Bolthole Index

Pike County, Arkansas

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

78Index Score / 100
#16 of 75 in Arkansas

Unincorporated Pike County, Arkansas has no building, zoning or planning department among its county offices, so there's no countywide permit to pull before you build a house, barn or shop1. There's also no county zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, so the county itself sets no minimum lot size, setback or home-size rule outside its towns2. Septic is the one system that is permitted here, and it runs through the state, not the county: the Arkansas Department of Health's Pike County Local Health Unit issues onsite wastewater permits and inspects installations before they're covered34.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required countywide; Pike County has no building, zoning or planning department1
Zoning
No county zoning ordinance for unincorporated land2
Septic permits
Arkansas Department of Health, Pike County Local Health Unit (Murfreesboro); fees run $30-$150 depending on structure size34
Owner-builder
Exempt from Arkansas residential-contractor licensing when building your own single residence, up to one per calendar year56
State building code
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide as a compliance standard even where no local permit or inspection is required7
Driveway onto a state highway
Needs an Arkansas DOT permit before work starts8
Septic soil difficulty
Only about 4% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field9

Who to call

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Pike County Local Health Unit

Onsite wastewater (septic) system permits, plan review and installation inspections for Pike County

(870) 285-3154

15 Caddo Dr, Murfreesboro, AR 71958

Also useful

Pike County Judge's Office

General county government; Pike County lists no separate building, zoning, planning or floodplain office, so the County Judge's office is the county's central administrative contact

(870) 285-2414

[email protected]

PO Box 239, Murfreesboro, AR 71958

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 Pike County, Arkansas?

No. Pike County's official website lists only its constitutional offices (Judge, Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, Sheriff, Coroner) with no building, inspection or permitting department, consistent with most rural Arkansas counties1. Arkansas counties are legally allowed to adopt a permit program under state law, but nothing on Pike County's site shows it has adopted one1. That doesn't mean there's no standard at all: the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its residential volume, applies statewide as a compliance standard "even in areas when no permit or inspections are required," so the code itself still governs construction quality even though no one in Pike County is checking for it at the permit counter7.

Who do you call about building and land questions in Pike County?

There's no building department to call, because Pike County doesn't run one1. For septic, the office is the Arkansas Department of Health's Pike County Local Health Unit in Murfreesboro, which administers onsite wastewater permits statewide on the county's behalf1011. For everything else, the County Judge's office is Pike County's central administrative office and the practical starting point, since the county lists no dedicated zoning, planning or road department separate from it12. If your access point is a state highway rather than a county or local road, that's a different call again: the Arkansas Department of Transportation requires its own permit before any access driveway is built, reconstructed or modified on state highway right-of-way8.

Does Pike County have zoning?

Not countywide. Pike County's official site shows no zoning or planning office, meaning unincorporated land here isn't governed by a county zoning ordinance2. That's real, but it isn't the same as a confirmed "anything goes": no official Pike County page states a minimum lot size, setback distance, building-height limit or minimum dwelling size for unincorporated land, and none states a rule for RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings2. Treat that as unconfirmed rather than as permission, and call the County Judge's office to check before you assume a use is unrestricted12.

How do septic permits work in Pike County?

Every onsite wastewater system in Pike County needs a permit before construction, alteration, repair or extension begins, issued through the Arkansas Department of Health's Pike County Local Health Unit410. The individual permit review fee scales with the size of the structure it serves: $30 for 1,500 square feet or less, $45 up to 2,000 square feet, $90 up to 3,000 square feet, $120 up to 4,000 square feet, and $150 above that, with a flat $30 fee to alter, repair or extend an existing system4. Once installed, the system must be inspected and approved, and the owner must get a separate Permit for Operation before using it — the installer is required to notify the health unit when the installation is ready and to submit installation paperwork within five days13. Soils make this more than paperwork here: only about 4% of Pike County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, among the toughest septic soils tracked for this guide, so budget for a site evaluation and likely an alternative system design9. If a sanitary sewer is available within 300 feet of the building and reachable without crossing another person's property, state rule requires connecting to it instead of installing an onsite system14.

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

This isn't confirmed by an official Pike County source, and having no zoning ordinance doesn't settle it — no county page addresses RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land2. What is confirmed is different from a private-land answer: Arkansas state parks, including camping facilities in or serving Pike County, cap campsite occupancy at 14 days within any 30-day period and explicitly bar establishing a semi-permanent or permanent residence in the park15. That state-park rule says nothing about a camper or RV on your own unincorporated land, so before you plan to live in one full-time here, call the County Judge's office to ask directly12.

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

  1. Confirm your parcel is unincorporated. Pike County's towns, including the county seat Murfreesboro, may run their own building and zoning rules that don't show up in this guide, since city rules never apply outside their own limits2.
  2. Get a soil evaluation early. With only about 4% of the county's soils free of severe septic limitations, expect to need an engineered or alternative system design rather than a standard drain field9.
  3. Apply for an onsite wastewater permit with the Pike County Local Health Unit before construction begins, and budget for the plan review fee based on your structure's square footage104.
  4. Schedule the installation inspection. The installer must notify the health unit when the system is ready and submit paperwork within five days; you'll need a Permit for Operation before using the system13.
  5. If your access is a state highway, apply for an Arkansas DOT driveway permit before starting any work in the right-of-way8.
  6. Build. Because there's no county building department, there's no county building permit, inspection or certificate of occupancy to schedule for a single-family home outside a municipality1. If you're building your own home yourself, Arkansas's residential-contractor licensing law exempts an owner constructing his or her own residence, as long as it's no more than one residence in a calendar year6.

What to check before you buy land in Pike County

Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside a Pike County town, since only the towns are likely to run their own permitting2. Get a soil evaluation before you count on a conventional septic field: only about 4% of the county's soils are free of severe limitations for a standard drain field, so an alternative system is the likely outcome, and that costs more than a standard trench system9. If a sanitary sewer already runs near the lot, check the 300-foot rule, since state rule requires connecting to it instead of installing a new onsite system14. Ask about access: a driveway onto a state highway needs an Arkansas DOT permit before any work begins8. And budget for property tax: Pike County's effective rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual bill near $645 — among the lower property-tax burdens tracked for this guide1617.

Watch-outs

  • No official Pike County source confirms or denies a rule on RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, minimum lot size, setbacks or building height for unincorporated land — call the County Judge's office before you build or move onto a parcel2.
  • Pike County's soils are among the toughest tracked for septic: only about 4% are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so plan and budget for an alternative system before you commit to a site9.

Sources

  1. Pike County, Arkansas Official Website (2026 county census)
  2. Pike County, Arkansas Official Website (2026 county census)
  3. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (2026 county census)
  4. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  5. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (2026 county census)
  6. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes, quoted and re-checked
  7. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  10. Arkansas Department of Health, Pike County Local Health Unit (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  11. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  12. Pike County Judge's Office (pikecountyar.org)
  13. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  14. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  15. Pike County Arkansas | Pike County, quoted and re-checked
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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County locator

Pike County in Arkansas

78
County map
Pike County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Pike County scores

Seclusion83100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.
Admin Boringness85100% ev.
Durability48100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% 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 →

$180kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,015Land / acre
57.1"Annual rain
12.1% of yrsSevere drought
19.7 / yr (+16.1)Mid-century 100°F days
18 daysMid-century dry spell
2.89" (+4.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.43×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,742Home insurance / yr
0.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.37%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
5,716People within 30 min
585,944People within 2 hr
10,913Radius comparison (15 mi)
17People / sq mi
5.3%Federal land
81.5%Land at 15% slope or less
4%Septic soil without severe limits
14,614 acWorkable land screen
80.1%Wooded land
33.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
61.5°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Pike County

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

Pike County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    No county-wide zoning office or ordinance exists; the county has no planning/zoning department and zoning is handled only at the municipal level.

    Pike County, Arkansas Official Website ↗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.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-builders and owners acting as their own home-improvement contractors under Arkansas residential-contractor licensing law; this source addresses contractor licensing, not whether a local building permit is required.

    • A person acting as a residential building contractor is exempt for construction of his or her own residence unless he or she builds more than one residence during a 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.
    • The cited exemption is from the licensing requirements of the residential-contractors subchapter and does not itself establish an exemption from county or municipal permits, inspections, zoning, or other code requirements.

    maximum residences constructed by the person per calendar year under paragraph (1): <= 1 residence (The exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during any calendar year.)

    “A person who acts as a residential building contractor [...] unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
    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;”
  • 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 (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas; the cited rule does not itself establish Pike County’s local adoption or enforcement program.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted”
    • 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.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in Arkansas subdivisions using drip dispersal design to determine minimum lot size for onsite wastewater systems, including applicable Pike County properties.

    • The rule applies to subdivisions using drip dispersal design for onsite wastewater systems.
    • Minimum depth to bedrock must meet Section 7.2.2.
    • Primary and secondary absorption areas must be flagged on contour.
    • The legal description of the primary and secondary absorption areas must be included in the legal description of the lots.

    minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acres (Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size.)

    “Lots using drip dispersal design [...] shall be 0.5 acres or larger.”
  • 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 Pike County, including construction, operation, inspection, and permitting.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent administers the onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
    • If no authorized agent has been designated for a city or county, applications must be made to the Department.
    “applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of onsite wastewater systems in Pike County.

    • Construction, installation, or modification requires permits before work begins.
    • Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification to the authorized agent, but a permit must be obtained within ten working days.
    • A permit may be refused where public sewer systems are reasonably available or economically feasible, except as provided in Section 3.4 and except for emergency repairs described in the rule.
    • The plan review fee must be paid before issuance of Part 1; the fee is nonrefundable if the applicant does not proceed; construction must begin within one year or the permit must be revalidated.
    • Individual permit review fees are $30 for structures of 1,500 square feet or less; $45 for over 1,500 through 2,000 square feet; $90 for over 2,000 through 3,000 square feet; $120 for over 3,000 through 4,000 square feet; $150 for over 4,000 square feet; and $30 for alteration, repair, or extension of an individual sewage disposal system.

    emergency permit deadline: 10 working days (Emergency repairs may be undertaken without prior issuance of a permit, provided the permit is subsequently obtained within this period.) · individual permit review fee for structure up to 1500 square feet: 30 USD · individual permit review fee for structure over 1500 and up to 2000 square feet: 45 USD · individual permit review fee for structure over 2000 and up to 3000 square feet: 90 USD · individual permit review fee for structure over 3000 and up to 4000 square feet: 120 USD · individual permit review fee for structure over 4000 square feet: 150 USD · individual alteration, repair, or extension review fee: 30 USD · permit construction-start period: 1 year (The permit must be revalidated if construction does not begin within one year.)

    “owner first obtains a valid permit for construction”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Operation of onsite wastewater systems in Pike County.

    • The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
    • The owner must obtain a Permit for Operation before the system may be used.
    • The installer must notify the authorized agent or designated representative when the installation is ready for inspection.
    • The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access for inspection.
    • The installer must submit required installation documentation to the local health unit within five days.
    • Inspection may be performed by the authorized agent or, with the authorized agent's approval, by the designated representative.

    installer documentation deadline: 5 days

    “Such system has been inspected and approved”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta on premises in Pike County.
      “No privies, onsite wastewater systems or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed”
  • 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 hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Premises in Pike County where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building, is available to the premises, and connection can be made without crossing another person's property.

    • All premises meeting the 300-foot, availability, and property-crossing conditions must connect to sanitary sewer.
    • No privies, onsite wastewater systems, or other receptacles for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used on premises subject to the sewer-connection rule.

    sewer distance threshold: <= 300 feet (The sewer must also be available and connection must be possible without crossing another person's property.)

    “connected to a sanitary sewer when within 300 feet”
    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)

    Arkansas subdivisions in Pike County that propose standard onsite wastewater systems for all or part of the lots or tracts.

    • Plans must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health for review and approval.
    • Unsuitable lots or parcels must be incorporated into surrounding lots or parcels.
    • Green or community space must be identified and will not be assigned a lot number or considered in subdivision approval.
    • Submission must be made to the local health unit and include soil-pit data, percolation tests if applicable, test locations, topography, and other information required for review.
    • Plan review fee is at least $100 for one lot, $25 for each following lot, capped at $1,500.
    • All subdivision plans must include the listed maps, layouts, absorption-area information, contours, well locations where applicable, flood-zone determination, three copies, and other Section 5.1.4 materials.
    • All lots will be designed for three-bedroom residences unless otherwise indicated.
    • Public-water subdivisions require detailed engineering plans and specifications submitted by a licensed Arkansas engineer to the Arkansas Department of Health Engineering Section.

    plan review fee for one lot: >= 100 USD · plan review fee for each following lot: 25 USD (Maximum total plan review fee is $1,500.) · maximum plan review fee: 1500 USD

    “Arkansas Department of Health for review and approval”
    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”
  • 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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — RV occupancy at Arkansas state-park campsites, including state-park camping facilities in or serving Pike County.
      “Campsites are limited to occupancy by eight (8) persons, excluding day use guests, and one (1) camping unit, which may consist of no more than two (2) structures, such as: [...] One (1) RV and one (1) large tent or two (2) small tents;”
    • Limited — Temporary camping at Arkansas state-park campsites, including state-park camping facilities in or serving Pike County.
      “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.

  • Local zoning — Zoning administered by Pike County or municipalities within Pike County.
  • Zoning districts — Countywide publication or administration of zoning districts in Pike County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirements in unincorporated Pike County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in unincorporated Pike County.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements in unincorporated Pike County.
3 more unanswered
  • 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 Pike County, Arkansas

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

Pike County scores 78/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

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

Pike 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 Program (Pike County Local 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 Pike County?

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

Land in Pike County runs about $3,015 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pike County?

Pike County gets about 57.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.1% of years.

How remote is Pike County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,716 people within a 30-minute drive and 585,944 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 Pike County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Pike compares in Arkansas

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