Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fifty-Six, Arkansas

Rules another office applies inside Fifty-Six

Fifty-Six does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater (septic) approval for a residence on land inside Fifty-Six city limits. The Arkansas Department of Health rule applies there; the county health unit acts as the department's authorized agent, which is the same rule-maker.

  • Rule 4.3 requires approval by the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent before construction of a residence.
  • The rule's definition of authorized agent is the environmental health specialist assigned to the county.
  • Not verified whether a Stone County health unit or another body issues permits for Fifty-Six city specifically.

  “for those cities or counties with authorized agents, the authorized agent shall be the authorized agent of the department. in the event that an authorized agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New residence with onsite wastewater (septic) system on land inside Fifty-Six city limits

  • Construction may proceed only after the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent approves the permit application and plans.
  • Application must include detailed plans and specifications under appendix f of the rule.
  • Permit for operation is a separate step handled under the same rule.

  “a completed onsite wastewater system permit application and detailed plans and specifications following the requirements found in appendix f for the collection, treatment and/or renovation facilities for all wastes of a domestic nature, containing a predominance of human excreta and exclusive of industrial wastes shall be submitted to and receive the approval of the arkansas department of health or its authorized agent, prior to construction of a building or residence.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  New home on premises inside Fifty-Six city limits, for sanitary sewer connection. Applies only when a sewer is available to the premises.

  • Applies when the premises are within 300 feet of the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner's property.
  • Applies when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.
  • Whether Fifty-Six city has a public sewer line or a public water system was not verified.

  distance from sewer exit point: <= 300 feet (only where connection can be made without crossing another person's property)

  “all premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits a building on the property owner’s property and available to said premises when connection can be made without crossing another person's property.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Fifty-Six or Stone County directly.

• Building permit — Building permit requirement for a new home inside Fifty-Six city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits inside Fifty-Six city limits
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption for construction inside Fifty-Six city limits
• Inspections — Building inspection requirement for construction inside Fifty-Six city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy requirement inside Fifty-Six city limits

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.