Bolthole Index

Miller County, Arkansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Texarkana, Arkansas

Texarkana, Arkansas (Miller County) zones land inside city limits through its Planning and Zoning Division1. Building permits and inspections run through city offices, and the city says its Code Enforcement Division oversees construction permits2. Septic permits come from the Arkansas Department of Health, not the city3. Living in a camping or travel trailer on a lot inside the city is prohibited outside an authorized trailer park4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, city zoning with five residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, RM, R-4)15
Building permits
Issued through the city's planning and code enforcement offices2
Septic
Arkansas Department of Health, through the county health unit3
RV living on a lot
Prohibited outside an authorized travel trailer park4
Accessory dwelling
One allowed by right with a single-family home; RVs and single-wide trailers do not qualify6
Mobile and manufactured homes
Limited: pre-1976 mobile homes barred outside mobile home parks and RM-zoned areas7
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption for your own residence; city permit rules not confirmed8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

City of Texarkana, Arkansas Planning and Zoning Division

Zoning, development review and building permit review inside Texarkana city limits

(870) 779-4974

216 Walnut Street Texarkana, AR 71854

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Septic (onsite wastewater) policy and permit review, with the local county health unit's Environmental Health Specialist

501-6612171

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 October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Texarkana, Arkansas have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Yes. Texarkana's Planning and Zoning Division writes and enforces zoning ordinances covering land use, building heights and setbacks19. The city's code sets five residential districts: R-1 Rural Residential, R-2 Single-Family Residential, R-3 Low Density Residential, RM Manufactured Housing and R-4 Medium Density Residential5.

One accessory dwelling unit is allowed by right on any lot with a single-family home. A detached unit generally sits at least 10 feet from the main house and must meet the zone's setbacks; RVs and single-wide trailers cannot serve as accessory dwellings6.

We could not confirm the minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, numeric setbacks or height limits for each district, and we found no tiny-home provision. Ask the Planning and Zoning Division for the district your parcel sits in before you buy.

Do you need a building permit in Texarkana, and who issues it?

Plan on a permit. The city's Planning and Zoning Division reviews building permits and new construction for zoning compliance, and the Code Enforcement Division oversees permits for construction2. For new construction or extensive remodeling with plumbing changes, plans go to the City Building Inspections Department, Texarkana Water Utilities Engineering and the Fire Department for review2.

Arkansas applies its statewide Fire Prevention Code, including the residential code, to new structures10. We could not confirm which code edition the city has adopted, its permit fees, or whether an owner-builder is excused from a city permit; ask the Planning and Zoning Division.

Who handles building permits and inspections in Texarkana?

Start with the city's Planning and Zoning Division at (870) 779-4974, which lists building permit review among its functions9. Code Enforcement handles construction permits, certificates of occupancy, and complaint-driven inspections2.

How do septic permits work inside Texarkana?

The Arkansas Department of Health sets septic policy and works with an Environmental Health Specialist in each county health unit; the city does not issue septic permits311. The state's FAQ says to call the health unit in the county where the property sits and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist3.

A permit is required, with one exemption: a single residence on ten or more acres with every part of the system more than 200 feet from any property line, roads included12. The exemption covers only the permit, not the system's standards12.

If a sanitary sewer lies within 300 feet of where it leaves your building and can be reached without crossing another owner's land, Arkansas requires you to connect, and onsite systems are barred13. Most city lots will fall under that rule, so ask the city's water utility about sewer service first.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Texarkana?

Not in an RV on an ordinary lot. A camping or travel trailer cannot be occupied, temporarily or permanently, anywhere inside the city except an authorized travel trailer park4. Commercial RV parks need a building permit and certificate of occupancy, with municipal water and sanitary sewer at each space1415.

Mobile and manufactured homes are limited. Pre-1976 mobile homes are barred in every district except nonconforming mobile home parks, RM-zoned parks and mobile home subdivisions, and subdivisions belong only in the RM zone716. We found no city provision on tiny homes, so ask Planning and Zoning.

Building a home in Texarkana: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and dimensional rules with the Planning and Zoning Division9.
  2. Check floodplain status; development in the 100-year floodplain requires drainage easements and control measures17.
  3. Submit plans for building permit review; plumbing changes also go to Water Utilities Engineering and the Fire Department2.
  4. Ask about sewer connection, and if none is available, apply for a septic permit through the county health unit3.
  5. Request a certificate of occupancy through Code Enforcement before moving in2.

What stays with Miller County, and what to check before you buy

Septic oversight comes through the state health department's county unit, not the city3. Land outside city limits follows different rules; see the Miller County page for unincorporated land.

Before buying, check floodplain status17. Miller County's effective property tax rate is 0.6% and the median bill is $916 a year1819. Only 6.9% of Miller County soils rate "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation if you are outside the sewer20.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the city's adopted building code edition, permit fees or inspection schedule; ask the Planning and Zoning Division at (870) 779-49749.
  • Arkansas's owner-builder exemption covers contractor licensing only and does not remove permit, inspection or zoning requirements8.
  • We could not confirm rules on private wells, short-term rentals, driveway permits or agricultural exemptions inside the city; ask the Planning and Zoning Division before relying on them9.

Sources

  1. Planning and Zoning (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning and Zoning (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 50-164. Storage and parking of trailers and commercial vehicles (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 50-59. Residential districts (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 50-178. Accessory dwelling units (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  7. library.municode.com (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  8. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Texarkana, Arkansas Planning and Zoning Division (texarkanaar.gov)
  10. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  12. Onsite Wastewater FAQs (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  13. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Sec. 50-165. Recreational vehicle (RV) parks (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sec. 50-165. Recreational vehicle (RV) parks (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sec. 50-160. Mobile home subdivisions (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  17. texarkanaar.gov (Texarkana), quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Texarkana

Texarkana’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Commercial recreational vehicle parks inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Plans must be submitted to the administrative official for approval and issuance of a building permit and certificate of occupancy.
    • The site plan and construction plans must include the listed space, access, sanitary-facility, water, sewer, electrical, sanitation-container, and state-board-of-health materials.
    “Plans for a commercial recreational vehicle park shall be submitted to the administrative official for approval and issuance of a building permit and certificate of occupancy.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Commercial recreational vehicle parks inside Texarkana city limits.

    • A certificate of occupancy is required with the building permit for the RV park.
    • The administrative official issues it only after determining that the submitted plans comply with the listed standards and other applicable city ordinances.
    “upon determination that the submitted plans and information complies with all the standards described above, and with all other applicable ordinances that are in effect in the city the administrative official shall issue a building permit and certificate of occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Texarkana city limits.

    • The city’s Planning and Zoning Division creates and enforces zoning ordinances regulating land use, building heights, setbacks, and other development standards.
    “There is herein established five residential zoning districts, which include the R-1 Rural Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Low Density Residential District, RM Manufactured Housing District, and R-4 Medium Density Residential District.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Residential zoning districts inside Texarkana city limits.

    • The code identifies R-1 Rural Residential, R-2 Single-Family Residential, R-3 Low Density Residential, RM Manufactured Housing, and R-4 Medium Density Residential districts.
    • The supplied section also describes an R-1 Rural Residential Overlay District with additional regulations.
    “There is herein established five residential zoning districts, which include the R-1 Rural Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Low Density Residential District, RM Manufactured Housing District, and R-4 Medium Density Residential District.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Temporary or permanent occupancy of a camping or travel trailer parked or stored on property inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Exception: occupancy is allowed in an authorized travel trailer park.
    • RV parks are regulated separately under Sec. 50-165.
    “a camping or travel trailer shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area (other than an authorized travel trailer park) within the incorporated limits.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping or lodging in city-owned or city-operated parks inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Camping or lodging is allowed only with written permission from the director of public works or the director’s designated representative.
    • This provision concerns city parks and does not establish a general private-land camping rule.
    “To camp or lodge in any park, except by permission granted in writing from the director of public works or his designated representative.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured and mobile-home occupancy inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Pre-1976 preregulation mobile homes are expressly prohibited for permanent or temporary occupancy in all zoning districts except nonconforming mobile-home parks, RM-zoned mobile-home parks, and mobile-home subdivisions.
    • Mobile-home and manufactured-home subdivisions must be established in the RM residential zone only.
    • Applicable zoning, foundation, development-standard, and other city requirements remain in force.
    “This structural type is expressly prohibited whether for permanent or temporary occupancy in all zoning districts except in nonconforming mobile home parks and RM-zoned mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units on parcels containing a single-family home inside Texarkana city limits.

    • One ADU is allowed by right on a parcel containing a single-family home.
    • A detached ADU must generally be at least ten feet from the principal building and other accessory buildings or dwellings and must meet zone setbacks.
    • An ADU may not occupy a front yard except in the A-1 Limited Mixed Use Rural Zone.
    • The ADU may not exceed 75 percent of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
    • Additional ADUs require planning-commission approval and a conditional-use permit when applicable.
    • RV’s and single-wide trailers may not be used as ADUs.

    detached separation: >= 10 feet (Except as otherwise provided) · maximum floor area: 75% of principal dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less

    “One accessory dwelling unit shall be a use by right on any parcel containing a single-family home.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Commercial recreational vehicle parks inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Each recreational vehicle space must have municipal water and sanitary sewer service.
    • This claim is limited to RV parks; the reviewed material did not establish a universal connection rule for every new single-family home.
    “municipal water and sanitary sewer service to accommodate each recreational vehicle space;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Mobile-home and manufactured-home subdivisions inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Mobile-home and manufactured-home subdivisions must be in the RM residential zone.
    • They must comply with the applicable regulations of the zoning article and the city subdivision regulations.
    • Individual homes in the subdivisions must be converted to permanent structures as specified by the code.
    “mobile home subdivisions shall fully comply with the regulations of this chapter and further be governed by the subdivision regulations of the city.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in the 100-year floodplain inside Texarkana city limits.

    • The Planning Division requires drainage easements and control measures in the 100-year floodplain.
    • The Public Works Department oversees and inspects infrastructure construction for new development and redevelopment.
    • Additional federal, state, and local requirements may apply.
    “the planning division also encourages the preservation of natural channels and requires drainage easements and control measures in the 100-year floodplain.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Development and construction permitting inside Texarkana city limits.

    • The Planning and Zoning Division reviews development proposals, building permits, special-use requests, new construction, subdivisions, and land developments for zoning compliance.
    • The city’s Code Enforcement Division oversees permits for construction, signage, and certain business activities.
    • For new construction or extensive remodeling involving plumbing changes, plans must be submitted to the City Building Inspections Department, Texarkana Water Utilities Engineering Department, and Fire Department for formal review.
    “Permitting and Approvals: Reviewing and approving development proposals, building permits, and special use requests to ensure compliance with zoning laws.”

Rules another office applies inside Texarkana

Texarkana does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Texarkana city limits.

    • Arkansas Department of Health sets statewide policies and works with Environmental Health Specialists in county health departments.
    • The ADH FAQ directs applicants to the health unit in the county where the property is located.
    “Call the health unit in the county where the property is located and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Individual onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Texarkana city limits.

    • An exemption applies to a single residence on ten or more acres when all parts of the sewage system are more than 200 feet from any property line, including roads.
    • The exemption is only from obtaining a permit; the owner must still install and operate the system consistently with state requirements and without causing a nuisance.
    • A letter confirming exemption may be obtained from the local Health Unit.
    “the exemption applies to a single residence located on ten or more acres where all parts of the sewage system are more than 200 feet from any property line, including roads. the exemption is only for obtaining a permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Texarkana or Miller County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from construction permits inside Texarkana city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside Texarkana city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspection requirements inside Texarkana city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Texarkana residential zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Texarkana residential zoning districts.
11 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Texarkana publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Miller County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Miller County: county rules, score and offices