Bolthole Index

St. Francis County, Arkansas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in St. Francis County, Arkansas

68Index Score / 100
#61 of 75 in Arkansas

St. Francis County, Arkansas has no building or code-enforcement department listed among its county services, and no residential building permit has been confirmed as required in unincorporated areas1. The county likewise has no zoning office on record; its cities, such as Forrest City, handle zoning within their own limits2. Septic systems are regulated statewide by the Arkansas Department of Health, which reviews applications through the local county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist3.

At a glance

Building permit
Not confirmed required; St. Francis County has no listed building or code-enforcement department in official records reviewed1
Zoning
None found at the county level; cities such as Forrest City set zoning within their own limits2
Septic permits
Arkansas Department of Health, applied for through the county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist; a Permit for Operation is required before use345
Owner-builder
Yes: an owner building their own residence, or acting as their own home-improvement contractor, is exempt from Arkansas contractor licensing unless they build more than one residence a year67
Septic subdivision lot size
State rule sets a 0.5-acre minimum for lots using drip-dispersal septic design in a subdivision8
Septic-to-well setback
At least 100 feet between a septic tank and a well in clay or loam soils, more in pervious ground9
Sewer connection
If a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet and available, state law requires connecting to it instead of installing a septic system10
Septic soil difficulty
Only 0.2% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field11

Who to call

Also useful

St. Francis County Government

General county contact; no dedicated building, zoning or floodplain department is listed among the county's official offices

870-261-1700

313 South Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 72335

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Environmental Health / Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) permitting; applications for St. Francis County route through the local county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist or, where none is designated, directly to the Department

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 23, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in St. Francis County, Arkansas?

Based on the official sources reviewed for this guide, no confirmed county building-permit requirement was found. St. Francis County lists no building or code-enforcement department among its county services1. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including its residential volume, applies as a statewide compliance standard even where no local permit program exists, and the state's own contractor-licensing paperwork confirms these rules apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required1213. That's different from what individual cities in the county can do: Arkansas counties and municipalities may adopt their own permit programs, and cities such as Forrest City are the most likely to have done so, since they run their own code-enforcement operations1. No official county ordinance, department page or permit form confirming or ruling out a countywide building-permit requirement turned up in this research, so if you want certainty on a specific project, call St. Francis County government directly14.

Who do you contact about permits and zoning in St. Francis County?

St. Francis County has no listed building, zoning or code-enforcement department, so the county's general office is the place to start14. Reach St. Francis County government at 870-261-1700, 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 7233514. If your question is really about a city, contact that city directly rather than the county: city rules never apply to unincorporated land, and county rules never apply inside a city's limits2. No official source located for this guide states whether the county assigns floodplain-administrator, road-permit or septic-related duties to a specific office by name, so confirm the right department when you call1.

Does St. Francis County have zoning?

No general county zoning ordinance was found for St. Francis County. The state's own county information portal lists no planning or zoning office for the county, and the county appears to rely on its municipalities for zoning2. Because no county zoning ordinance was found, this research could not confirm a county-set minimum home size, minimum lot size, setback or building-height rule for unincorporated land. That absence is unconfirmed, not a confirmed 'no rule' — ask St. Francis County government directly before you assume none applies14. One state number applies regardless of zoning if you're subdividing land for an onsite wastewater system: lots using drip-dispersal septic design in a subdivision must be at least 0.5 acre8.

How do septic permits work in St. Francis County?

Septic systems in St. Francis County are permitted by the state, not the county: the Arkansas Department of Health or its designated Authorized Agent administers onsite wastewater permitting, and where no Authorized Agent has been named for a city or county, applications go straight to the Department3154. In practice that means applying through the local county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist3. Before you can use a new or altered system, the installer must notify the Authorized Agent when installation is ready for inspection, and the system can't be used until a Permit for Operation is issued after that inspection passes5. Soils here make that inspection more than a formality: only 0.2% of local soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so expect to need an engineered or alternative system on most sites11. If a sanitary sewer runs within 300 feet of where your building's sewer line exits and is available without crossing another person's property, Arkansas law requires connecting to that sewer instead of installing a septic system or any other receptacle for human waste1016. Near a well, keep a septic tank at least 100 feet away in clay or loam soils, doubling that distance in more pervious gravel formations9.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in St. Francis County?

This research found no county zoning ordinance, but that's different from confirming there's no rule at all — no official St. Francis County source directly addresses RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy on private land2. Arkansas's clearest state rules on this topic cover RV and mobile-home parks, not placement on your own land: a 'recreational vehicle park' is defined as land with three or more spaces occupied by RVs, and any such park needs Department of Health approval before it's built or remodeled17. Those same rules treat a tiny house on wheels as a mobile home if it's plumbed and inspected under the state plumbing code, or as a recreational vehicle if it isn't, but again only within the context of a licensed park18. None of this settles whether you can place a single RV or tiny home on your own unincorporated St. Francis County land outside a licensed park, so call the county, and your city if relevant, before you commit14.

Building a home in St. Francis County: the steps, in order

First, call St. Francis County government to ask directly whether your specific project needs a permit, since no county ordinance confirming or ruling one out was found in official records14. Second, if you're building your own home, know that Arkansas exempts an owner from residential-contractor licensing as long as they don't build more than one residence in a calendar year7. Third, if your site isn't within 300 feet of an available sanitary sewer, plan for a septic system and start with a soil evaluation, since only 0.2% of the county's soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field1011. Fourth, apply for your onsite wastewater permit through the Arkansas Department of Health or its county Authorized Agent before construction, keeping any septic tank at least 100 feet from a well in clay or loam soils1549. Fifth, once the system is installed, have your installer request the required inspection; the system can't be used until a Permit for Operation is issued afterward5. Sixth, if your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply to the Arkansas Department of Transportation District Engineer before starting work, since no work may begin on the right-of-way until the permit is issued19. Finally, if you're inside a city rather than unincorporated county land, check that city's own building and zoning rules, since they don't come from the county2.

What to check before you buy land in St. Francis County

Confirm whether the parcel sits inside a city limit or unincorporated county land first, since building and zoning rules differ sharply between the two and no countywide zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated areas2. Water and soils deserve real scrutiny: only 0.2% of the county's soils are free of severe septic limitations, while the county still gets 52.5 inches of rain a year and sees severe drought in only 8.2% of years112021. Terrain is not the obstacle here — 98.1% of the county sits at 15% slope or less — but 26.7% is wooded, which affects clearing costs if you want open pasture2223. If you're buying a lot inside a subdivision that will use onsite wastewater, know that construction can't start on any lot until the Arkansas Department of Health gives final approval of the subdivision's wastewater plan24. Budget for carrying costs too: St. Francis County's effective property tax rate runs about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $474, against a typical home value around $83,702252627.

Watch-outs

  • No official St. Francis County ordinance or department page confirms whether the county requires a residential building permit, so call the county directly rather than assume either way1.
  • If a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet of your building and available without crossing another person's property, Arkansas law requires connecting to it and bars a new septic system or any other human-waste receptacle on the premises10.

Sources

  1. Arkansas.gov - St. Francis County (2026 county census)
  2. Arkansas.gov - St. Francis County (2026 county census)
  3. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (2026 county census)
  4. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  5. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  6. Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law (2026 county census)
  7. Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law, quoted and re-checked
  8. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  9. 17 CAR § 11-502. Location, quoted and re-checked
  10. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  11. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  12. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Home Improvement Contractor License Application (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. St. Francis County Government (portal.arkansas.gov)
  15. Arkansas Department of Health, Environmental Health / Onsite Wastewater Program (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  16. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  17. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  18. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  19. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 23, 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

St. Francis County in Arkansas

68
County map
St. Francis County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How St. Francis County scores

Seclusion54100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency51100% ev.
Admin Boringness85100% ev.
Durability52100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost85100% 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 →

$84kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$3,503Land / acre
52.5"Annual rain
8.2% of yrsSevere drought
19.4 / yr (+17.1)Mid-century 100°F days
17.5 daysMid-century dry spell
2.33" (+7.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.52×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,869Home insurance / yr
0.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.58%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
23,992People within 30 min
2,784,182People within 2 hr
28,489Radius comparison (15 mi)
34.8People / sq mi
5%Federal land
98.1%Land at 15% slope or less
0.2%Septic soil without severe limits
726 acWorkable land screen
26.7%Wooded land
51.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
61.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for St. Francis County

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

St. Francis County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    St. Francis County has not adopted a general residential zoning ordinance and relies on its municipalities for zoning; the county portal lists no planning/zoning office.

    Arkansas.gov - St. Francis County ↗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 exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Arkansas residential contractor licensing requirements for an owner constructing the owner's residence or acting as the owner's own home-improvement contractor on the owner's property; this does not establish whether a local building permit is required.

    • A person constructing his or her residence is exempt unless he or she builds more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • The owner of a single-family residence may act as his or her own home-improvement contractor on his or her own property.
    • A person or entity acting as a residential building contractor or home-improvement contractor is exempt for work costing no more than $2,000.
    • The $2,000 exemption does not apply when the necessary construction work is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than $2,000.
    • A subcontractor of a contractor licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee is exempt.
    • A person or entity licensed by another Arkansas licensing agency, board, or commission is exempt when performing work within the scope of that license.
    • The cited provision separately exempts persons or entities performing work as a roofing contractor under Arkansas Code § 17-25-601 et seq.

    maximum project cost for listed small-project exemption: <= 2000 USD (Does not apply when necessary work is divided into separate contracts below $2,000.) · owner-built residences per calendar year: <= 1 residence (The exemption does not apply if the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.)

    “The following shall be exempted from the licensing requirements of this subchapter: (1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year; (2) 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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Arkansas state projects; this is a state overlay and does not establish a St. Francis County local adoption or enforcement program.
      “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.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
      “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  • InspectionsLimited

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

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

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

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

    Lots in Arkansas subdivisions using drip dispersal design for onsite wastewater systems, including applicable subdivisions in St. Francis County.

    • The rule applies to minimum lot-size determination for subdivisions using drip dispersal design.
    • Minimum depth to bedrock must meet 14 CAR § 21-602(b)(3).
    • Primary and secondary absorption areas must be flagged on contour.
    • The legal descriptions of the primary and secondary absorption areas must be included in the legal descriptions of the lots.
    • Lots using drip dispersal design must be five-tenths (0.5) of an acre or larger.

    minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acre (Applies to lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot-size determination.)

    “Drip dispersal design may be used in determining minimum lot size for subdivisions when the following criteria are met: [...] Lots using drip dispersal design for minimum lot size shall be five-tenths (0.5) of an acre or larger.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Separation distances involving wells and septic tanks or other listed contamination sources in St. Francis County.

    • The listed minimum distances are for clay and loam soils.
    • When upper formations are more pervious, lateral distances must be increased, including doubling the distance for highly pervious gravel formations.
    • Other possible contamination sources without specific distances must be evaluated case by case.
    • The rule concerns well-location separation distances, not general residential building setbacks.

    septic tank to well minimum lateral distance: >= 100 feet (For clay and loam soils; distance increases for more pervious upper formations.)

    “The following minimum lateral distances shall apply for common sources of contamination listed: [...] Septic Tank | 100 Feet [...] When the upper formations are more pervious, the lateral distances shall be increased (i.e., double the distance for highly pervious gravel formations).”
  • 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.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Overflow or tent camping areas within Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in St. Francis County

    • The source addresses overflow or tent camping associated with recreational-vehicle parks, not general camping on private land.
    • A service building must be located within at least 300 feet of all areas designated or used for overflow or tent camping.
    • Covered parks are subject to Department of Health approval requirements.

    service-building radius to overflow or tent camping: >= 300 feet

    “Service buildings shall be conveniently located within a radius of at least three hundred feet (300’) to all areas designated or used for overflow or tent camping.”
  • 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 — Tiny houses on wheels used in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in St. Francis 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 (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems in St. Francis County, including unincorporated areas unless a designated Authorized Agent administers the application locally.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent administers the permitting and approval process.
    • For cities or counties with Authorized Agents, the Authorized Agent acts for the Department; where none has been designated, applications are made 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 inspectionRequired

    Operation of onsite wastewater systems in St. Francis County.

    • The system may not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued after inspection approval.
    • The installer must notify the Authorized Agent or Designated Representative when installation is ready for inspection.
    • The owner or occupant must provide reasonable access.
    • The installer must submit required documentation to the local health unit within five days.
    • Inspection may be performed by the Authorized Agent or, with the Authorized Agent’s approval, by the Designated Representative.

    installer documentation submission deadline: 5 days

    “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, onsite wastewater systems, and other human-excreta receptacles on premises in St. Francis County.
      “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 St. Francis County where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building, is available to the premises, and connection does not require crossing another person's property.

    • All three conditions must be met: distance of 300 feet or less, sewer availability, and no crossing of another person's property.
    • When these conditions apply, privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.

    maximum distance to sanitary sewer: <= 300 feet (Measured from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner'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.”
    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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Electrical licensing and Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements for construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of nonresidential farm buildings or structures in St. Francis County.
      “The licensing requirements of Arkansas Code § 17-28-101 et seq. shall not apply to the following: [...] The construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure; [...] The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure; and”
    • 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 development in St. Francis County that will use onsite wastewater systems.

    • Construction of any type may not begin on any lot in the subdivision until the Arkansas Department of Health gives final approval of the onsite-wastewater submission.
    • Submission is made to the local health unit using an approved review method.
    • Subdivision review may require soil mapping, professional soil-classifier work, and soil reports depending on the method used.
    “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 mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including any such park in St. Francis 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;”

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 across incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas of St. Francis County.
  • Zoning districts — Publication or identification of zoning districts in St. Francis County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements for residential dwellings in unincorporated St. Francis County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in unincorporated St. Francis County.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements in unincorporated St. Francis County.
2 more unanswered
  • 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.

Water rights & wells in St. Francis County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arkansas’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Critical Groundwater Area designation in Arkansas is explicitly NON-regulatory — no water right or permit is required to drill or use a well, even inside a critical area. A new landowner can drill a household well anywhere.

Limit: non-domestic users >=50,000 gpd register; domestic exempt

Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — Water-Use Registration / Critical Groundwater Areas ↗
  • Cache Critical Ground Water Areapartial of county

    Northeast Arkansas / Cache River alluvial cone of depression; Craighead and Poinsett largely below 50% saturated thickness. Non-regulatory conservation designation; domestic wells not barred.

    Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — 2023 Groundwater Report ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arkansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in St. Francis County, Arkansas

Is St. Francis County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

St. Francis County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in St. Francis County, Arkansas?

St. Francis 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 (via county health unit Environmental Health Specialist). 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 St. Francis County?

Living in an RV on your own land in St. Francis 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 St. Francis County, Arkansas?

Land in St. Francis County runs about $3,503 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in St. Francis County?

St. Francis County gets about 52.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.2% of years. On water rights, St. Francis County lies in the Cache Critical Ground Water Area — Northeast Arkansas / Cache River alluvial cone of depression; Craighead and Poinsett largely below 50% saturated thickness. Non-regulatory conservation designation; domestic wells not barred..

How remote is St. Francis County?

A representative private-land location has about 23,992 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,784,182 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 St. Francis County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How St. Francis compares in Arkansas

Compare side-by-side →See all 75 Arkansas counties ranked →