Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-07

Arkansas Counties With No Building Codes and No Zoning

48 of Arkansas's 75 counties — 64% — require no residential building permit and have no county-wide zoning in their unincorporated areas. That is the 3rd-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Cleveland County (85/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.

Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 517 counties nationwide → Arkansas: no building codes → Arkansas: no zoning → Arkansas: owner-builder → Arkansas: rv living → Arkansas: tiny homes → Arkansas: no minimum home size → Full Arkansas profile →

From the Arkansas guide

Which Arkansas counties don't require a building permit?

Arkansas has 57 counties without a residential building-permit requirement, 15 with requirements limited to certain cases, and 3 where residential building permits are required.189 The highest-scoring counties in the no-permit group are Cleveland County, Drew County, Dallas County, Clark County, Ouachita County, Hempstead County, Madison County, Polk County.1 Use the county building-permit list to narrow your search.1

Arkansas Building Code requirements apply statewide even where building permits or inspections are not required.2 The State Fire Marshal’s Office enforces and updates the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.16 Arkansas's owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing for your own residence and ends if you build more than 1 residence in a calendar year; building-code, building-permit and zoning obligations still apply where required.14

Which Arkansas counties have no zoning?

Arkansas has 54 counties without countywide zoning and 5 counties with zoning.410 The highest-scoring counties without countywide zoning are Cleveland County, Drew County, Dallas County, Clark County, Grant County, Ouachita County, Hempstead County, Madison County.4 Arkansas county planning boards may prepare zoning ordinances for all or part of an unincorporated area, so ask the county planning office about the actual parcel and current zoning map.17

For buyers seeking both conditions, 48 counties have neither a residential building-permit requirement nor countywide zoning.11 Compare the no-zoning list and no-building-permit and no-zoning list.411 State septic approval remains required for an onsite wastewater system even where the county does not require a residential building permit.12

Read the full Arkansas guide →

Sources

  1. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties that do not require a residential building permit in unincorporated areas
  2. Arkansas: Home Improvement Contractor License Application, quoted and re-checked
  3. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties with no county-wide zoning
  4. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties that require a residential building permit only in some cases (for example floodplain or certain structures)
  5. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties that require a residential building permit in unincorporated areas
  6. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties with county zoning
  7. Bolthole Index county rulebook, 75 Arkansas counties, as of October 10, 2026: Arkansas counties with neither a residential building permit nor county-wide zoning
  8. Arkansas: Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  9. Arkansas: Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes, quoted and re-checked
  10. Arkansas State Fire Marshal’s Office (dps.arkansas.gov)
  11. Arkansas: arkleg.state.ar.us, quoted and re-checked

From the Arkansas guide, written from the cited official sources and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: confirm with the office before you buy or build.

48 of 75 Arkansas counties · sorted by Index score

Keep exploring

Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Arkansas state page for all 75 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.

Off-grid gear

Building on land in one of these Arkansas counties? 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.

General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.