no permit or inspections are required; this exemption does not waive those building-code requirements.
“The following are exemptions to the residential builder and home improvement licensing requirements: (1) owners are exempt from licensure when acting as the contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year (2) owners acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property”
State of Arkansas Home Improvement New Application ↗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 standards applicable statewide in Arkansas, including construction in Marion County.
  “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 recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
- The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
- Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Tiny homesLimited
Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.
- The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
- Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
- Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
- The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.
minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)
“three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation and initial operation of onsite wastewater systems in Marion County.
- The installer must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative when the installation is ready for inspection.
- The owner or occupant must provide reasonable-time access.
- Required documentation must be submitted to the local health unit within five days.
- The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued after inspection approval.
installer documentation submission deadline: 5 days (After installation pursuant to the approved permit.)
“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 and onsite wastewater systems on premises in Marion 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Marion County.
  “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.”
  17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
Premises in Marion County where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and is available without crossing another person's property.
- Connection is required only when both the 300-foot distance and availability conditions are met.
- No privy, onsite wastewater system, or other receptacle for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used on qualifying premises.
- Plumbing must comply with the Arkansas State Plumbing Code.
distance from building sewer exit: <= 300 feet (The sewer must also be available without crossing another person's property.)
“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
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
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Local zoning — Zoning within Marion County, including the unincorporated county and incorporated municipalities.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements for unincorporated Marion County outside official municipal planning jurisdictions.
Minimum lot size — Minimum land-lot size requirements for unincorporated Marion County outside official municipal planning jurisdictions.
Setbacks — Building or yard setbacks in unincorporated Marion County outside official municipal planning jurisdictions.
Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits in unincorporated Marion County outside official municipal planning jurisdictions.

4 more unanswered

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 Marion County, Arkansas

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

Marion County scores 75/100 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 Marion County, Arkansas?

Marion 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). 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 Marion County?

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

Land in Marion County runs about $2,692 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Marion County?

Marion County gets about 46.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.6% of years.

How remote is Marion County?

A representative private-land location has about 12,716 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,016,308 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 Marion County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles zoning, subdivisions and permits in Marion County?

How do septic permits work in Marion County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Marion County

Watch-outs

Sources

Marion County in Arkansas

How Marion County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Marion County

Marion County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Marion County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Marion County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Marion County?

How remote is Marion County?

How Marion compares in Arkansas