Bolthole Index

Sharp County, Arkansas

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

80Index Score / 100
#9 of 75 in Arkansas

Unincorporated Sharp County, Arkansas does not require a building permit for a home, and the county has not adopted a zoning ordinance for unincorporated land12. Septic system permits still go through the Arkansas Department of Health, not the county3. If you're building your own house, Arkansas's contractor-licensing law exempts you as an owner-builder as long as you don't build more than one house a year4. The incorporated resort community of Cherokee Village, which sits partly in Sharp County, is the exception: it has its own zoning and building-permit process5.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Sharp County1
Zoning
No countywide zoning ordinance; only an unenforced interim land-use plan2
Septic permits
Arkansas Department of Health, through the local health unit3
Owner-builder
Exempt from contractor licensing on your own home, up to one residence per year64
Septic lot sizing
No fixed acreage minimum; sized to soil suitability on each lot7
Effective property tax rate
About 0.6%8
Population density
About 30 people per square mile9

Who to call

Also useful

Sharp County Judge's Office

General county administration (Sharp County Judge) for unincorporated Sharp County; there is no separate county building or zoning department, so this is the main number for anything this guide can't confirm online.

870-994-7338

U.S. Highway 167 North, Ash Flat, AR 72513

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Sharp County local health unit)

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits for Sharp County, issued through the local county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist under the statewide Arkansas Department of Health program.

1-800-462-0599

4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867

Building permits

Cherokee Village City Hall

Building permits and Planning & Zoning matters within Cherokee Village city limits only, not unincorporated Sharp County. Cherokee Village straddles Sharp and Fulton counties.

870-257-5522

[email protected]

2 Santee Dr., Cherokee Village, AR 72529

Online permits →

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 Sharp County, Arkansas?

Unincorporated Sharp County does not require a building permit to construct a home, garage, barn or other structure1. The county's ordinance chapter that would normally cover building regulation is marked "Reserved," meaning the quorum court has not adopted a local building code or permit program1. Arkansas counties are allowed to adopt a permit program under state law, but Sharp County simply has not1. That does not mean construction is unregulated: the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including the residential code, applies statewide as a compliance standard even in areas where no local permit or inspection is required10. If you build inside Cherokee Village, which covers part of Sharp County, the city does require a building permit and reviews applications through its own online portal5.

Who handles permitting and county government in Sharp County?

Sharp County has no separate building department, so there is no dedicated permit office to call about unincorporated land1. The Sharp County Judge's office is the county's general point of contact for county government, and its listed number is the same one the state's own county directory publishes for Sharp County11. Call that office to confirm any current local requirement this guide could not verify online, including anything specific to your parcel. If your land is inside Cherokee Village instead, contact Cherokee Village City Hall: it handles that city's zoning applications and building permits, and applications submitted through its online portal are reviewed within 2 to 3 business days512. Cherokee Village straddles Sharp and Fulton counties, so confirm which county your specific parcel sits in before you call12.

Does Sharp County have zoning?

Sharp County has not adopted a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land; the county's only land-use document on file is an interim policy plan, not a zoning ordinance with districts and a map2. No official Sharp County webpage we could load confirms this directly, so treat it as the county's likely current status rather than a guarantee, and confirm with the Sharp County Judge's office before you rely on it11. Without a zoning ordinance, unincorporated Sharp County has no county-set minimum home size, no county setback rule and no district-based restriction on RVs or tiny homes that this guide could confirm2. Cherokee Village is the opposite case: it is a zoned municipality that charges a rezoning fee of $250 and a special-use-permit fee of $25 under its own city ordinance13. If a parcel you're considering falls inside Cherokee Village's limits, plan on dealing with that city's planning and zoning process instead of the county's12.

How do septic permits work in Sharp County?

Every septic system in Sharp County is permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health, not the county, because Arkansas centralizes onsite wastewater permitting statewide314. To get a permit, call the local health unit that covers Sharp County and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist, the same statewide process the Department of Health publishes for every county15. Every lot using a septic system, including subdivision lots, needs suitable primary and secondary absorption areas sized to the property's actual soil data, and a subdivision can't start construction until the Department of Health approves the onsite-wastewater plan for the whole subdivision716. That soil dependency matters here: only about 10% of Sharp County's soils are free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so plan on an early site evaluation and budget for an engineered system if your soil doesn't perc17. If your property has access to a public sewer within 300 feet of where your building's sewer line exits, Arkansas rules require you to connect to that sewer instead of installing a septic system18.

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

No official Sharp County rule confirms or restricts living in an RV or tiny home on your own unincorporated land, and the county has no zoning ordinance that would set that limit2. Arkansas does regulate commercial recreational-vehicle parks, but only parks with three or more RV, tiny-house-on-wheels or mobile-home spaces offered for a fee, which is a different situation from one family living in an RV on land they own19. A tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home under Arkansas plumbing rules if it's plumbed and inspected to the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, and as a recreational vehicle if it isn't, but that classification governs regulated parks, not a single home on private land20. Because Sharp County has no building permit requirement and no zoning for unincorporated land, there's no county permit process standing in your way, but there's also no official confirmation that long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy is explicitly allowed12. Call the Sharp County Judge's office to ask about any current local expectations before you move onto raw land11.

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

  1. Confirm your parcel is outside Cherokee Village and any other municipal limits; incorporated areas have their own permit and zoning rules that override this guide12.
  2. Get a soil evaluation and septic permit from the Arkansas Department of Health before you finalize your building site, since only about 10% of Sharp County's soils are free of severe septic limitations173.
  3. If your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply for an access driveway permit from the Arkansas Department of Transportation before construction; commercial-style approaches generally require at least a $1,000 deposit or bond21.
  4. Because Sharp County has no building permit or inspection program for unincorporated land, you won't file plans with a county building department, but you're still responsible for meeting the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code as a statewide compliance standard110.
  5. If you're acting as your own contractor, keep your project inside the state's owner-builder exemption, which covers one residence per calendar year4.
  6. Call the Sharp County Judge's office to confirm there's no current local requirement this guide couldn't verify, especially around road access11.

What to check before you buy land in Sharp County

Budget for a septic system, not a sewer hookup, unless your parcel is within 300 feet of an existing public sewer line, in which case Arkansas rules require you to connect instead18. Get a soil evaluation before you commit to a purchase: only about 10% of Sharp County's soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, while roughly 79% of the county's land sits at a gentle enough slope, 15% or less, to make building easier, and the two factors don't always line up on the same parcel1722. Sharp County is heavily wooded, at about 74% forest cover, so factor in clearing costs and check with the Sharp County Judge's office about any burn restrictions before you plan to clear land by fire2311. The county sits about 107 miles from the nearest metro area and has a population density of roughly 30 people per square mile, so expect rural service levels for utilities, internet and emergency response249. Typical property taxes run about $548 a year on an effective rate near 0.6%, and the typical home value is around $149,000, both well below national norms25826.

Watch-outs

  • Sharp County's own web presence is a single page on the state's arkansas.gov county portal, not an independent county website, and it names only the Assessor and Collector directly; confirm anything time-sensitive by phone with the Sharp County Judge's office11.
  • Whether Sharp County's interim land-use plan carries any enforceable weight is not stated on an official county webpage we could load; treat "no zoning" as our best current read, not a guarantee2.
  • Cherokee Village straddles Sharp and Fulton counties, so a parcel that looks like it's in Cherokee Village may actually sit in Fulton County; confirm the county before you rely on this guide12.

Sources

  1. Sharp County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 (2026 county census)
  2. Sharp County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 (2026 county census)
  3. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater FAQs (2026 county census)
  4. Residential Contractor Law revised July 2025, quoted and re-checked
  5. Cherokee Village Citizen Portal, quoted and re-checked
  6. Residential Contractor Law revised July 2025 (2026 county census)
  7. 14 CAR § 21-301. Generally, quoted and re-checked
  8. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  9. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  10. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Sharp County Judge's Office (portal.arkansas.gov)
  12. Cherokee Village City Hall (cherokeevillage.gov)
  13. Cherokee Village Ordinance No. 99-2, quoted and re-checked
  14. 20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste, quoted and re-checked
  15. Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Sharp County local health unit) (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  16. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. 20 CAR § 131-106. Treatment and disposal of human waste, quoted and re-checked
  19. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  20. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  21. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Typical home value (Zillow): 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

Sharp County in Arkansas

80
County map
Sharp County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Sharp County scores

Seclusion88100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency65100% ev.
Admin Boringness89100% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost86100% 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 →

$149kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,164Land / acre
50.4"Annual rain
7.9% of yrsSevere drought
23.4 / yr (+18.4)Mid-century 100°F days
17.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.25" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.62×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,577Home insurance / yr
0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.82%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
3,064People within 30 min
463,359People within 2 hr
18,345Radius comparison (15 mi)
29.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
79.3%Land at 15% slope or less
10%Septic soil without severe limits
38,350 acWorkable land screen
74%Wooded land
37.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.3°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Sharp County

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

Sharp County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The county has adopted only an Interim Land Use Policy Plan (Ord. 1998-016); no actual zoning ordinance with districts/map has been adopted for the unincorporated area.

    Sharp County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 ↗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

    Arkansas residential contractor licensing requirements, including work performed in Sharp County.

    • A person constructing their own residence is exempt unless they build more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • An owner of a single-family residence acting as their own home-improvement contractor on their own property is exempt.
    • Projects costing no more than $2,000 are exempt, but the exemption does not apply when work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of less than $2,000.
    • This is a contractor-licensing exemption and does not establish exemption from any building, zoning, fire, or other permit requirement.

    project cost threshold: <= 2000 USD (The exception does not apply to projects divided into separate contracts of less than $2,000.) · owner-built residences per calendar year: <= 1 residence (More than one residence during a calendar year is not covered by the residence exemption.)

    “The owner of a single family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property;”
    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.”
    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.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots, tracts, and parcels using onsite wastewater systems in Sharp County, including subdivision lots.

    • The lot must have suitable primary and secondary absorption areas.
    • The onsite wastewater system must be sized according to natural soil data.
    • Approval depends on soil suitability; the rule does not state a single acreage minimum in this provision.

    primary absorption area: required · secondary absorption area: required

    “All lots, tracts, or parcels shall have suitable primary and secondary absorption areas that utilize standard onsite wastewater systems sized according to natural soil data.”
  • 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”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in Sharp County.
      ““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;”
    • 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

    Individual sewage disposal or treatment systems in Sharp County and statewide Arkansas.

    • Plans for individual sewage disposal or treatment systems must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health's Division of Environmental Health Protection or its authorized agent.
    • Systems must be planned, designed, and constructed under the Arkansas onsite-wastewater rules.
    “The plans for individual sewage disposal or treatment systems must be submitted to the Division of Environmental Health Protection of the Department of Health or its authorized agent.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

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

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

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

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

    Homes and businesses in Sharp County when the sewer exits the building within 300 feet of access to a public sewer on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley.

    • Connection is required only when the stated 300-foot access condition is met.
    • Plumbing fixtures must be installed and maintained under the Arkansas Plumbing Code.

    distance to public sewer access: <= 300 feet (Measured from the point where the sewer exits the building; access must be on the owner's property or an adjacent street or alley.)

    “Connection to a public sewer system is required of all homes and businesses when the point where the sewer exits the building is located within three hundred feet (300’) of access to the public sewer located on the owner’s property or an adjacent street or alley (Arkansas Code § 14-235-304).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.
      “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

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

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

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

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

    Subdivision lots in Sharp County that use onsite wastewater systems.

    • Subdivision submissions must be reviewed through the local health unit using an approved submission method.
    • Construction of any type cannot begin on a subdivision lot until the Department of Health gives final approval of the onsite-wastewater utilization submission.
    • A property owners association may receive delegated authority only at the Department's discretion, subject to applicable rules, permit forms, and final permit approval by the Department's authorized agent.

    final Department of Health approval before construction: true

    “Construction of any type shall not begin upon any lot in the subdivision until final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems within the subdivision has been made by the Department of Health.”
    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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational vehicle parks, including any such park in Sharp County.
      ““Recreational vehicle park” means a parcel of land, for which plans have been approved by the Department of Health, where three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles for transient dwelling purposes, typically by night or week, commonly associated with travel to, at, or near an attraction;”

Inside cities and towns in Sharp County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Cherokee Village zoning applications and permits within Cherokee Village city limits in Sharp County.

    • The fee schedule is posted in the Clerk/Treasurer's office and may be altered or amended only by the City Council.
    • No permit may be issued until applicable costs, charges, fees, or expenses are paid in full.
    • The source expressly lists rezoning and special-use-permit fees; it does not establish all current building-permit fees.

    rezoning fee: 250 USD · special use permit fee: 25 USD

    “Rezoning $ 250.00 Special UsePermit 25.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permit applications within Cherokee Village city limits in Sharp County.

    • Applicants must fill out all required fields and upload related plans or documents.
    • The portal states applications will be reviewed within the next 2-3 business days.
    • The portal provides a telephone contact at 870-257-5522.

    stated review time: 2-3 business days

    “Use this link to apply for a Residential Building Permit Applications will be reviewed within the next 2-3 business days”

Still unanswered

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

  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning status across Sharp County, including unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts and zoning maps in unincorporated Sharp County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential construction in unincorporated Sharp County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Sharp County.
  • Building height — Building height in unincorporated Sharp County.
4 more unanswered
  • 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 Sharp County, Arkansas

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

Sharp County scores 80/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and deep seclusion — about 3,064 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Sharp 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. 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 Sharp County?

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

Land in Sharp County runs about $3,164 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Sharp County?

Sharp County gets about 50.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.9% of years.

How remote is Sharp County?

A representative private-land location has about 3,064 people within a 30-minute drive and 463,359 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 Sharp County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Sharp compares in Arkansas

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