Pope County, AR Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Pope County, Arkansas has no confirmed countywide building-permit answer for unincorporated land, but Arkansas building-code minimums still apply even where permits or inspections are not required.¹ County zoning is also unconfirmed, so ask the Pope County Judge's Office about the parcel before building.² Septic construction and operation require state permits through the Arkansas Department of Health and the county health unit's onsite specialist.³

At a glance

Building permit: Not confirmed for unincorporated areas; statewide code minimums still apply¹
Zoning: Countywide zoning is not confirmed; ask the County Judge's Office²⁴
Septic permit: Issued by the state (Arkansas Dept. of Health), via your county health unit³
Owner-builder: Contractor-license exemption for your own home; energy-code compliance is voluntary for a self-builder's own home⁵⁶
Public sewer: Connection required when qualifying access is within 300 feet⁷
RV or tiny home: Private-land occupancy is unconfirmed; paid parks with 3 or more spaces are state-regulated⁸⁹
State highway driveway permit: Required from the state before connecting to a state highway¹⁰
Floodplain work: Ask which local floodplain rules apply; state-department projects have a separate permit program¹¹

Who to call

Roads & driveways

Pope County Judge's Office

Pope County's chief executive office: operates the county road system, administers county ordinances, has custody of county property, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Road Department, EMS, 911 and emergency management for the unincorporated county

(479) 968-7487

[email protected]

100 W. Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) system policy and permit-application review, in cooperation with the local environmental specialist at each county health department, including Pope County

501-661-2171

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

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

We could not confirm whether unincorporated Pope County requires a county building permit or which office would issue one.¹² Arkansas building-code requirements are mandatory statewide minimums, including in rural and unincorporated areas, even where no permit or inspection is required.¹ The statewide source identifies the Arkansas Building Code as the 2012 Edition, while a separate Arkansas Fire Prevention Code source identifies the 2021 Edition for covered new structures and alterations; ask the authority handling your project which code volume and edition governs.¹¹³ Before starting work, ask the Pope County Judge's Office whether a county ordinance, inspection, or other approval applies to the parcel.⁴

Who handles permits in Pope County, and how do you reach them?

Pope County's confirmed starting point for unincorporated-county questions is the Pope County Judge's Office at 100 W. Main St, Russellville, AR 72801, phone (479) 968-7487 and email [email protected].⁴ The office operates the county road system, administers Quorum Court ordinances and oversees the Road Department, emergency services and emergency management.⁴ Ask that office which authority handles a building permit, inspection, floodplain review, subdivision approval or county-road entrance for the specific parcel, because we could not confirm a Pope County process for those approvals.¹²² A driveway on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way has a separate state permit through the district engineer, and work cannot begin on the right-of-way before that permit is issued.¹⁰

Does Pope County have zoning?

We could not confirm whether zoning applies across unincorporated Pope County.² Ask the Pope County Judge's Office whether the parcel is subject to zoning, subdivision controls, setbacks, minimum dwelling size or another land-use ordinance before relying on a seller's description.⁴ Arkansas subdivision plats that create parcels must be filed with the State Surveyor after applicable city or county recording requirements are met.¹⁴ A proposed subdivision using standard onsite wastewater systems must also go to the Arkansas Department of Health for review; the plan must address soils, lot layout, wells where applicable and the FEMA flood-zone determination, and unsuitable land must be folded into surrounding lots rather than approved as a separate lot.¹⁵ Those state reviews do not answer whether Pope County has a separate zoning or subdivision ordinance.

How do septic permits work in Pope County?

The Arkansas Department of Health permits septic systems in Pope County and works with the county health unit's onsite environmental specialist.³ Submit the application and plans before construction; the state process moves from the Permit for Construction through installation inspection to the Permit for Operation, and the system cannot be used until the operating permit is issued.¹⁶ Only 7.1% of Pope County soils avoid a severe limitation rating for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early contingency rather than assuming a house site will work.¹⁷ Public sewer connection is required when the building's sewer exit is within 300 feet of qualifying access on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley; otherwise, an individual system remains subject to state onsite-wastewater rules.⁷

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

We could not confirm a Pope County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV living or tiny-home occupancy on a private parcel.² Ask the Pope County Judge's Office about land-use rules and the Arkansas Department of Health about wastewater before moving onto the land.⁴³ Arkansas separately regulates a paid parcel as a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park when it has 3 or more spaces intended for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes and provides placement or maintenance services.⁸ Under those park rules, a tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home if plumbed and inspected under the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, and as an RV if it is not.¹⁸ Those park rules do not settle whether one RV or tiny house may be occupied on private Pope County land.⁹

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

Ask the Pope County Judge's Office which county land-use, building, floodplain, subdivision and county-road approvals apply to the parcel.⁴
Confirm the responsible building-code authority and design to Arkansas's statewide minimums even if the project needs no permit or inspection.¹
Determine whether qualifying public sewer access is within 300 feet; if it is, connection is required.⁷
If sewer is not required, submit the septic application and plans before construction and obtain the Permit for Construction through the Arkansas Department of Health process.¹⁶
Obtain the district engineer's permit before doing driveway work on state highway right-of-way.¹⁰
If acting as your own contractor, use the contractor-license exemption only for your own residence and no more than one residence in a calendar year; the exemption does not waive other rules.⁵
Complete the septic installation inspection and obtain the Permit for Operation before using the system.¹⁶

What to check before you buy land in Pope County

Make the purchase contract contingent on septic feasibility: only 7.1% of Pope County soils avoid a severe limitation rating for a conventional drain field.¹⁷ Confirm whether public sewer is close enough to require connection before paying for an onsite-system design.⁷ Check the FEMA flood zone and ask the Pope County Judge's Office which floodplain administrator and local permit process cover the parcel; Arkansas separately requires floodplain review for development subject to the Building Authority Division program, including covered construction, grading, paving and storage.¹¹ Verify legal access and identify whether the entrance meets a county road or state highway, because state-right-of-way work needs a district engineer's permit.¹⁰ Finally, confirm boundaries and any land-division history: subdivision plats creating parcels have state filing requirements, and subdivisions relying on onsite wastewater need health-department review.¹⁴¹⁵

Watch-outs

Pope County's building-permit and countywide-zoning answers remain unconfirmed; ask the County Judge's Office about the parcel, while treating statewide building-code minimums as applicable.¹²²¹⁴
Arkansas makes energy-code compliance voluntary for a builder constructing a single-family home for personal occupancy, but that narrow rule does not waive building-code, permit, inspection, zoning or septic requirements.⁶
A state floodplain rule in the available material covers projects subject to the Building Authority Division program; it does not by itself identify Pope County's permit office or establish the private-parcel process, so ask the County Judge's Office who administers the local floodplain review.¹¹⁴

Sources

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Pope County scores

Seclusion64100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency62100% ev.

Admin Boringness6677% ev.

Durability48100% ev.

Property Autonomy47100% ev.

Carry Cost83100% 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 →

$216kTypical home

0.6%Property tax

$3,861Land / acre

52.1"Annual rain

8.1% of yrsSevere drought

20.2 / yr (+15.6)Mid-century 100°F days

17.9 daysMid-century dry spell

2.54" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.49×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,674Home insurance / yr

1.5% / yrInsurance growth

0.39%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

23,123People within 30 min

1,463,681People within 2 hr

71,520Radius comparison (15 mi)

79.6People / sq mi

40.2%Federal land

65.7%Land at 15% slope or less

7.1%Septic soil without severe limits

33,155 acWorkable land screen

73.2%Wooded land

49 tonsBiomass / forest ac

59.7°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Pope County

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

Pope County rules

Who permits septicArkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program
Onsite wastewater (septic) systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health; installing a new system requires a Permit for Construction and a Permit for Operation, obtained through the county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist.
Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
- Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where no permit is required.
- The source does not establish a universal statewide building-permit requirement; applicable permit requirements may depend on the responsible local or other code authority.
“They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
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;”
Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Builders who build or contract to build single-family buildings for their own occupancy under the Arkansas Energy Code.
  “Compliance with this Code by builders who build, or contract to build, single-family buildings for their own occupancy is voluntary.”
  Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
State projects in Arkansas.
- The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
- Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
- All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
- Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
- The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
“The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted — Arkansas Building Code requirements applicable in Pope County, including rural and unincorporated areas.
  “Arkansas Building Codes are mandatory statewide minimums.”
  State of Arkansas Home Improvement Application and Test Information ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
  “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
  2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
- Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
  “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  22 CAR § 111-407. Building codes adopted ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Construction subject to Arkansas Building Code compliance and any applicable inspection regime.
- The official statewide source expressly recognizes areas where inspections are not required.
- Where an inspection is required, the applicable inspection authority and process are not specified by this statewide source.
“areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
Home Improvement Contractor License Application ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.
- Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
- The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
- A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
“An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
6 CAR § 31-425. Charter school facilities ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
  “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
  DBA Project Closeout Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
- The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
- Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)
“Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Tiny homesLimited
Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.
- The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
- Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
- The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
- The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
- Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
- Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
- The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.
minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)
“three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
  ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.
- Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
- The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
- Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
- Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
- The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
“Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Well permitLimited
Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
- Written approval from the Arkansas Department of Health is required before construction begins.
- If the well's public or semi-public status is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination from the Department of Health before construction.
- This claim does not establish a general construction-permit requirement for private domestic wells.
“Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
Homes and businesses in Pope County where the building sewer exit is within 300 feet of qualifying public sewer access.
- Connection to public sewer is required when the point where the sewer exits the building is within 300 feet of access located on the owner’s property or an adjacent street or alley.
- Individual sewage systems remain subject to Arkansas onsite-wastewater rules where public sewer connection is not required or available.
public sewer access distance: 300 feet (owner’s property or adjacent street or alley)
“Connection to a public sewer system is required of all homes and businesses”
20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
  “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  14 CAR § 21-301. Generally ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionConditional
State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.
- The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
- Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
- The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
- Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
- Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.
exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)
“Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
Farm Utility Exemption Notice and Agricultural, Aquaculture and Horticulture Utility Exemption Application ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
  “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Subdividing landLimited
Subdivision plans in Pope County that use standard onsite wastewater systems for some or all lots or tracts.
- Plans must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health for review and approval of onsite-wastewater utilization.
- Unsuitable lots or parcels must be incorporated into surrounding lots or parcels.
- Green or community space is not assigned a lot number or counted in approval.
- The cited rule requires specified plan data, including soil information, lot layout, wells where applicable, and FEMA flood-zone determination.
subdivision plan review fee minimum: 100 USD (for one lot) · additional lot review fee: per 25 USD (each following lot) · subdivision plan review fee maximum: 1500 USD
“submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health”
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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 [...]”
  15 CAR § 281-301. Publication of results ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.
- No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
- Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
- An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
- Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
- Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.
commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)
“A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.
- The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
- The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
- The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
- Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
- The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
- The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
- For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
- For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.
minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations
“When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Development subject to the Arkansas Building Authority Division floodplain-management program, including covered work in Pope County.
  “Developments subject to the Building Authority Division floodplain management program”
  22 CAR § 111-703. Development subject to permitting requirements ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.
- The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
- For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
- Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.
basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition
“$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
22 CAR § 111-212. Design services fee schedule ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
22 CAR § 111-705. Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Partial — Onsite-wastewater permit process applicable in Pope County.
  “Part III of the Permit is the Permit for Operation.”
  Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
- Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
- Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
- At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
- Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
- A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
- Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
- Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
- All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
- State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
- The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.
maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)
“Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
22 CAR § 50-108. Camping rules, fee collection, registration, and reservations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Still unanswered

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

County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Pope County, including unincorporated areas.
Local zoning — Local zoning across Pope County and its municipalities.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Pope County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Pope County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size under county or local land-use rules in Pope 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 Pope County, Arkansas

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

Pope County scores 70/100 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 Pope County, Arkansas?

Pope County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones). Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program. 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 Pope County?

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

Land in Pope County runs about $3,861 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pope County?

Pope County gets about 52.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.1% of years.

How remote is Pope County?

A representative private-land location has about 23,123 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,463,681 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Pope County, Arkansas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles permits in Pope County, and how do you reach them?

Does Pope County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Pope County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Pope County

Watch-outs

Sources

Pope County in Arkansas

How Pope County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Pope County

Pope County rules

Arkansas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Pope County, Arkansas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Pope County, Arkansas?

What is the water situation in Pope County?

How remote is Pope County?

How Pope compares in Arkansas