Bolthole Index

Clark County, Arkansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Arkadelphia, Arkansas requires a building permit from the city, and city zoning districts such as R-1 control what can be built on a lot.12 Septic systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health, not the city, and city code limits private systems where a public sewer is nearby.34 Clark County, which surrounds the city, has no building department of its own that we could confirm.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; application with a scaled plan goes through the city1
Zoning
City zoning by district; R-1 allows single-family homes on a 6,000 sq ft minimum lot25
Septic
Arkansas Department of Health permit; city code restricts private systems near public sewer64
Sewer connection
Required within 60 days of notice when a public sewer is within 300 feet7
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption for one residence per calendar year8
Minimum home size (R-1)
At least 20 feet of heated living space on each side9

Who to call

Building permits

Arkadelphia Building Department

Building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits inside Arkadelphia city limits; posts the city's zoning requirements and Unified Development Code

870-246-9864

700 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Environmental Health)

Site evaluations, construction and operation permits, and inspections for onsite wastewater (septic) systems in Clark County, including inside Arkadelphia

501-661-2171

4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 46, Little Rock, AR 72205

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Arkadelphia, Arkansas?

Yes. Arkadelphia's land-use ordinance requires every building permit application to include a plan, in duplicate and drawn to scale, showing the lot's actual dimensions, the size of the building and its location on the lot.1 The city's Building Department issues permits for all types of work involved in constructing or repairing a structure.10 Arkadelphia has adopted standard building codes by reference.11 Arkansas building codes are also mandatory statewide minimums, even in areas where no permit or inspection is required.12

We could not confirm the city's permit fees, inspection steps or certificate-of-occupancy rules; ask the Building Department.

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

The Arkadelphia Building Department handles building, plumbing, electrical and heating-and-cooling permits and enforces the city's building, fire, gas and housing codes.10 Call 870-246-9864 or visit 700 Clay Street.10 Septic permits are not part of that office; they come from the Arkansas Department of Health.13

Does Arkadelphia have zoning, and what does it mean for homes?

Yes. Arkadelphia zones land inside city limits by district, and uses remain subject to the district's requirements.2 In the R-1 residential district, a one-family dwelling needs a lot of at least 6000 square feet.5 Structures, including accessory buildings, may cover no more than 35 percent of the lot.14 Each R-1 dwelling must have 20 feet of heated living space on each side, on a permanent foundation.9

The city's Unified Development Code and zoning requirements are posted on the Building Department page.10 We could not confirm city rules for tiny homes, accessory dwellings or living in an RV on a lot; ask the Building Department before you buy.

How do septic permits work in Arkadelphia?

The Arkansas Department of Health issues septic permits, not the city. State rules make it unlawful to begin operating an onsite wastewater system without a permit.6 Arkadelphia code bars privies, cesspools and similar facilities except as the chapter provides.4 When a public sanitary sewer is within 300 feet, the owner must connect within 60 days of official notice.7

Soils in Clark County are tough on conventional systems: only 2.9% of soils rate without severe limits for a drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system.15 State rules do not approve holding tanks for residences.16 Contact the Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater Program at 501-661-2171.13

What stays with Clark County and the state when you build in Arkadelphia?

Septic permits stay with the Arkansas Department of Health for every address in Clark County, city or not.3 A driveway onto a state highway needs a permit from the Arkansas Department of Transportation.17 Anyone building their own home is exempt from residential contractor licensing only for one residence per calendar year.8 That exemption concerns contractor licensing; it does not say the city waives a building permit. We could not confirm whether the city has a separate owner-builder rule.

Building a home in Arkadelphia: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Building Department (870-246-9864) which zoning district your lot is in and what it requires.10
  2. Find out whether a public sewer lies within 300 feet of the building, since that triggers a connection requirement.7
  3. If no sewer applies, apply to the Department of Health (501-661-2171) for an onsite wastewater permit.13
  4. Submit the building permit application with a scaled plan to the Building Department.110
  5. Check floodplain status before you design; the city lists a floodplain development permit application with its permit forms.10

Watch-outs

  • Only 2.9% of Clark County soils rate without severe limits for a conventional septic field, so budget for a site evaluation.15
  • City code may require sewer connection within 60 days of notice when a public sewer is within 300 feet.7
  • Residential holding tanks are not approved as a septic system under state rules.16

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances, § 14.04.09, Enforcement officer, building permit (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  2. Arkadelphia Code § 14.04.03 — Use and area districts (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  3. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  4. Arkadelphia Code § 10.04.02 — Use of public sewers required (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  5. Arkadelphia Code § 14.04.03 — Use and area districts (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  6. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  7. Arkadelphia Code § 10.04.02 — Use of public sewers required (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  8. Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law and Rules of the Residential Contractors Committee, quoted and re-checked
  9. Arkadelphia Code § 14.04.03 — Use and area districts (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  10. Arkadelphia Building Department (arkadelphia.gov)
  11. Arkadelphia Code § 11.08.01 — Standard codes adopted by reference (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  12. Home Improvement Specialty New Application – State of Arkansas, quoted and re-checked
  13. Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (Environmental Health) (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  14. Arkadelphia Code § 14.04.03 — Use and area districts (Arkadelphia), quoted and re-checked
  15. 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
  16. Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), quoted and re-checked
  17. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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 Arkadelphia

Arkadelphia’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • The listed adoption excludes Volume II Building Code § 105.2, Building Item 1, and Volume III Residential Code § R1-5.2, Building Item 1.
    “The following codes are hereby adopted by reference as though they were copied herein fully: A. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2012 Edition, to include Volume I Fire Code; Volume II Building Code, excluding Section 105.2, Building: Item 1; and Volume III Residential Code, excluding Section R1-5.2, Building: Item 1.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • Use and area districts apply under the City land-use ordinance.
    “Residential use district (R-1). This district is intended to include the quiet residential neighborhoods characterized by single-family homes on large lots, plus certain areas where similar residential development is likely to occur.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • District-specific controls apply according to the land-use ordinance.
    “Residential use district (R-1). This district is intended to include the quiet residential neighborhoods characterized by single-family homes on large lots, plus certain areas where similar residential development is likely to occur.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in the R-1 residential district inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • The 20-foot heated-living-space dimension must be finished on a permanent foundation.

    minimum heated-living-space dimension on each side: >= 20 feet (entire dimension finished on a permanent foundation)

    “Each dwelling shall have a minimum dimension of twenty (20) feet of heated living space on each side, and the entire twenty (20) feet shall be finished on a permanent foundation.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in the R-1 residential district inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    minimum lot area: >= 6000 square feet (one-family dwelling)

    “Lot area. 1. One-family dwelling: Minimum six thousand (6,000) square feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in the R-1 residential district inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • Includes accessory structures.

    maximum structure coverage: <= 35 percent of lot area (includes accessory structures)

    “Structure coverage. On any lot, the area occupied by structures, including accessory structures, shall not exceed thirty-five (35) percent of the total area of such lot.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping overnight on Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation property.

    • Camping is allowed only when an event is scheduled by or through the Parks and Recreation Department and proper permits are issued for that specific event.
    “Camping overnight in a camper, tent or vehicle is not allowed in or on any Parks and Recreation property for any reason unless an event is scheduled by or through the Parks and Recreation Department and proper permits are issued to camp for the specific event.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Overnight camping in a camper, tent, or vehicle on Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation property.
      “Camping overnight in a camper, tent or vehicle is not allowed in or on any Parks and Recreation property for any reason unless an event is scheduled by or through the Parks and Recreation Department and proper permits are issued to camp for the specific event.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Wastewater disposal facilities inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • The prohibition is subject to provisions later in the sewer-regulations chapter.
    • State onsite-wastewater rules may govern an approved septic system.
    “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of wastewater in the City of Arkadelphia or in any area under the jurisdiction of Arkadelphia.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Occupied or used properties inside Arkadelphia city limits abutting a public-sewer street, alley, or right-of-way.

    • Requirement follows official notice.
    • Public sanitary sewer must be within 300 feet of the building.
    • Connection may be through a septic tank or directly to the public sewer.

    public sewer distance: <= 300 feet (from building) · compliance period after official notice: <= 60 days

    “The owner(s) of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the City of Arkadelphia (or in any area under the jurisdiction of Arkadelphia) and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the City, is hereby required at the owner(s) expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities either through a septic tank or directly to the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within sixty (60) days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within three hundred (300) feet of the building.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Mobile-home park development inside Arkadelphia city limits under the City's subdivision regulations.

    • Application must include a duplicate site plan drawn to scale showing the actual lot dimensions and shape.
    • Planning Commission approval and listed development standards apply.
    “All applications for development of a mobile home park shall be accompanied by a site plan in duplicate drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Access to mobile-home parks inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • The restriction applies to mobile-home parks, not all residential driveways.
    “Access to mobile home parks shall be only from major streets or highways. No mobile home parks shall have access to or from local residential streets.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Mobile-home sites inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • The restriction applies to the area defined by the City's floodplain ordinance.
    “No mobile home site shall be located with the area defined as the 100-year flood plain by the City's flood plain ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Proposed mobile-home sites in Arkadelphia mobile-home developments.
      “No mobile home site shall be located with the area defined as the 100-year flood plain by the City's flood plain ordinance.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits governed by Arkadelphia's land-use ordinance.

    • Application must include duplicate scale plans identifying actual lot dimensions, building size, location, and other information needed for enforcement.
    • The enforcement officer keeps the application and plat record, subject to Planning Commission review.
    “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a plan in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the size of the building to be erected and its location on the lot, and such other information as may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this chapter.”

Rules another office applies inside Arkadelphia

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    Individual onsite wastewater systems serving parcels inside Arkadelphia city limits.

    • A single residence on ten or more acres is exempt only from obtaining a permit when every part of its sewage system is more than 200 feet from every property line, including roads.
    • The owner must still install and operate the system to meet state requirements and avoid a nuisance.

    minimum parcel area for permit exemption: >= 10 acres (single residence only) · minimum sewage-system distance from property line and roads for permit exemption: > 200 feet (all parts of system)

    “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. The exemption is only for obtaining a permit. The property owner is still required to install and operate the sewage system in a manner that meets state requirements and does not cause a nuisance.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Arkadelphia city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Arkadelphia city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Arkadelphia city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Arkadelphia city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Arkadelphia city limits.
7 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Arkadelphia publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Clark County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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