Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Arkansas

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

68Index Score / 100
#62 of 75 in Arkansas

We could not confirm an official residential building-permit requirement for unincorporated Montgomery County, Arkansas, so ask the county before building1. Arkansas building-code standards still apply even in places where permits or inspections are not required2. Septic systems require state review, inspection and approval34.

At a glance

Building permit
No official requirement confirmed; ask the county before building1
Zoning
Countywide zoning could not be confirmed5
Septic permit
Handled by the Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent3
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption is available for your own residence, subject to conditions6
RV / tiny home
Private-land occupancy could not be confirmed; paid parks have separate state rules78
Private well
A county permit requirement could not be confirmed9
Minimum lot size / setbacks
No countywide rule was confirmed5

Who to call

Also useful

Montgomery County government

General county contact for questions about permits, zoning, county-road access and floodplain administration

870-867-3521

105 Highway 270 East Mount Ida, AR 71957

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Montgomery County Local Health Unit

Local Arkansas Department of Health contact for Montgomery County; ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist for septic permitting

(870) 867-2331

346 Luzerne, Mount Ida, AR 71957

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

We could not confirm an official residential building-permit requirement for unincorporated Montgomery County1. Verify the answer before ordering materials or starting work. Arkansas expressly recognizes that some areas have no permit or inspection requirement, yet the state building-code requirements still apply there210. The applicable statewide framework is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its building and residential provisions11. Call Montgomery County government at 870-867-3521 and ask whether your unincorporated parcel needs a residential permit, inspection or certificate of occupancy12. If the parcel is inside a municipality, ask that city separately because a city rule does not establish the rule for unincorporated Montgomery County.

Who handles building and land-use questions in Montgomery County?

No dedicated Montgomery County building, inspection, planning or zoning office could be confirmed. The official Arkansas county portal gives the county's general contact as 870-867-3521 at 105 Highway 270 East in Mount Ida12. Start there and ask which office has jurisdiction over the parcel, then request a written answer on building permits, inspections, occupancy approval, zoning, setbacks, floodplain review and access from a county road. For a driveway entering an Arkansas state highway, the Arkansas Department of Transportation requires an access-driveway permit before work begins on state right-of-way13. The county-road process could not be confirmed, so ask the county contact rather than assuming the state-highway procedure covers a local road.

Does Montgomery County have zoning?

We could not confirm countywide zoning for unincorporated Montgomery County, Arkansas5. That uncertainty also leaves general county rules on minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage and building height unconfirmed. Do not read the absence of a published zoning office as permission for any use. Call Montgomery County government at 870-867-3521 with the parcel number and ask which jurisdiction controls the property12. A property inside Mount Ida or another municipality may face municipal rules that do not apply to unincorporated land. Even where no local land-use rule applies, Arkansas building-code standards remain a separate compliance issue11. An owner building the owner's own residence may qualify for the state contractor-licensing exemption, but that exemption does not erase any applicable code, permit, inspection or zoning requirement6.

How do septic permits work in Montgomery County?

The Arkansas Department of Health handles onsite wastewater systems in Montgomery County, either directly or through an Authorized Agent3. Part I of the state application is the Permit for Construction and must be completed by a Designated Representative and approved before construction begins14. The system must then be inspected and approved, and the owner must receive a Permit for Operation before using it4. Start with the Montgomery County Local Health Unit at (870) 867-2331 and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist15. Soil deserves early attention: only 4.6% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation may materially affect the system design and land budget16. If an available sanitary sewer lies within 300 feet of where the sewer exits the building and connection does not cross another person's property, connection is required instead17.

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

We could not confirm whether Montgomery County allows long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on a single private parcel. Arkansas's health rules answer a narrower question: a parcel with 3 or more paid spaces intended for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes is treated as a regulated park7. Those park rules do not establish permission for one RV or tiny home on private land. Under the same state framework, a tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the Arkansas Plumbing Code and as an RV when it is not18. Before relying on either structure as a residence, ask Montgomery County government about land use and the Montgomery County Local Health Unit about wastewater1215.

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

  1. Call Montgomery County government at 870-867-3521 with the parcel number and confirm jurisdiction, permits, inspections, zoning, setbacks, floodplain review and county-road access12.
  1. Arrange a septic site evaluation early because only 4.6% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field16.
  1. Contact the Montgomery County Local Health Unit at (870) 867-2331 and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist15. Obtain the approved Permit for Construction before installing septic, then pass inspection and receive the Permit for Operation before use144.
  1. Design the home to the applicable Arkansas Fire Prevention Code provisions even if the county confirms that no local permit is required112.
  1. If the driveway enters a state highway, obtain the state access permit before working in the right-of-way13.
  1. If acting as your own contractor, confirm that the state owner-builder licensing exemption fits your project6.

What should you check before buying land in Montgomery County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: only 4.6% of Montgomery County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field16. Terrain also matters, because 51.1% of county land is at a slope of 15% or less, while 83.7% is wooded1920. Verify legal access and identify whether the entrance will meet a county road or state highway; state-highway access requires an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit13. Check flood status with the county because a local floodplain process could not be confirmed. Private-well permitting is also unconfirmed; the state approval rule in the available research covers public and semi-public wells, not a general private domestic well9. For carrying costs, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, the median annual bill is $522, and typical home insurance is about $1,730 per year212223.

Watch-outs

  • An official residential building-permit requirement could not be confirmed; ask Montgomery County government at 870-867-3521 about the rule for your parcel112.
  • Countywide zoning, setbacks, minimum dwelling size and minimum lot size could not be confirmed for unincorporated Montgomery County5.
  • Only 4.6% of Montgomery County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so complete the site evaluation before committing to a house location16.
  • State rules for paid RV and tiny-home parks do not answer whether one RV or tiny home may be occupied on a private parcel7.

Sources

  1. Arkansas.gov - Montgomery County offices (2026 county census)
  2. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  3. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  4. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  5. (2026 county census)
  6. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Montgomery County government (portal.arkansas.gov)
  13. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  15. Arkansas Department of Health - Montgomery County Local Health Unit (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  16. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  17. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  18. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Montgomery County in Arkansas

68
County map
Montgomery County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Montgomery County scores

Seclusion91100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency46100% ev.
Admin Boringness7177% ev.
Durability40100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost85100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$223kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$3,481Land / acre
57.3"Annual rain
11.4% of yrsSevere drought
19.7 / yr (+16)Mid-century 100°F days
17.9 daysMid-century dry spell
2.83" (+7.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.43×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,730Home insurance / yr
-0.3% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
920People within 30 min
358,888People within 2 hr
10,002Radius comparison (15 mi)
11People / sq mi
69.7%Federal land
51.1%Land at 15% slope or less
4.6%Septic soil without severe limits
22,183 acWorkable land screen
83.7%Wooded land
51.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
60.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Montgomery County

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

Arkansas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.

    • Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
    • The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
    “They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    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.

    • A person constructing the person’s own residence is exempt unless the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • An owner of a single-family residence may act as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s own property.
    • The exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not by itself eliminate applicable building-code, permit, inspection, zoning, or other requirements.

    maximum own residences constructed per calendar year before the stated exemption no longer applies: <= 1 residence (The statute states the exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.)

    “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  • 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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted — Arkansas building and residential code framework, including projects in Montgomery County.
      “Part 15. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Rules”
    • 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.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction subject to Arkansas Building Code compliance and any applicable inspection regime.

    • The official statewide source expressly recognizes areas where inspections are not required.
    • Where an inspection is required, the applicable inspection authority and process are not specified by this statewide source.
    “areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.

    • Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
    • The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
    • A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
    “An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
      “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
  • 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.”
  • 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”
    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;”
  • Who permits septicState

    Onsite wastewater systems in Montgomery County and elsewhere in Arkansas.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health may act directly or through an Authorized Agent.
    • Where no Authorized Agent has been designated for a city or county, applications are made to the Department.
    “For those cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent shall be the Authorized Agent of the Department. In the event that an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the Department.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Montgomery County.

    • The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
    • A Permit for Operation must be issued before the system is used.
    • The installation inspection may occur during any phase of installation.
    “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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.

    • Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
    • The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
    • Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
    • Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
    • The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
    “Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
  • Well permitLimited

    Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.

    • Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
    • If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
    • This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
    “Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Premises in Montgomery County where a sanitary sewer is available and the connection can be made without crossing another person's property.

    • All premises must connect to sanitary sewer when it is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building and available to the premises.
    • No privy, onsite wastewater system, or other receptacle for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used in that circumstance.

    sewer distance: <= 300 feet (The sewer must also be available and connection must be possible 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.”
    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.”
  • 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.”
    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;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plans in Arkansas, including Montgomery County subdivisions proposed to use standard onsite wastewater systems.

    • The rule applies to subdivision plans proposing standard onsite wastewater systems for all or part of the lots or tracts.
    • Unsuitable lots or parcels must be incorporated into surrounding lots or parcels.
    • The plans must be submitted to the local health unit and include the listed soil, topography, flood, well, and layout information.

    subdivision plan review fee minimum: 100 USD (For one lot; $25 for each following lot, maximum $1,500.)

    “All subdivision plans, which are proposed to utilize standard onsite wastewater systems as a method of wastewater treatment for all or part of the lots or tracts in said subdivision, shall be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health for review and approval of the overall plan for the utilization of onsite wastewater systems.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
      “Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.

    • No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
    • Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
    • An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
    • Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
    • Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.

    commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)

    “A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
  • 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.”
  • 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%”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Arkansas onsite wastewater permitting for property in Montgomery County.
      “Part I of the Permit is the Permit for Construction. Part I of the Permit Application form shall be completed by a Designated Representative and approved by the Department or its Authorized Agent prior to initiating construction.”
  • 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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Montgomery County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning within Montgomery County; no official aggregate of municipal or other local zoning authorities was located.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts or zoning maps in Montgomery County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Montgomery County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size requirements in Montgomery County.
7 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Manufactured homes
  • 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 Montgomery County, Arkansas

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

Montgomery County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 920 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Montgomery County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (local Montgomery County Health Unit). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

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

Land in Montgomery County runs about $3,481 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County gets about 57.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.4% of years.

How remote is Montgomery County?

A representative private-land location has about 920 people within a 30-minute drive and 358,888 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Montgomery compares in Arkansas

Compare side-by-side →See all 75 Arkansas counties ranked →