Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bearden, Arkansas

Rules another office applies inside Bearden

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

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, installation, or modification of onsite wastewater systems inside Bearden city limits.

  • The rule requires a construction permit issued by the Department or its authorized agent before construction, alteration, repair, or extension.
  • The rule requires permits for construction and operation before construction, installation, or modification.

  “Permits for construction and operation of onsite wastewater systems shall be obtained in accordance with this part prior to the construction, installation, or modification of the onsite wastewater system.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Operation of onsite wastewater systems inside Bearden city limits.

  • The system cannot be operated until it has been inspected and approved by the Department or authorized agent and the owner has obtained an operation permit.
  • 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: (1) Such system has been inspected and approved by the department or its authorized agent; and (2) The owner has first obtained a permit for operation issued by the department or its authorized agent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Off-grid human-waste disposal inside Bearden city limits.

  • Where the sanitary-sewer distance and availability conditions in 14 CAR § 21-301(a)(1) are met, privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other human-excreta receptacles are prohibited.
  • Otherwise, an onsite system requires the permits and approvals in Part 21.

  “No privies, onsite wastewater systems, or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Premises inside Bearden city limits where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the building sewer exit and available without crossing another person's property.

  • Connection is required only when the stated distance and availability conditions are met.
  • On such premises, no privy, onsite wastewater system, or other receptacle for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used.

  sanitary-sewer distance: <= 300 feet (Measured from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner's property; connection must be available without crossing another person's property.)

  “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Bearden city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Bearden city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside Bearden city limits.
• Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction inside Bearden city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential certificates of occupancy inside Bearden city limits.

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.