Bolthole Index

Washington County, Arkansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Farmington, Arkansas

Inside Farmington, Arkansas city limits, the city issues building permits through its building official1 and enforces the state-adopted building codes2. Farmington also publishes its own zoning map and zoning ordinance3. Septic permits are a separate track under the Arkansas Department of Health, not the city4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside the city; issued by Farmington's building official1
Building code
State-adopted codes, including the 2021 International Residential Code with state amendments2
Zoning
Yes, the city publishes a zoning map and ordinance3
Minimum lot size
10,000 sq ft in R-1; 7,500 sq ft in R-2; 5,400 sq ft in R-3567
Septic
Permit required; Arkansas Department of Health with the county health unit84
Owner-builder
Owners may act as their own contractor on their residence under state licensing law9
Manufactured homes
Permitted in A-1 zoning and in manufactured housing parks10

Who to call

Building permits

City of Farmington Building Permits and Code Enforcement

Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits, certificates of occupancy, demolition permits and code enforcement inside Farmington city limits

479-267-3865

354 W. Main Farmington, AR 72730

Zoning

City of Farmington Zoning

Zoning map and zoning ordinance for land inside Farmington city limits

479-267-3865

354 W. Main P.O. Box 150, Farmington, AR 72730

Septic permits

Washington County Health Department

Local health-department contact for septic questions and Designated Representative referrals

479-521-8181 ext. 2115

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Farmington means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Farmington, Arkansas?

Yes. Inside Farmington city limits, building permits, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits, certificates of occupancy and demolition permits are issued by the city's building official1. Farmington inspects construction against the state-adopted codes, which include the 2021 International Residential Code with state amendments2.

This is different from the land outside the city. Unincorporated Washington County does not require traditional building permits for single-family homes or personal accessory buildings11, but that county answer does not apply inside Farmington. See the Washington County page for rules on land outside city limits.

Farmington publishes a fee schedule based on the value of the work: the schedule lists a $20 fee for work valued up to $2,000, and $260 for the first $50,000 of a larger job12.

Who issues building permits in Farmington, and how do you reach them?

The City of Farmington's building official issues building permits, and the same office handles code enforcement1. Call 479-267-3865 or visit City Hall at 354 W. Main, Farmington, AR 727301.

For subdivision and development applications such as lot splits, rezoning, plats, variances and grading, Farmington publishes filing requirements and deadlines and tells applicants to call City Hall for details13. Farmington's subdivision rules cover land in the Farmington Planning Area, not only land inside the city boundary14.

Does Farmington have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size, setbacks and manufactured homes?

Yes. The City of Farmington publishes a zoning map and zoning ordinance for land inside city limits153. Check the map for your parcel's district before you buy, because the rules differ by district.

Minimum lot sizes in Farmington: R-1 single-family districts need at least 10,000 square feet5, R-2 needs at least 7,500 square feet6, and R-3 zero-lot-line districts need at least 5,400 square feet with a maximum of eight units per acre7. In R-3, one side setback is waived and the opposite side setback must be at least ten feet16.

Manufactured housing units are permitted uses in the A-1 zone and in manufactured housing parks10. Units in a park must connect to public sewer or a step sewer system and to a public water supply17.

We could not confirm Farmington's rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or minimum house size. Ask City Hall at 479-267-3865 before you plan around them15.

How do septic permits work in Farmington?

Septic permits are not issued by the city. Arkansas Department of Health rules require a permit for building, altering or operating an onsite wastewater system, issued by the Department or its authorized agent18. The Department sets statewide policy and works through environmental health specialists in the county health departments4. For Farmington addresses, start with the Washington County Health Department at 479-521-8181 ext. 211519.

Public sewer comes first when it is close. Arkansas requires connection to a sanitary sewer when the sewer is within 300 feet of the building and reachable without crossing another person's property20. Because the city is more built-up than open country, many lots inside Farmington may be on sewer; confirm with City Hall before you budget for a septic system.

A septic permit exemption exists for a single residence on 10 or more acres with every part of the system more than 200 feet from any property line, and a letter of exemption comes from the local health unit8. Few lots inside a city meet that test.

Building a home in Farmington: the steps, in order

  1. Look up your parcel's zoning district on the city's zoning map and confirm the use and lot size15.
  2. Ask City Hall at 479-267-3865 whether sewer is available at the lot, and call the Washington County Health Department at 479-521-8181 ext. 2115 if it is not119.
  3. If the land is being divided, check Farmington's subdivision and lot-split requirements first13.
  4. Check whether the lot is in a special flood hazard area; new residential construction there must have its lowest floor, including a basement, at or above the 100-year flood level21.
  5. Apply for a building permit with the building official1.
  6. Use licensed trades where state law requires them. Arkansas lets an owner act as their own contractor on their own residence, unless they build more than one residence in a calendar year9.

What stays outside the city, and what to check before you buy near Farmington

Farmington's building and zoning rules end at the city limit. Land outside the city but in Washington County falls under the county's rules, which differ11. Use the Washington County page for those parcels.

County-level numbers describe the whole of Washington County, not Farmington alone: only about 8.6% of its soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so lots without sewer usually need a site evaluation and may need an engineered system22. The county's effective property tax rate is about 0.6%23. A driveway onto a state highway needs a permit from the Arkansas Department of Transportation24.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether Farmington requires a permit for a private well; ask City Hall at 479-267-3865 and the Washington County Health Department before drilling119.
  • We could not confirm Farmington's rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units or short-term rentals; ask City Hall before you buy15.
  • Septic permits are separate from city building permits: a Farmington building permit does not replace the Arkansas Department of Health permit4.

Sources

  1. City of Farmington Building Permits and Code Enforcement (cityoffarmington-ar.gov)
  2. Building Permits and Code Enforcement | City of Farmington, AR (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  3. Zoning | City of Farmington, AR (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 14.04.05. - District regulations (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 14.04.05. - District regulations (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 14.04.05. - District regulations (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  8. Onsite Wastewater FAQs (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  9. Home Improvement New Application (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  10. Sec. 14.04.07. - Special conditions applicable to certain uses (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building a residence in the county?, quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Permit fees (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  13. Applications / Permits / Planning Ordinances (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  14. library.municode.com (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  15. City of Farmington Zoning (cityoffarmington-ar.gov)
  16. Sec. 14.04.05. - District regulations (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  17. library.municode.com (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  18. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024) (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Washington County Health Department (washingtoncountyar.gov)
  20. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Sec. 11.08.08. - Lowest floor (Farmington), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 16, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Farmington

Farmington’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Commercial and residential construction inside Farmington city limits.

    • Farmington uses the state-adopted codes when inspecting construction.
    • The listed current codes include the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code with state amendments, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code, 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, and 2017 ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Code.
    “city of farmington uses the state adopted building codes when inspecting commercial and residential construction.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Farmington city limits.

    • The city publishes a zoning map and zoning ordinance.
    “zoning map & zoning ordinance city of farmington zoning map and zoning ordinance:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Farmington city limits.

    minimum residential lot area: >= 10000 square feet (R-1 district)

    “The purpose of this district is to accommodate single-family residential uses on residential lots of at least 10,000 square feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-2 Single-Family Residential District inside Farmington city limits.
      “This district is intended to principally provide single-family residential use on moderately sized, medium-density lots of at least 7,500 square feet.”
    • Specified — R-3 Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential District inside Farmington city limits.
      “This district is intended to provide single-family residential dwellings on small sized, medium density lots of at least 5,400 square feet and a maximum of eight units per acre.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-3 Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential District inside Farmington city limits.

    • One side setback is abated as a zero-lot-line condition.
    • No zero-lot-line dwelling may be developed adjacent to a non-zero-lot-line property with the side setback abated.

    opposite side setback: >= 10 feet (R-3 district) · abated side setback: 0 feet (one side only)

    “One side setback is abated (zero-lot-line) and the opposite side setback must be a minimum of ten feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Manufactured housing unit spaces in manufactured housing parks inside Farmington city limits.
      “each manufactured housing unit space shall be set back at least 30 feet from all street right-of-ways, and at least 20 feet from all other lot lines.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Individual manufactured housing unit spaces in manufactured housing parks inside Farmington city limits.

    • The rule applies to each individual manufactured housing unit space.

    maximum occupied lot area: <= 50 percent (individual manufactured housing unit space)

    “Each individual manufactured housing unit space shall be at least 3,000 sq. ft. in area, but shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the lot area.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured housing units in A-1 zoning and manufactured housing parks inside Farmington city limits.

    • Manufactured housing units are permitted in A-1 and manufactured housing parks.
    • Units must be installed according to manufacturer procedures, the International Building Code as adopted by Arkansas, and Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission standards.
    • Manufactured housing parks have additional setbacks, lot/space sizes, separation, parking, fire protection, utility, underground utility, inspection, and management requirements.

    manufactured housing park street setback: >= 30 feet (each manufactured housing unit space) · manufactured housing park other lot-line setback: >= 20 feet (each manufactured housing unit space) · manufactured housing park gross site area: >= 4350 square feet per unit space · individual unit space: >= 3000 square feet (unit space may not occupy more than 50 percent of lot area) · unit separation: >= 20 feet (horizontal distance from other units and accessory structures)

    “manufactured housing units shall be considered permitted uses in the a-1 zone, which are single-family districts, and in manufactured housing parks.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Each manufactured housing unit in a manufactured housing park inside Farmington city limits.

    • Each unit must connect to public sanitary sewer or a step sewer system and a public water supply system.
    “Each manufactured housing unit shall be connected to a public sanitary sewer or a step sewer system and a public water supply system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Development and subdivision of land within the Farmington Planning Area, including land inside Farmington city limits.

    • Compliance is required before transfer of an interest constituting a subdivision or resulting in need for access or utilities.
    • The chapter states that its jurisdiction is all land within the Planning Area filed with the County Recorder.
    “the purpose of this chapter is to set forth the procedures, requirements and minimum standards governing the development and subdivision of land under the jurisdiction of the farmington planning commission.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction or substantial improvements of residential structures in areas of special flood hazards inside Farmington city limits.

    • The lowest floor, including basement, must be elevated to or above the level of the 100-year flood.

    elevation standard: 100-year flood level (lowest floor including basement)

    “Any new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures within the area of special flood hazards will have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the level of the 100 year flood.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Farmington building permits.

    • The published schedule is based on material and labor valuation.
    • For $50,001-$100,000, the schedule states $260 for the first $50,000 plus $4 per additional thousand or fraction through $100,000.
    • For $100,001-$500,000, it states $460 for the first $100,000 plus $3 per additional thousand or fraction through $500,000.
    • For $500,001 and up, it states $1,600 for the first $500,000 plus $2 per additional thousand.
    • The schedule cites Ord. No. 2005-6.9.

    permit fee for $1-$2,000 valuation: 20 USD (total valuation not to exceed $2,000) · permit fee for $50,000 valuation: 260 USD

    “$1.00 to $2,000.00 total valuation not to exceed $20.00.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Development and permit applications inside Farmington city limits.

    • The city publishes filing requirements and deadlines for lot splits, conditional uses, final plats, large-scale development, preliminary plats, rezoning, grading, variances, and related applications.
    • The city directs applicants to call City Hall for further information.
    “The City has filing requirements and deadlines for each of the following developmental applications:”

Rules another office applies inside Farmington

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

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner-builders constructing or improving a residence inside Farmington city limits, under Arkansas residential contractor licensing law.

    • Owners are exempt when acting as contractor in construction of their residence unless they build more than one residence during a calendar year.
    • Owners acting as their own home improvement contractor on their own property are exempt.
    • Other listed exemptions include subcontractors working for properly licensed contractors and contractors licensed by another licensing agency within that license's scope.
    “owners are exempt from licensure when acting as the contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems inside Farmington city limits.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health sets statewide policies and assists county health department Environmental Health Specialists.
    • The county health unit handles local permit-copy and onsite specialist contacts.
    “The Arkansas Department of Health’s Onsite Wastewater program sets statewide policies and provides assistance to Environmental Health Specialists in each of the county health departments.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite septic systems inside Farmington city limits.

    • A permit exemption applies to a single residence on ten or more acres where all parts of the sewage system are more than 200 feet from any property line, including roads.
    • The exemption is only for obtaining a permit; the owner must still install and operate the system to meet state requirements and avoid nuisance.
    • A letter stating exemption may be obtained from the local Health Unit.
    • The exemption does not apply to other state or federal requirements.

    minimum acreage for exemption: >= 10 acres (single residence only) · setback for exemption: > 200 feet (all parts of system from any property line, including roads)

    “The exemption applies to a single residence located on ten or more acres where all parts of the sewage system are more than 200 feet from any property line, including roads.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Farmington or Washington County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Farmington city limits.
  • Building height — Buildings inside Farmington city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Farmington city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Farmington city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Farmington city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Farmington publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Washington County: county rules, score and offices