Bolthole Index

Drew County, Arkansas

Building permits, septic and land rules in Monticello, Arkansas

Monticello, Arkansas requires a building permit for new construction inside city limits, issued by the City of Monticello after a site inspection by the City Inspector1. Septic systems are the exception to city handling: the Arkansas Department of Health's Drew County health unit takes septic applications2, and the city generally bans private septic where it is not allowed by its sewer code3. We could not confirm whether Monticello has a zoning ordinance of its own.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside city limits; contractors need a license and a $10,000 surety bond1
Who issues it
City of Monticello (City Inspector site approval before construction)4
Building code
2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (including the residential volume)5
Septic
Generally prohibited in the city; where allowed, state Department of Health rules and a permit apply36
Minimum subdivision lot
7,500 square feet (smaller where the zoning district allows)7
Septic permit office
Drew County health unit (Arkansas Department of Health)2

Who to call

Building permits

City of Monticello (City Inspector and permit office)

Building permits, site inspection and electrical, gas and plumbing inspections inside Monticello city limits

(870) 367-4400

203 W Gaines St., Monticello, AR 71655

Septic permits

Drew County Local Health Unit (Arkansas Department of Health)

Septic permit applications for property in Drew County, including inside Monticello

(870) 367-6234

940 Scogin Dr, Monticello, AR 71655

Also useful

Drew County government

General Drew County government contact; no separate county building, zoning or floodplain department is listed

870-460-6200

210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655

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 Monticello means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Monticello, Arkansas?

Yes. Monticello requires a building permit for new construction and other building projects inside city limits1. The permit starts with a Building Permit Application, ideally with building plans attached, and construction can begin once the City Inspector approves the site4. Building permit fees are based on the estimated construction cost; for new residential construction the city's fee schedule lists a $15 permit fee plus $0.15 per square foot under roof, and $35 per inspection8.

The city has adopted the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which includes the residential volume, for construction inside city limits5. Electrical, gas and plumbing work is inspected before a building can be occupied or used4.

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

The City of Monticello issues building permits inside city limits, with the City Inspector approving the site4. The city's permit page and office are at8: call (870) 367-4400 or visit 203 W Gaines St., Monticello, AR 71655. Drew County government does not list a separate building, zoning or floodplain department, so a Monticello address is not a reason to call the county for a building permit9.

Any contractor must submit a license and keep a current $10,000 surety bond for the City of Monticello on file to obtain a permit1. We could not confirm a general owner-builder exemption from city permits or inspections; ask the City Inspector before you assume one applies.

Does Monticello have zoning, and what about lot size?

We could not confirm a separate zoning ordinance, district map or RV and tiny-home rule for Monticello, so ask the City of Monticello before you buy. What the city's code does state is a minimum lot area of 7,500 square feet for lots created in a subdivision, unless the subdivision sits in a zoning district with a smaller minimum7. Subdivision lots must also be at least 75 feet wide10.

For manufactured homes, each home needs a driveway and two off-street parking spaces11. Near the Monticello Municipal Airport, structures and trees in the airport zones need a permit in many cases, with an exception for some under 75 feet tall12.

How do septic permits work in Monticello?

Monticello is a sewer city first. The city code makes it unlawful to build or keep a privy, septic tank or cesspool except where the code provides otherwise3. Where a private system is allowed, it must follow Arkansas Department of Health recommendations, and the city will not issue a permit for a subsurface soil-absorption system on a lot smaller than 10,500 square feet6.

For septic applications, the Arkansas Department of Health directs applicants to the county health unit and its Onsite Environmental Specialist2. In Monticello that is the13, at 940 Scogin Dr, (870) 367-6234. We could not confirm a septic inspection standard or a private well permit rule inside the city.

Building a home in Monticello: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm with the City of Monticello that sewer is available at your lot, since private septic is generally prohibited3.
  2. If you plan a septic exception, apply through the Drew County health unit first2.
  3. Hire a contractor who holds a license and a $10,000 surety bond on file with the city1.
  4. Submit the Building Permit Application with plans to the city4.
  5. Wait for the City Inspector's site approval before starting construction4.
  6. Schedule electrical, gas and plumbing inspections before anyone occupies the building4.

What stays with Drew County, and what to check before you buy

Septic applications go to the county health unit even inside Monticello2. Outside city limits, the rules above do not apply: see the Drew County page for unincorporated land. Building outside the city and tying into city water requires a signed pre-annexation agreement under a city ordinance8.

Drew County's soils are a real consideration: about 5% of its soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system on rural lots14. Drew County's effective property tax rate is about 0.4%15.

Watch-outs

  • Zoning inside Monticello was not confirmed in the city's published rules we reviewed, so ask the City of Monticello about use, setbacks and RVs before you buy8.
  • A general owner-builder exemption from Monticello's building permits and inspections was not confirmed; the city's materials mention only a bonding exception for certain owner plumbing and electrical work1.
  • Private septic is generally prohibited inside Monticello city limits, so a lot without sewer access may not be buildable the way a rural lot is3.

Sources

  1. Licenses and Permits | City of Monticello, AR (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  2. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Sec. 25-105, General specifications (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  3. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Sec. 25-101, Prohibited generally (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  4. Licenses and Permits | City of Monticello, AR (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  5. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Sec. 10-30, Adoption of Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Sec. 25-105, General specifications (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Sec. 22-10, Residential lots (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Monticello (City Inspector and permit office) (monticelloarkansas.us)
  9. Drew County government (portal.arkansas.gov)
  10. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Sec. 22-10, Residential lots (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  11. library.municode.com (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Sec. 6-49, Permits (Monticello), quoted and re-checked
  13. Drew County Local Health Unit (Arkansas Department of Health) (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  14. 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
  15. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

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 Monticello

Monticello’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and other building projects inside Monticello city limits.

    • Submit a Building Permit Application and building plans; construction may begin after City Inspector site approval.
    • Contractors must submit their license and maintain a $10,000 surety bond on file.
    “The building & utilities permit process is initiated by submitting a Building Permit Application (Including building plans with the application, which can expedite the process). Building permit fees are based on the estimated construction cost of the buildings; see the fee schedule below. After the Building Permit Application is received, the City Inspector will conduct a site inspection. Once the site is approved by the City Inspector, construction can begin. All contractors must submit their license and have a current $10,000.00 surety bond for the City of Monticello on file to obtain a permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction within Monticello city limits.

    • The adopted code is the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volumes 1, 2, and 3 and appendices, with Arkansas Fire Code exceptions and later modifications or amendments.
    “The city council does hereby adopt by reference, the 2012 Edition of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code consisting of Volume 1 Fire, Volume 2 Building, Volume 3 Residential, and all appendices (also known as the International Building Code with the Arkansas Fire Code exceptions) and the whole thereof, as the same may be modified or amended from time to time hereafter.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential lots created through subdivisions inside Monticello city limits.

    • The minimum area is 7,500 square feet.
    • If a subdivision is located in a zoning district with a smaller minimum lot size, the smaller district minimum applies.
    • Parkview Subdivision has an expressly stated exception of 5,000 square feet.

    general minimum residential lot area: >= 7500 square feet (Parkview Subdivision: 5,000 square feet; a smaller applicable district minimum may control)

    “the minimum area for a lot shall be seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet. however, in the event the subdivision is located in a zoning district in which the minimum lot size is less than that required, the minimum shall apply.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures and trees within Monticello Municipal Airport zoning zones.

    • A permit is generally required for material changes, structures, and trees in airport zones unless an exception applies.
    • Structures or trees under 75 feet may be exempt in specified horizontal, conical, approach, or transition areas, subject to terrain and applicable zone height limits.
    • The airport article establishes additional zone-specific height limits and variance procedures.

    height threshold for specified airport-zone permit exceptions: < 75 feet (Exceptions depend on zone, terrain, and applicable height limits)

    “In the area lying within the limits of the horizontal zone and conical zone, no permit shall be required for any tree or structure less than seventy-five (75) feet of vertical height above the ground, except when, because of terrain, land contour or topographic features, such tree or structure would extend above the height limits prescribed for such zones.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Monticello city limits where a municipal-code exception allows them.

    • No permit may be issued for subsurface soil-absorption systems on lots smaller than 10,500 square feet.
    • The system must comply with state Department of Health recommendations.
    • The city generally prohibits septic tanks and similar private sewage facilities except as provided in the code.

    minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption permit: >= 10500 square feet

    “No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than ten thousand five hundred (10,500) square feet.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Privies, septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage facilities inside Monticello city limits, except as provided by the municipal sewer code.

    • The prohibition is subject to exceptions elsewhere in the municipal code.
    • Where public sewer is available within the stated distance, direct connection is required.
    “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Residential subdivision lots inside Monticello city limits.

    • Residential subdivision rules establish minimum lot area, lot width, street setback, and side-lot-line distance.
    • Parkview Subdivision has specific lot-area, width, and side-lot-line exceptions.
    “(c) the minimum width of the lot shall be seventy-five (75) feet.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Manufactured homes placed inside Monticello city limits.

    • Each manufactured home must have a driveway and two off-street parking spaces.

    off-street parking spaces per manufactured home: 2 spaces

    “each manufactured home shall have two (2) off-street parking spaces and a driveway.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building and utility permit process inside Monticello city limits.

    • Submit the building application and plans.
    • City Inspector conducts a site inspection.
    • Construction may begin after site approval.
    • Contractor license and current $10,000 surety bond are required to obtain a permit.
    • Electrical, gas, and plumbing inspections occur before occupancy or use.
    “After the Building Permit Application is received, the City Inspector will conduct a site inspection. Once the site is approved by the City Inspector, construction can begin.”

Rules another office applies inside Monticello

Monticello 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Monticello city limits; municipal sewer rules also apply locally.

    • The city requires private systems to comply with state Department of Health recommendations.
    • The Arkansas Department of Health directs applicants to the county health unit for septic permitting.
    • Private septic systems are generally prohibited where municipal sewer requirements apply, subject to code exceptions.
    “Call the health unit in the county where the property is located and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders performing residential construction inside Monticello city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Monticello city limits.
  • Septic inspection — Private sewage disposal systems inside Monticello city limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Monticello city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural construction or land use inside Monticello 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.

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

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