Bolthole Index

Pulaski County, Arkansas

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

56Index Score / 100
#74 of 75 in Arkansas

In unincorporated Pulaski County, Arkansas, development in the Lake Maumelle Watershed needs a building permit unless it qualifies through the watershed registration process1. We could not confirm a general building-permit requirement elsewhere in the unincorporated county, so ask Pulaski County Planning & Development about the parcel2. Septic construction and operation require state approval34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for non-registered development in the Lake Maumelle Watershed; ask about other areas1
Zoning
Yes, with separate districts in the Lake Maumelle Watershed5
Septic permits
Permit before construction, inspection, then an operation permit34
Owner-builder exemption
State contractor-license exemption for one self-built residence per calendar year6
Septic soil suitability
13.5% of soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field7
Watershed height limit
36 feet for uses other than detached homes or agriculture8
Sewer connection
Required when an available sewer is within 300 feet and no other property must be crossed9
RV or tiny-home residence
Not confirmed; ask Planning & Development for the parcel's district5

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Pulaski County Planning & Development

Zoning, floodplain development, subdivision review and building/development permits for unincorporated Pulaski County, including the separate Lake Maumelle Watershed zoning and permitting program

501-340-8260

3200 Brown St, Little Rock, AR 72204

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health - Environmental Health (Onsite Wastewater Program)

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) program office, located in Pulaski County, that works with each county's local Environmental Specialist to review and issue septic construction and operation permits

501-6612171

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

Roads & driveways

Pulaski County Road & Bridge Department

Issues driveway permits and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated Pulaski County

501-340-6800

3200 Brown Street, Little Rock, AR 72204

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 Pulaski County, Arkansas?

A building permit is required for development in the unincorporated Lake Maumelle Watershed unless the project is treated as permitted through the watershed registration process1. The county's published application is specifically labeled for the Lake Maumelle Watershed2. We could not confirm a general building-permit requirement for the rest of unincorporated Pulaski County, so give Planning & Development the parcel number and proposed work before relying on the watershed rule elsewhere2. Arkansas building-code minimums still apply statewide in places where permits or inspections are not required10.

Who is the Pulaski County building department, and how do you reach them?

Pulaski County Planning & Development is the first call for zoning, floodplain development, permits and fees2. The office is at 3200 Brown St, Little Rock, and its phone number is 501-340-82602. Planning & Development administers the county zoning ordinance, subdivision rules and the separate Lake Maumelle Watershed code5. A watershed building-permit application goes to the Zoning Administrator, who grants it when the code's approval criteria are met111. For questions involving county roads, the Road & Bridge Department is at the same address and can be reached at 501-340-680012.

Does Pulaski County have zoning?

Pulaski County administers a county zoning ordinance, a Subdivision and Development Code and a separate Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code in unincorporated areas5. The watershed has Conservation, Village, Low Impact Planned Residential Development and Non-Residential districts13. Applicable setbacks and building lines come from the Subdivision and Development Code14. In the watershed, buildings and structures for uses other than detached single-family residential or agricultural use are limited to 36 feet in height8. Before clearing or grading a proposed subdivision, a subdivider must obtain preliminary-plat approval; lots cannot be conveyed until the Planning Board approves and accepts the final plat15.

How do septic permits work in Pulaski County?

Apply for onsite-wastewater approval through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent before septic construction, alteration, repair or extension begins163. After the system passes inspection, the authorized agent issues the operation permit; the system cannot be used before that permit is issued4. An available sanitary sewer must be used when it is within 300 feet of the building's sewer exit and the connection does not cross another person's property9. Only 13.5% of Pulaski County soils avoid a severe USDA limitation for conventional drain fields, so make the site evaluation an early contingency7. The state program works with the local Environmental Specialist17.

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

We could not confirm a county rule allowing long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on a private parcel in unincorporated Pulaski County. Ask Planning & Development whether the parcel's zoning district allows the proposed dwelling and whether the Lake Maumelle Watershed code applies52. Do not treat an RV or tiny house as a way around sanitation rules: where an available sewer must be used, privies, onsite wastewater systems and other receptacles for human waste cannot be constructed, maintained or used on the premises918. State building-code minimums also apply where local permits or inspections are absent10.

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

  1. Give Planning & Development the parcel number and ask which zoning code, district, setbacks and floodplain rules apply52.
  2. If the parcel is in the Lake Maumelle Watershed, determine whether registration is enough or file the building-permit application with the Zoning Administrator1.
  3. Determine whether sanitary sewer service is available within 300 feet under the state connection rule9. If it is not, obtain the septic construction permit, complete the work and pass inspection before using the system34.
  4. Obtain an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit before constructing access to a state highway; ask Road & Bridge about county-road access1912.
  5. Build to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code even if no local permit or inspection applies2010.

What to check before you buy land in Pulaski County

Check the parcel's watershed status, zoning district, setbacks and floodplain status before making the offer5142. Make the offer contingent on an acceptable wastewater plan because only 13.5% of Pulaski County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field7. Verify whether an available sewer lies within 300 feet, since a qualifying connection is mandatory9. Confirm legal road access with the relevant road authority, and remember that state-highway access needs a state permit1912. For a proposed land division, account for preliminary- and final-plat approval before construction or lot sales15.

Watch-outs

  • The documented building-permit rule applies to development in the Lake Maumelle Watershed; ask Planning & Development whether work elsewhere in unincorporated Pulaski County needs a county permit12.
  • Pulaski County's watershed districts and subdivision rules can control setbacks, height, grading and lot sales before construction starts1314815.
  • Arkansas's owner-builder exemption only covers contractor licensing; it does not remove any building-code, permit, inspection or zoning requirement that otherwise applies21.

Sources

  1. Pulaski County Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  2. Pulaski County Planning & Development (pulaskicounty.net)
  3. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  4. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  5. Pulaski County - Planning & Development (Zoning Ordinance) (2026 county census)
  6. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (2026 county census)
  7. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  8. Pulaski County Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  9. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  10. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Pulaski County Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  12. Pulaski County Road & Bridge Department (pulaskicounty.net)
  13. Pulaski County Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  14. Pulaski County Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  15. Pulaski County Subdivision and Development Code, quoted and re-checked
  16. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  17. Arkansas Department of Health - Environmental Health (Onsite Wastewater Program) (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  18. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  19. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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.

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County locator

Pulaski County in Arkansas

56
County map
Pulaski County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Pulaski County scores

Seclusion30100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency68100% ev.
Admin Boringness50100% ev.
Durability53100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% 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 →

$213kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$4,602Land / acre
53.1"Annual rain
8.8% of yrsSevere drought
23.5 / yr (+18.4)Mid-century 100°F days
17.5 daysMid-century dry spell
2.68" (+7.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,029Home insurance / yr
0.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.68%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
359,956People within 30 min
1,717,056People within 2 hr
289,502Radius comparison (15 mi)
527.5People / sq mi
13%Federal land
79.5%Land at 15% slope or less
13.5%Septic soil without severe limits
54,529 acWorkable land screen
64.3%Wooded land
54.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
62°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Pulaski County

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

Pulaski County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Development in the Lake Maumelle Watershed that is not deemed permitted through the registration process.

    • The property owner or agent must file a building-permit application with the Zoning Administrator.
    • The application must include ownership, title, survey or parcel data, legal description, boundaries, proposed uses, and building dimensions.
    • The permit is subject to the zoning code and conditions of any rezoning, conditional-use permit, subdivision plat, or site plan.
    • Construction must commence within one year after the permit’s effective date unless an extension is timely obtained.
    “For any development not deemed permitted pursuant to Section 4.7.A.2., the property owner or agent of the property owner shall file an application for a Building Permit with the Zoning Administrator.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Official zoning districts in the unincorporated Lake Maumelle Watershed.

    • The official zoning map establishes district boundaries.
    • The Planning Director maintains the official zoning map.
    • The documented districts are Conservation, Village, Low Impact Planned Residential Development, and Non-Residential.
    “The following zoning districts are established within the unincorporated portions of the Lake Maumelle Watershed: A. Conservation (C) B. Village (V) C. Low Impact Planned Residential Development (LI) D. Non-Residential (NR)”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Setbacks and building lines in the Lake Maumelle Watershed zoning area where applicable.

    • The code incorporates setback and building-line standards from Chapter 4 of the Pulaski County Subdivision and Development Code.
    • Setback compliance is also a condition of zoning-code enforcement.
    “When applicable, setbacks and building lines are as established in Chapter 4 of the Subdivision and Development Code.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building height in the Lake Maumelle Watershed zoning area.

    • The 36-foot maximum applies to uses other than single-family detached residential or agricultural.
    • The maximum does not apply to an accessory structure to a single-family detached dwelling or an accessory that is part of an agricultural use.
    • Height is measured from finished grade to the highest point where vertical walls meet the roof, subject to stated basement and architectural-feature rules.

    maximum building height: <= 36 feet (Single-family detached residential, agricultural uses, and specified accessory structures are excluded.)

    “The maximum height of a building or structure shall not exceed 36 feet for any use other than single-family detached residential or agricultural.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    All subdivisions of land in the unincorporated portion of Pulaski County, subject to statutory extraterritorial-jurisdiction rules.

    • Preliminary Plat approval is required before construction or ground preparation.
    • Final Plat approval and acceptance are required before conveying lots.
    • Family exclusions may waive ordinance requirements only under the code’s stated conditions, including immediate-family transfer, existing-road access, and septic adequacy.
    “No subdivider within the unincorporated portion of Pulaski County shall proceed with any construction or work on the proposed subdivision, including grading, clearing, or other ground preparations, before obtaining Preliminary Plat approval, and shall not convey title to any lot or lots before obtaining from the Pulaski County Planning Board Final Plat approval and acceptance of the plat.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Pulaski County floodplain development permits in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

    • The permit fee is $25.
    • Additional fees may apply when fill dirt is brought in.
    • The permit is valid for one year.

    floodplain development permit fee: 25 USD (Additional fees may apply if fill dirt is brought in.) · permit validity: 1 year

    “Permits are $25 with some additional fees if residents bring fill dirt. They are valid for one year.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Lake Maumelle Watershed building-permit applications and related county development approvals.

    • A building-permit application is filed with the Zoning Administrator when registration does not deem the development permitted.
    • The application must include the listed ownership, survey or parcel, legal-description, boundary, use, height, and dimension information.
    • The Zoning Administrator approves if the code and applicable rezoning, conditional-use, subdivision, and site-plan conditions are met.
    “The Zoning Administrator shall approve the application and grant the building permit if the criteria in Section 4.7 D. 1. and 2. is met.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Pulaski County Planning & Development administers a countywide Zoning Ordinance (adopted 8-26-2014), a Subdivision and Development Code, and the Lake Maumelle Watershed Zoning Code for unincorporated areas.

    Pulaski County - Planning & Development (Zoning Ordinance) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.

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

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

    “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    State projects in Arkansas.

    • The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
    • Arkansas laws and the applicable subchapter take precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed its requirements.
    • All project designs must comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • Other codes, rules, or standards may apply to a specific project.
    • The department and design professional are responsible for determining all applicable codes for each specific project.
    “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
      “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  • InspectionsLimited

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

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

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

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

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.

    • The rule applies when three or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes and placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing.
    • The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
    • The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
    • Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case and approval is at the Department of Health's discretion.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of a mobile-home or recreational-vehicle park requires prior submission and department approval.
    • Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.

    minimum spaces triggering park regulation: >= 3 spaces (Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.)

    “Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.

    • The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
    • Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
    • The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
    • The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
    • Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
    • Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
    • The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.

    minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)

    “three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
      ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems serving property in Pulaski County.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health sets statewide policy and reviews permit applications with the local Environmental Specialist.
    • If a city or county has an Authorized Agent, that agent acts as the Department’s agent; otherwise applications go to the Department.
    “For those cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent shall be the Authorized Agent of the Department. In the event that an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of onsite wastewater systems serving Pulaski County property.

    • A Permit for Construction is required before work begins.
    • A Permit for Operation is required before operation begins.
    • Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification or issuance only if the required permit is obtained within ten working days.
    • Permits may be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, municipality, or governmental agency to begin construction, alteration, repair, or extension of any onsite wastewater system, owned by any other person, firm, corporation, association, municipality or governmental agency until the owner first obtains a valid Permit for Construction issued by the Department or its Authorized Agent.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite wastewater systems serving Pulaski County property.

    • The installer must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative when the installation is ready.
    • The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access.
    • The installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
    • The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.
    “After approval of the inspection, the Authorized Agent will approve and issue a Permit for Operation. The system shall not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.”
  • 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 and onsite wastewater systems on Pulaski County premises.
      “No privies, onsite wastewater systems or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.”
  • 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 Pulaski County where sanitary sewer is within 300 feet and available without crossing another person’s property.

    • The 300-foot measurement is from the point where the sewer exits a building on the owner’s property.
    • No privy, onsite wastewater system, or other receptacle for human excreta may be constructed, maintained, or used when the connection condition is met.

    sewer distance: <= 300 feet (Only when sewer is available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property.)

    “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
      “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.

    • The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
    • Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
    • The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
    • Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
    • Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.

    exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)

    “Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
      “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  • 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.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.

    • Campsites are limited to eight persons, excluding day-use guests, and one camping unit consisting of no more than two structures.
    • Registration at the park office and payment of the camping fee are required before campers are considered registered.
    • At least one adult age eighteen or older must register for and occupy the campsite during the entire registration period, with exceptions for scout troops, camping groups, or multiple family groups when sufficient adult supervision is provided.
    • Registration must occur at the park office on the day of arrival, and campers must occupy the site by the time the visitor information center closes.
    • Campsite occupancy is limited to fourteen days within a thirty-day period in the same park.
    • A seven-day extension may be granted by the Park Superintendent from April through October when campgrounds are not at capacity.
    • Additional extensions require approval by the Director of the State Parks Division for health problems, relocation, or job reassignment; longer extensions may be granted by Park Superintendents from November through March.
    • Campers may not move between campsites in the same park to evade the limits, because permanent or semi-permanent residence is not permitted in a state park.
    • All vehicles and trailers must be parked on hard surfaces or designated sites.
    • State park camping areas are fee areas for registered campers only.
    • The rule addresses state-park campsites and does not establish a statewide rule for camping on private land or land outside state parks.

    maximum persons per campsite: 8 persons (excluding day-use guests) · maximum camping units per campsite: 1 unit (the unit may consist of no more than two structures) · maximum occupancy: <= 14 days per 30-day period (seven-day extensions and other stated extensions may apply)

    “Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Pulaski County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Pulaski County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in unincorporated Pulaski County.

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 Pulaski County, Arkansas

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

Pulaski County scores 56/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 53.1″/yr rainfall plus 64.3% wooded land. Watch-outs: about 359,956 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Pulaski County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) - 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 Pulaski County?

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

Land in Pulaski County runs about $4,602 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pulaski County?

Pulaski County gets about 53.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.8% of years.

How remote is Pulaski County?

A representative private-land location has about 359,956 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,717,056 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 Pulaski County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Pulaski compares in Arkansas

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