Bolthole Index

Union County, Arkansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Union County, Arkansas

78Index Score / 100
#15 of 75 in Arkansas

Outside El Dorado city limits, unincorporated Union County, Arkansas does not require a building permit or business license, according to official El Dorado guidance, and builders are told to contact the Arkansas State Fire Marshal's Office about the statewide Fire Prevention Code12. Inside El Dorado, the city issues building permits and zoning applies34. Septic permits for every address in the county, city or not, run through the Arkansas Department of Health and the Union County Health Unit5.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required outside El Dorado city limits1
Zoning
El Dorado has its own zoning; whether the county zones unincorporated land is unconfirmed, so ask the County Judge's office46
Septic permitting authority
Arkansas Dept. of Health Onsite Wastewater program with the Union County Health Unit; permit and plan approval before construction78
Owner-builder exemption
Yes, for your own residence, up to 1 per calendar year910
Statewide building code
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (2021 ed.) applies even without a local permit11
Nonresidential farm buildings
Exempt from state electrical-contractor licensing rules12
RV or tiny home
Private-parcel occupancy unconfirmed; qualifying parks follow state health rules1314
Private domestic well
No separate state Health Department construction approval stated; well-construction rules still apply15

Who to call

Also useful

Union County Judge

County administration, quorum-court ordinances, and operation of the county road system for Union County

(870) 864-1900

101 North Washington, Suite 101, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661

Roads & driveways

Union County Highway Department

County road maintenance and access onto county roads

(870) 864-1906

Septic permits

Union County Health Unit

Local point of contact for septic (onsite wastewater) permit questions and water testing in Union County

(870) 863-5101

Septic permits

Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Sets statewide onsite wastewater (septic) policy and reviews permit applications in cooperation with each county health department's Environmental Health Specialist

501-6612171

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

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Union County 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 Union County, Arkansas?

If you are building outside El Dorado city limits, in unincorporated Union County, official El Dorado guidance says no building permit or business license is needed12. That statement comes from city guidance rather than a county ordinance, so confirm with the County Judge's office. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide as a compliance standard even where no local permit program exists, and builders in unincorporated areas are directed to contact the Arkansas State Fire Marshal's Office about compliance112. Inside El Dorado, building permits are required for most work and the El Dorado Fire Department approves city permits, conducts compliance inspections and issues a Certificate of Occupancy when a covered project is complete1617. Confirm the parcel's jurisdiction before relying on the no-permit answer.

Who handles building permits and zoning in Union County, and how do you reach them?

Union County has no listed dedicated building or planning-and-zoning department6, so no county office issues building permits for unincorporated land. For unincorporated land, start with the Union County Judge, whose office administers quorum-court ordinances and operates the county road system; the office is at 101 North Washington, Suite 101, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661, phone (870) 864-190018. For county-road maintenance and access questions, call the Union County Highway Department at (870) 864-190619. A parcel inside El Dorado follows the city's building permit process instead; septic permits still go through the Arkansas Department of Health and the Union County Health Unit: the El Dorado Fire Department approves permits, performs compliance inspections and issues the Certificate of Occupancy after completion1617.

Does Union County have zoning?

We could not confirm whether Union County has enacted zoning for unincorporated land. The county's office directory lists no planning or zoning department, but that is not an official statement that no zoning exists6. Arkansas counties may zone all or part of their unincorporated areas through a county planning board, so the County Judge's office, which administers quorum-court ordinances, is the place to confirm2018. Inside El Dorado, zoning is administered by the city4. We found no minimum lot size, setback or building-height rule for unincorporated Union County, so do not treat the lack of a published number as proof none exists18. If you plan to subdivide or plat land, Arkansas law requires the plat to be filed with the State Surveyor's office after any city or county recording requirements, and for a subdivision using septic systems, no construction can begin on a lot until the Arkansas Department of Health approves the subdivision's onsite wastewater plan2122.

How do septic and well permits work in Union County?

Septic permits in Union County, inside El Dorado or out, go through the Arkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater program, which reviews applications with the county health department's Environmental Health Specialist23. A completed application with detailed plans must be approved by the Department of Health or its authorized agent before a building or residence is constructed, and a permit to operate is needed before the system is used824. The installer must give the authorized agent at least 24 hours' notice before starting work8. The Union County Health Unit, phone (870) 863-5101, is the local point of contact for septic questions and water testing25. If a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet of where the building sewer exits and can be reached without crossing another person's property, Arkansas rules require connection instead of a septic system or privy26. A public or semi-public well needs written Department of Health approval before construction; if the classification is uncertain, the well contractor must obtain a written determination first27. The rules cited here do not state that an ordinary private domestic well needs separate Department of Health construction approval, but contracted well or pump work remains subject to state licensing and construction requirements15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Union County?

We could not confirm a Union County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV, temporary-camping, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy on a single private parcel outside a regulated park, so ask the Union County Judge's office before buying land for that use18. Arkansas does answer the park question: a fee-based parcel with 3 or more spaces for RVs, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes is treated as a regulated park, and Department of Health approval is required before park construction or alteration begins1314. In a regulated RV park, RV occupancy is transient, typically by night or week2829. For the state park rule, a tiny house on wheels is treated as a mobile home when plumbed and inspected under the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code and as an RV otherwise30. The mobile-home park rule does not establish permission for one manufactured home on an individual parcel31.

How do you build a home in Union County, step by step?

  1. Contact the Arkansas State Fire Marshal's Office about Fire Prevention Code compliance before you start, since no local building permit is issued outside El Dorado city limits211.
  2. If you are building it yourself, confirm you qualify for Arkansas's owner-builder exemption from residential-contractor licensing, which applies as long as you build no more than one residence per calendar year910.
  3. Arrange water: public and semi-public wells need written Arkansas Department of Health approval before construction, while the cited rules do not state that an ordinary private domestic well needs separate department construction approval; contracted well and pump work still must be performed by or under a properly licensed Arkansas water-well contractor15.
  4. If you will use a septic system, get Arkansas Department of Health onsite-wastewater permit approval, in cooperation with the Union County Health Unit, before building the home and the system, and obtain the operation permit before using it8, especially if the lot is part of a platted subdivision2322.
  5. If your driveway will connect to a state highway rather than a county road, get an Arkansas Department of Transportation access driveway permit before starting work32.
  6. Check with the Union County Judge's office about any county zoning, setback or lot-size ordinance, which we could not confirm, and inside El Dorado apply for the city building permit183.

What should you check before buying land in Union County?

Union County is heavily wooded, at 90.2% forest cover, and nearly all gentle terrain, with 96.3% of land at 15% slope or less, which is good for building sites but means clearing costs on a wooded lot3334. Soils are a real constraint for septic: only about 3.5% of the county's soils have no severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for a percolation test and likely an engineered system before you count on standard septic35. Annual precipitation runs high at 55.1 inches, and the county still sees severe drought in about 17.1% of years, both worth weighing for a well or pond3637. About 5.4% of the county is federal land, and population density is low at 36 people per square mile, with the nearest city of 100,000 or more about 87 miles away383940. Farmland runs about $2,912 an acre, the typical home value is $127,395, and the effective property tax rate is a low 0.6%, for a median tax bill around $661 a year41424344. A typical home insurance premium runs about $1,757 a year45. Before you close, ask the Union County Judge's office whether any ordinance touches your parcel and have the Union County Health Unit review septic feasibility1825. For a private domestic well, choose a properly licensed Arkansas water-well contractor and evaluate yield and siting even though the cited state rules do not state that a separate Department of Health construction approval is required15.

Watch-outs

  • Whether Union County has adopted countywide zoning was not confirmed by any official source reviewed; the county's office directory lists no planning or zoning department, which is not the same as a located ordinance6.
  • Minimum lot size, setbacks, and building height for unincorporated Union County were not found in any official source; ask the County Judge's office before assuming none exist18.
  • Public and semi-public wells need written Arkansas Department of Health approval before construction, but the cited rules do not state that an ordinary private domestic well needs separate department construction approval; state construction and contractor-licensing requirements still apply15.

Sources

  1. Go El Dorado - Codes, Permits & Ordinances (2026 county census)
  2. Codes, Permits & Ordinances - El Dorado, Arkansas, quoted and re-checked
  3. Codes, Permits & Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  4. Local Government - El Dorado, Arkansas, quoted and re-checked
  5. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, quoted and re-checked
  6. Union County Arkansas - Official Site (2026 county census)
  7. Arkansas Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater (2026 county census)
  8. 14 CAR § 21-301. Generally, quoted and re-checked
  9. Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law (2026 county census)
  10. Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law, quoted and re-checked
  11. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. 17 CAR § 210-602. Construction and exemptions, quoted and re-checked
  13. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance, quoted and re-checked
  14. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  15. Title 17, Arkansas Water Well Construction Rules, quoted and re-checked
  16. Codes, Permits & Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  17. Codes, Permits & Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  18. Union County Judge (unioncountyar.com)
  19. Union County Highway Department (unioncountyar.com)
  20. House Bill 2452 — County planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. 14 CAR § 21-405. Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  23. Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (healthy.arkansas.gov)
  24. 14 CAR § 21-303. Permit Procedure, quoted and re-checked
  25. Union County Health Unit (unioncountyar.com)
  26. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. 17 CAR § 11-607. Public and semi-public wells, quoted and re-checked
  28. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, quoted and re-checked
  29. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, quoted and re-checked
  30. 20 CAR § 138-101. Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  31. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov, quoted and re-checked
  32. Regulations: Rules for Access Driveways to State Highways (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  35. 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
  36. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  38. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  39. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  41. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  42. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  43. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  44. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  45. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 5 of the neighbors with published rules, Union County has no countywide zoning.

RuleUnion CountyCalhoun CountyBradley CountyOuachita CountyColumbia CountyAshley CountyNevada County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredLimitedNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNot publishedNoNo
Septic permitsAR Dept. of HealthADHAR Dept. of HealthAR Dept. of HealthAR Dept. of HealthAR Dept. of HealthAR Dept. of Health

County locator

Union County in Arkansas

78
County map
Union County highlighted among the Arkansas counties · colored by Index score

How Union County scores

Seclusion69100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency54100% ev.
Admin Boringness89100% ev.
Durability66100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost86100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$127kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$2,912Land / acre
55.1"Annual rain
17.1% of yrsSevere drought
23.2 / yr (+19.1)Mid-century 100°F days
19 daysMid-century dry spell
2.83" (+6.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.48×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,757Home insurance / yr
0% / yrInsurance growth
0.73%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
29,536People within 30 min
780,932People within 2 hr
31,069Radius comparison (15 mi)
36People / sq mi
5.4%Federal land
96.3%Land at 15% slope or less
3.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
20,258 acWorkable land screen
90.2%Wooded land
46.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac
63.7°FAvg temp

Scout Union County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Union County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in Union County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Calion · El Dorado · Town of Felsenthal · Huttig · Junction City · Norphlet · Smackover · Strong

Answers from the rulebook for Union County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Union County rules

  • Permit processPartial

    Building-related work outside El Dorado city limits in unincorporated Union County.

    • The source states that no building permit or business license is required outside El Dorado city limits.
    • The state fire marshal’s office should be contacted in unincorporated areas concerning compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • This source is official City of El Dorado guidance, not a Union County ordinance or county department page.
    “If you are looking to build outside El Dorado city limits, you do not have to have a building permit nor a business license. The state fire marshal’s office should be contacted in unincorporated areas concerning compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Union County's official offices listing includes no planning or zoning department, and county guidance references no zoning outside municipal limits.

    Union County Arkansas - Official Site ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Arkansas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction subject to the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments.

    • The source does not impose a single statewide building-permit requirement for all private residential and commercial construction.
    • Local governments may establish prior plan approval, building-permit requirements, and construction inspections.
    • Counties, cities, or municipalities that issue building permits for new building construction are required to adopt the Arkansas Energy Code for new construction, additions, and renovations.
    • The cited document is the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code; current Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applicability should be confirmed separately.
    “A local government may exercise other administrative and enforcement procedures that it deems necessary to affect the purposes of this Code, including, but not limited to, prior plan approval, building permit requirements, and inspections during the course of construction.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction subject to the Arkansas Building Code statewide minimums, including rural and unincorporated areas.
      “They apply statewide even in areas when no permit or inspections are required.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    A person acting as residential building contractor for construction of that person's own residence, including in Union County.

    • The exemption is from the residential-contractor licensing requirements.
    • The person loses this exemption if he or she builds more than one residence during any calendar year.
    • “Own residence” means the personal residence, principal place of abode, domicile, or a residence constructed for occupancy of the property owner.

    maximum residences built: <= 1 residence per calendar year (The exemption does not apply when the person builds more than one residence during a calendar year.)

    “A person [...] in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Arkansas residential contractor licensing for an individual constructing the individual’s own residence or an owner of a single-family residence acting as the owner’s own home-improvement contractor on the owner’s property.
      “construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    State-adopted building-code requirements applicable in Arkansas, including projects in Union County.

    • The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code is adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.
    • Arkansas laws and the cited subchapter take precedence where they exceed the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • All project designs must comply with applicable Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • The City of El Dorado page states that building projects and renovations must comply with the statewide code even in rural and unincorporated areas.
    • Local permitting and enforcement arrangements may differ; the El Dorado page states that the state fire marshal’s office should be contacted in unincorporated areas.
    “Building projects and renovations must comply with this statewide code, even in rural and unincorporated areas.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction and building projects in Union County, including rural and unincorporated areas, subject to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
      “The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code applies statewide and is the fire and building code for all jurisdictions within Arkansas.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New structures and applicable alterations, additions, changes in use, and changes in structures throughout Arkansas, under the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, including Volume II for building-code requirements and Volume III for residential-code requirements.
      “Each district, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall only adopt and enforce the provisions of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition. [...] The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the International Building Code Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the International Building Code, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume II, shall be made in accordance therewith.”
    • Partial — State projects in Arkansas.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — State projects in Arkansas subject to the Building Authority Division design-review rules.
      “The adopted building code for state projects is the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 12 CAR pt. 15, as adopted by the Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire Marshal’s office. Arkansas laws and this subchapter shall have precedence over the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code where they exceed the requirements of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. All project designs shall comply with all Arkansas laws and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Other codes, rules, or standards may be applicable to a specific project. It is the department’s and design professional’s responsibility to determine all applicable codes for each specific project.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work that must comply with the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction Supplements and Amendments.

    • Inspection is required for construction or work that must comply with the cited Code.
    • Inspection may be performed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Energy Office, its agent, or the code official.
    • Code officials within a county or municipality that has adopted the Code and normally conducts final inspections shall perform final inspection and approval when the building is completed and ready for occupancy.
    • The local government may conduct additional inspections during construction.
    “Construction or work that must comply with this Code shall be subject to inspection by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission - Energy Office or its agent, or by the code official.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Open-enrollment public charter schools commencing student operations in a new or renovated facility anywhere in Arkansas.

    • Before commencing operations with students, the school must obtain one of three alternative approvals for the new construction or renovation.
    • The alternatives are: a certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official and approved by the state fire marshal; a certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or a certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.
    • A certificate of occupancy is therefore not independently mandatory when one of the two listed alternative approvals is obtained.
    “An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — State of Arkansas construction projects administered by a state owner or agency.
      “Certificates of Occupancy are not issued by any one State Agency for State projects. The responsibility therefore rests with the Owner/Agency of the project.”
    • Limited — Buildings subject to the Arkansas Energy Code when located in a county or municipality that has adopted the Code and conducts final inspections as part of normal operations.
      “An open-enrollment public charter school shall not commence operations with students in any new or renovated facility unless the school has obtained for the new construction or renovation: (1) A certificate of occupancy issued by a local code official, approved by the state fire marshal; (2) A certificate of occupancy or other approval of the state fire marshal; or (3) A certificate of substantial completion issued by a licensed architect.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Three or more recreational-vehicle spaces on a parcel where placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee, including qualifying parks in Union County.

    • The parcel is treated as a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR pt. 138.
    • The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
    • Waivers or exceptions are considered case-by-case at the Department of Health's discretion.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or extension may not begin before Department of Health approval.
    • Detailed plans must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
    • The rule does not establish the treatment of a single non-fee RV placement.

    spaces: >= 3 spaces · placement or maintenance services: provided for a fee

    “Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of recreational vehicles in Arkansas recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
      “Any parcel of land in which three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes, where placement or maintenance services, or both, are provided for a fee, whether new or existing, shall be: (1) Considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park; and (2) In compliance with this part.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas parcels operating as mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks with three or more paid spaces.

    • The rule expressly includes tiny houses on wheels among spaces triggering mobile-home or recreational-vehicle-park regulation.
    • Placement or maintenance services, or both, must be provided for a fee.
    • The parcel is considered a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR Part 138.
    • The owner or operator is responsible for compliance.
    • Waivers or exceptions are considered case by case at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of the park requires prior submission and Department approval.
    • Detailed plans and specifications must include the park layout, sewage system, water source and distribution system, buildings, parking areas, dump stations, and topographical features.
    • The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization or prohibition for a single tiny house on wheels outside a qualifying park.

    minimum qualifying spaces: >= 3 spaces (the spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes)

    “three (3) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels, or mobile homes”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Tiny houses on wheels located in Arkansas Department of Health-regulated mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks, including such parks in Union County.
      “Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code”
    • Limited — Tiny houses on wheels located in a qualifying fee-based park of three or more spaces, including such parks in Union County.
      ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
    • Limited — Occupancy of tiny houses on wheels in Arkansas mobile-home or recreational-vehicle parks regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health under 20 CAR Part 138.
      ““Tiny house on wheels” means a structure intended as a habitable dwelling for one (1) or more individuals which, for the purposes of this part, shall be considered a: (A) Mobile home, if plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; or (B) Recreational vehicle, if not plumbed and inspected in accordance with the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code;”
  • Who permits septicState

    Onsite wastewater systems in Union County, including systems in cities or counties with or without a designated authorized agent.

    • For a city or county with an authorized agent, the authorized agent acts for the Department of Health.
    • If no authorized agent has been designated for a city or county, applications must be made to the Department of Health.
    • The rule is statewide and applies in Union County.
    “applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — Onsite wastewater systems in Union County, including permit review and administration through the Arkansas Department of Health and local county health departments.
      “Environmental Health Specialist assigned to the County”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, extension, or operation of onsite wastewater systems statewide in Arkansas.

    • A completed permit application and detailed plans must be approved before construction of a building or residence.
    • Construction, installation, or modification requires permits for construction and operation before work begins.
    • A permit may be refused where public sewer is reasonably available or economically feasible, subject to the emergency-repair exception.
    • Emergency repairs may proceed without prior permit only if a permit is obtained within 10 working days.
    • Applications are made to the Department or its Authorized Agent; where no local Authorized Agent is designated, applications are made to the Department.
    • Construction must begin within one year after issuance or the permit must be revalidated.
    • The rule is effective September 5, 2024.

    public sewer connection distance: <= 300 feet (when available and connection can be made without crossing another person's property) · emergency repair permit deadline: 10 working days (after repairs are made) · permit review fee for structures 1,500 square feet or less: 30 USD · permit review fee for structures over 1,500 and up to 2,000 square feet: 45 USD · permit review fee for structures over 2,000 and up to 3,000 square feet: 90 USD · permit review fee for structures over 3,000 and up to 4,000 square feet: 120 USD · permit review fee for structures over 4,000 square feet: 150 USD · alteration, repair, or extension permit review fee: 30 USD

    “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. [...] Permit requirement. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, municipality, or governmental agency to begin construction, alteration, repair, or extension of any onsite wastewater system, owned by any other person, firm, corporation, association, municipality or governmental agency until the owner first obtains a valid Permit for Construction issued by the Department or its Authorized Agent.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, alteration, repair, extension, installation, modification, and operation of onsite wastewater systems in Union County.
      “Approved by the Department of Health or its authorized agent prior to initiating construction.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation inspection and operational approval for onsite wastewater systems in Union County.

    • Part II of the permit application is the installation inspection.
    • Inspection may occur during any phase of installation.
    • The installer must notify the authorized agent or designated representative when ready.
    • The owner or occupant must provide reasonable-time access.
    • Required documentation must be submitted to the local health unit within five days.
    • Inspection may be performed by the authorized agent or by a designated representative with authorized-agent approval.
    • The system cannot be used until the permit for operation is issued.
    • Disapproval is reviewable under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act.

    documentation submission deadline: 5 days

    “The system shall not be used until the permit for operation is issued.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Operation of onsite wastewater systems statewide in Arkansas after installation or construction.
      “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, municipality or governmental agency to begin operation of any onsite wastewater system until such system has been inspected and approved by the Department or its Authorized Agent and the owner has first obtained a Permit for Operation issued by the Department or its Authorized Agent. [...] Within five (5) days, the installer shall submit the required documentation to the local health unit that the system has been installed pursuant to the approved permit. [...] After approval of the inspection, the Authorized Agent will approve and issue a Permit for Operation. The system shall not be used until the Permit for Operation is issued.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Use of composting or incinerating toilets as components of an Arkansas onsite wastewater system.

    • Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department may be used.
    • The devices must be evaluated by an ANSI-approved laboratory under NSF Standard 41.
    • Wastewater other than urine and feces must be renovated or disposed of under Sections 8 or 9 of the rule.
    • Stabilized compost must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill.
    • The system remains subject to applicable onsite wastewater permitting and approval requirements.
    “Only pre-manufactured composting or incinerating toilets authorized by the Department”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta on Union County premises where a sanitary sewer is available within the stated distance and connection is feasible.
      “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. No privies, onsite wastewater systems or other receptacles for human excreta shall be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Water-well construction or pump installation performed by a contractor in Union County and elsewhere in Arkansas.

    • A contractor who owns and operates a water-well rig must follow Arkansas Natural Resources Commission rig-permitting requirements.
    • Each rig owned and operated by a contractor requires a separate permit for each permit year, and rig permits are not transferable.
    • No water-well contractor may operate a rig or permit an employee to operate a rig unless the contractor holds a valid commission-issued rig permit.
    • To obtain a rig permit, the contractor must hold a valid license, properly apply, and pay the required permit fee.
    • The rig permit fee is $145 and fees are nonrefundable.
    • Rig permits expire July 31 each year; renewal must be applied for no later than 30 days after expiration.
    • After August 31, renewal requires the application, applicable fee, and a $25 late penalty.
    • A license or permit held by an active-duty military service member or spouse deployed outside Arkansas does not expire until 180 days after the service member returns from active deployment.
    • Within 90 days after construction or repair, the constructor must submit a construction report to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission; test-hole reports are due within 30 days.
    • The rule applies statewide to construction or repair of water wells and prohibits construction or repair contrary to the rule.

    rig permit fee: 145 USD (Fees are nonrefundable.) · construction report deadline: <= 90 days (Test-hole reports are due within 30 days.) · rig permit expiration: July 31 (Military-deployment exception applies.) · late renewal penalty: 25 USD (Applies after August 31.)

    “A contractor who owns and operates a water well rig shall follow the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission’s rig permitting requirements. Each rig owned and operated by a contractor shall have a separate permit per permit year. Rig permits are not transferable.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Public and semi-public water-system wells in Union County.
      “Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
    • Limited — Water wells in Union County, including ordinary private domestic wells and public or semi-public wells.
      “Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
    • Limited — Wells serving public and semi-public water systems in Arkansas.
      “Wells for public and semi-public water systems shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with the respective rules of the Department of Health and shall have written approval from the department prior to the start of construction. If uncertain that a well is public or semi-public, the well contractor shall obtain a written determination from the department prior to construction.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Homes and premises where a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet from the point where the sewer exits the building and available without crossing another person's property.

    • When the stated distance and availability conditions are met, connection to the sanitary sewer is required.
    • Privies, onsite wastewater systems, and other receptacles for human excreta may not be constructed, maintained, or used on the premises under that condition.

    sewer distance from building sewer-exit point: <= 300 feet (sewer must be available without crossing another person's property)

    “All premises shall be connected to a sanitary sewer when within three hundred feet (300’) 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    State and local sales-tax exemption for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment in Arkansas.

    • The utility must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose.
    • Multiple-use meters serving eligible and noneligible structures, facilities, or equipment do not qualify.
    • The farmer must obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration before the exemption is allowed and provide it to the utility supplier.
    • Qualifying agricultural structures include commercial poultry or livestock facilities, cattle or dairy facilities, and greenhouses used for commercial production.
    • Qualifying aquaculture or horticulture equipment includes specified cooling, collection, irrigation, pond-pumping, pond-aeration, and holding or sorting-tank equipment used in commercial operations.

    exemption start date: 2014-01-01 · eligible utilities: electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (Must be separately metered and used only for the exempt purpose) · DFA certificate: true (Required before the exemption is allowed) · water exemption for commercial poultry farming start date: 2021-10-01 (Water must be used exclusively for poultry farming and separately metered)

    “Act 1441 of 2013 provides an exemption from state and local sales taxes for electricity, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas used by qualifying agricultural structures and qualifying aquaculture and horticulture equipment beginning January 1, 2014. The eligible utility must be separately metered and used only for the purpose of the exemption.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Union County, Arkansas, with respect to the cited Arkansas electrical-contractor licensing requirements.
      “The licensing requirements of Arkansas Code § 17-28-101 et seq. shall not apply to the following: [...] The construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
    • Available — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, including Union County.
      “shall not apply to the following: [...] Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
    • Conditional — Construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of a nonresidential farm building or structure in Arkansas, as an exemption from the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act requirements.
      “(b) The requirements of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority Act, Arkansas Code § 20-31-101 et seq., shall not apply to the following: [...] (2) Any construction, installation, maintenance, repair, or renovation of any nonresidential farm building or structure;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development in Arkansas, including unincorporated Union County, when onsite wastewater systems are proposed.

    • For lots less than three acres, undisturbed soils must meet the applicable seasonal-water-table depth threshold.
    • Interceptor drains may be used to determine minimum lot size when the specified soil condition exists and the drain can reduce the seasonal water-table depth.
    • Lots under three acres requiring interceptor drains must include a complete permit submittal establishing primary and secondary absorption-area siting, including the interceptor drain.
    • Drip dispersal may be used for minimum lot-size determinations only when the rule's bedrock-depth, flagged-absorption-area, and legal-description criteria are met.
    • Lots using drip dispersal for minimum lot size must be at least 0.5 acre.
    • Submission must be made to the local health unit through an approved review method.
    • Construction of any type may not begin on any lot until the Department of Health gives final approval for onsite-wastewater utilization within the subdivision.

    brief seasonal water-table soil depth: >= 13 inches minimum · adjusted moderate seasonal water-table soil depth: >= 18 inches minimum · adjusted long seasonal water-table soil depth: >= 24 inches minimum · minimum lot size for drip dispersal design: >= 0.5 acre

    “Construction of any type shall not begin upon any lot in the subdivision until final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats and subdivision development in Union County, including unincorporated areas, to the extent covered by Arkansas statewide survey and onsite-wastewater rules.
      “Construction of any type shall not begin upon any lot in the subdivision until final approval of the submission for utilization of onsite wastewater systems within the subdivision has been made by the Department of Health.”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — New subdivisions in Arkansas, including unincorporated Union County, that contain 50 or more lots, are within 2,640 feet of a lake or stream, and are not connected to a public sanitary sewer collection and treatment system.
      “unless the developer shall have first submitted to the Division of Environmental Quality for approval plans for a disposal system or systems”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats that are boundary surveys creating parcels in Arkansas.
      “Subdivision plats [...] are to be filed with the State Surveyor’s office [...] Filing is not required [...] for survey plats [...] located in a municipality [...]”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, modification, or relocation of access driveways on Arkansas State Highway right-of-way, including residential, commercial, and temporary access driveways.

    • No work may begin on State Highway right-of-way until the engineer issues the permit.
    • Applications are made to the District Engineer and include a work description, location, applicant contact information, and required drawings or deposit/bond.
    • An Access Management Agreement may require approval or a permit from the relevant jurisdiction; failure to provide it may be grounds for denial.
    • Commercial driveway permits generally require a minimum $1,000 deposit or bond per driveway, with governmental-entity waiver possible.
    • Temporary driveway access is limited to 120 days initially, extendable at 60-day intervals up to 240 days.

    commercial driveway deposit or bond: >= 1000 USD per driveway minimum (May be waived for governmental entities.) · temporary driveway initial duration: <= 120 days maximum (May be extended at 60-day intervals up to 240 total days.) · frontage limit: 50 feet or less (Limited to one driveway.) · rural setback inside adjoining property frontage: >= 10 feet minimum (Urban minimum is 5 feet; Section 6.9 exceptions may apply.)

    “A permit shall be obtained from the Department for all access driveways on State Highways.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development by an Arkansas state department on property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area.

    • The rule applies to a state department proposing the development, not generally to all private or local development statewide.
    • The department must submit an application on a form approved by the Design Review Section.
    • The application must include the application number, date, department or property owner, site address or legal description, development type, brief description, base flood elevation, lowest-floor elevation, attachment acknowledgment, and applicant contact/signature information.
    • Supporting attachments should include the FEMA map, copies of other regulatory permits such as Clean Water Act sections 401 and 404 permits, elevation certificates, a certification of no increase in base flood elevation or no-rise certificate, a flood-proofing certificate, certifications for water supply, sanitary sewer, and on-site waste disposal systems, and notification of watercourse alteration or relocation.
    • The Design Review Section reviews and approves or disapproves the application; if approved, the floodplain administrator issues a development permit for the design phase.
    • The permit must be posted during construction; the site is reviewed before final acceptance; and noncompliant work requires correction or may be designated a nonconforming use site.
    • For riverine watercourse alteration or relocation, the department must notify the division, adjacent communities, and the state NFIP Coordinator at the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission before the alteration or relocation, submit copies to the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, maintain flood-carrying capacity, and provide an engineering study of before-and-after conditions prepared by a registered professional engineer.
    • For structures and equipment pads under the state rule, elevation requirements vary by FEMA-map and base-flood-elevation availability: two feet above adjacent grade where no FEMA map exists; two feet above the Building Authority Division base flood elevation where no nearby FEMA base flood elevation data exists; and one foot above the accepted or mapped base flood elevation in the circumstances specified by 22 CAR § 111-708.

    minimum elevation where no FEMA map exists and site is flood-prone: 2 feet above adjacent grade · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists but no base flood elevation data is provided within 500 feet: 2 feet above the Building Authority Division-established base flood elevation · minimum elevation where FEMA map exists, no site base flood elevation is provided, and a base flood elevation is available within 500 feet or from another authoritative source: 1 foot above the base flood elevation accepted by the division · minimum elevation where FEMA map provides a base flood elevation at the site: 1 foot above the elevation shown on the map in the flood insurance study, if available, or as interpolated between map elevations

    “When a department proposes to develop property within the boundaries of the hundred-year floodplain or a Building Authority Division designated flood hazard area, the department shall submit an application for a development permit on a form approved by the Design Review Section.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Basic design-service fees for Arkansas state department projects governed by the Building Authority Division.

    • The schedule is based on total final construction cost, including adjustments by change order or negotiations.
    • For projects less than $50,000 or more than $50,000,000, fees may be negotiated subject to Building Authority Division approval.
    • Specified modifiers apply, including deductions for simple projects and additions for complex projects or projects requiring intensified observation.

    basic fee for construction cost $50,001 to $75,000: 9.25 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $75,001 to $100,000: 9 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $100,001 to $200,000: 8.75 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $1,000,001 to $20,000,000: 6.5 percent of total final construction cost · basic fee for construction cost $42,500,001 to $50,000,000: 4 percent of total final construction cost · fee modifier for simple projects: 1 percentage points minimum deduction · fee modifier for complex projects: 1.5 percentage points maximum addition

    “$50,001 to $75,000 | 9.25%”
  • Campground & park staysTemporary only (with conditions)

    Occupancy of recreational-vehicle spaces in Arkansas Department of Health-regulated recreational vehicle parks, including such parks in Union County.

    • The rule defines a recreational vehicle park as land for which plans have been approved by the Department of Health.
    • At least three spaces must be occupied or intended for occupancy by recreational vehicles.
    • The occupancy is for transient dwelling purposes, typically by night or week.
    • When a recreational vehicle park is proposed or remodeled, plans and specifications must be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before work begins.
    • The rule does not establish a general countywide prohibition or authorization for a single RV on private land outside a regulated park.

    minimum recreational vehicle spaces: >= 3 spaces · typical occupancy duration: night or week

    “When a mobile home, tiny house on wheels, or recreational vehicle park is proposed or remodeled, properly prepared plans and specifications for such construction, remodeling, or alteration shall be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before any work is begun.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Temporary camping or transient dwelling in Arkansas Department of Health-regulated recreational vehicle parks, including such parks in Union County.
      “When a mobile home, tiny house on wheels, or recreational vehicle park is proposed or remodeled, properly prepared plans and specifications for such construction, remodeling, or alteration shall be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before any work is begun.”
    • Limited — Mobile-home occupancy in Arkansas Department of Health-regulated mobile-home parks, including such parks in Union County; the source uses “mobile home,” not “manufactured home.”
      “shall be submitted to the Department of Health for approval before any work is begun.”
    • Limited — Camping at Arkansas state-park campsites.
      “Campers may not occupy campsites within the same park in excess of fourteen (14) days within a thirty-day period.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Arkansas counties may establish zoning ordinances for all or part of their unincorporated areas through a county planning board.

    • The county planning board may prepare or cause preparation of the ordinance.
    • The ordinance must include both a map and text.
    • Permitted subjects include building location, height, bulk, stories, size, open space, lot coverage, population density and distribution, and uses of land, buildings, and structures.
    • The ordinance may require off-street parking and loading.
    • The ordinance may provide for compatible-use districts, large-scale unified development, elimination of nonconforming uses, and other matters necessary to county health, safety, and general welfare.
    • The ordinance must designate districts or zones for all or part of the unincorporated area.
    • Regulations must be uniform throughout each district or zone.
    • The ordinance must allow and regulate home-based work as provided in Arkansas Code § 14-1-104.
    “The county planning board shall have authority to prepare, or to cause to be prepared, a zoning ordinance for all or part of the unincorporated area of the county, which ordinance shall include both a map and a text.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Arkansas county planning boards adopting zoning ordinances for all or part of a county's unincorporated area.
      “The county planning board shall have authority to prepare, or to cause to be prepared, a zoning ordinance for all or part of the unincorporated area of the county, which ordinance shall include both a map and a text.”

Inside cities and towns in Union County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building permitRequired

    Most building work, including demolition, new construction and remodeling, renovation excluding paint and flooring, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, signs, awnings, and fences, inside El Dorado city limits.

    • A permit is required for most work inside El Dorado city limits.
    • Permits require a documented cost estimate for the total project.
    • Additional information may include a property survey, approved plumbing plans from the Arkansas Department of Health Division of Plumbing, and certified architect plans.
    • Work must be performed by a licensed contractor when required by state law, and all contractors must be licensed with the City of El Dorado.
    • Building projects and renovations must comply with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • The El Dorado Fire Department approves permits, conducts compliance inspections, and issues a Certificate of Occupancy after project completion.
    “Whether you are looking to build a new facility or renovate an existing structure inside El Dorado city limits, a permit will be required for most work.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Building projects and renovations inside El Dorado city limits that undergo the City permit and code-compliance process.

    • The City has adopted the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    • The identified City responsibility includes approving permits and compliance inspections.
    “The City has adopted the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Building projects and renovations must comply with this statewide code, even in rural and unincorporated areas. The El Dorado Fire Department is responsible for approving permits, compliance inspections, and issuing a Certificate of Occupancy once the project is completed.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Building projects and renovations inside El Dorado city limits that undergo the City permit and code-compliance process.

    • The El Dorado Fire Department issues the Certificate of Occupancy once the project is completed.
    • The City has adopted the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.
    “The City has adopted the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Building projects and renovations must comply with this statewide code, even in rural and unincorporated areas. The El Dorado Fire Department is responsible for approving permits, compliance inspections, and issuing a Certificate of Occupancy once the project is completed.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning administered by the City of El Dorado within El Dorado, Arkansas.

    • The cited materials establish municipal zoning and a zoning commission/map for El Dorado; they do not establish the boundaries or detailed dimensional standards of every zoning district.
    • The historic-district ordinance applies to the City of El Dorado and to the specifically created commercial historic district.
    “periodically review the El Dorado Zoning Ordinance and recommend to the Planning Commission and the City Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of property within historic districts;”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Zoning districts — Zoning-district publication for unincorporated Union County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential dwellings in unincorporated Union County, Arkansas.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for parcels or residential lots in unincorporated Union County, Arkansas.
  • Setbacks — Dimensional setbacks for development on unincorporated land in Union County, Arkansas, including whether a quorum-court ordinance establishes setback lines or minimum distances.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Union County, Arkansas.
3 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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.

Water rights & wells in Union County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Arkansas’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Critical Groundwater Area designation in Arkansas is explicitly NON-regulatory — no water right or permit is required to drill or use a well, even inside a critical area. A new landowner can drill a household well anywhere.

Limit: non-domestic users >=50,000 gpd register; domestic exempt

Arkansas Dept of Agriculture — Water-Use Registration / Critical Groundwater Areas ↗
  • South Arkansas (Sparta) Critical Ground Water Area

    State's first CGWA (1996) over the Sparta aquifer (>360 ft of decline near El Dorado). NON-regulatory conservation designation — domestic wells never barred; Union County use was voluntarily cut and the aquifer is recovering.

    USGS WRI 99-4075 (Sparta Aquifer CGWAs) ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Arkansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Union County, Arkansas

Is Union County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Union County scores 78/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Union County, Arkansas?

Union County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater program (Union County Health Unit). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Union County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Union County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. Three or more recreational-vehicle spaces on a parcel where placement or maintenance services are provided for a fee, including qualifying parks in Union County. The parcel is treated as a mobile home or recreational vehicle park and must comply with 20 CAR pt. 138. The owner or operator is responsible for compliance. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Union County, Arkansas?

Land in Union County runs about $2,912 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Union County?

Union County gets about 55.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 17.1% of years. On water rights, Union County lies in the South Arkansas (Sparta) Critical Ground Water Area — State's first CGWA (1996) over the Sparta aquifer (>360 ft of decline near El Dorado). NON-regulatory conservation designation — domestic wells never barred; Union County use was voluntarily cut and the aquifer is recovering..

How remote is Union County?

A representative private-land location has about 29,536 people within a 30-minute drive and 780,932 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Union compares in Arkansas

Compare side-by-side →See all 75 Arkansas counties ranked →