Bolthole Index

Washington County, Arkansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Greenland, Arkansas

Inside Greenland city limits in Washington County, Arkansas, no building or structure may be built, enlarged, altered or moved without a permit from the city's building official1. Greenland also has its own zoning districts with set lot sizes and setbacks2. Septic permits come from the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent, not the city3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Greenland city limits, from the city's building official1
Inspections
The building official inspects during construction4
Zoning
Yes: Greenland sets its own residential districts (R-E, R-1, R-2) with lot-size and setback minimums526
Septic
Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent; the city's sewer rule generally bars new septic tanks37
Accessory dwelling
Conditional-use approval from the Planning Commission, family or on-site employees only8
Owner-builder
Not confirmed inside the city; Arkansas lets an owner act as their own residential contractor9
RV / tiny home living
No city rule confirmed; state park rules cover only paid sites of three or more spaces10

Who to call

Building permits

Greenland City Hall

City contact point for the building official, zoning and Planning Commission questions inside Greenland city limits

(479) 521-5760

8 E Ross St, Greenland, AR 72701

Septic permits

Washington County Health Department

Local health-department contact for septic questions and referrals to Designated Representatives who do soil work

479-521-8181 ext. 2115

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

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Greenland, Arkansas have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Greenland, Arkansas sets its own residential zoning districts, and the minimums depend on the district.

In the R-E Residential Estates district, a lot needs 1 acre and 120 feet of width at the building line, with a 30-foot front setback and 20-foot rear setback5. In R-1 Low Density Residential, the minimum lot is 10,000 square feet and 80 feet wide2. In R-2 Medium Density Residential, the minimum is 8,000 square feet and 60 feet wide6. Principal buildings in R-E, R-1 and R-2 may not exceed 35 feet in height11.

In R-2, manufactured homes are treated as a residential use alongside single-family houses and duplexes12. Accessory structures may cover no more than 10 percent of the lot13. Find the district for a specific parcel on the city's zoning map, linked from the Greenland city website, before you make an offer.

Do you need a building permit in Greenland, AR, and who issues it?

Yes. Inside Greenland city limits, a building or structure may not be built, enlarged, altered or moved without a permit from the city's building official, who may ask for plans and a list of materials1. The building official also inspects during construction and can stop defective or illegal work4.

This is a city rule. Unincorporated Washington County does not require building permits for single-family homes14, so a parcel's side of the city line decides the answer. Arkansas also applies its statewide fire prevention code, which includes residential requirements, throughout the state15.

Start at16. We could not confirm a published fee schedule or an online permit portal for Greenland, so ask City Hall what the building official needs before you apply. We also could not confirm a certificate-of-occupancy requirement inside the city.

How do septic permits work inside Greenland, Arkansas?

Septic permits are a state matter, not a city one. The Arkansas Department of Health, or its authorized agent, administers onsite wastewater permits, approvals and inspections, and where no agent is designated for a city, applications go to the Department3. A permit for construction is required before the work starts17, and the system must be inspected and approved, with a permit for operation issued, before anyone uses it18.

The bigger question inside the city is whether septic is allowed at all. Greenland's sewer code makes it unlawful to construct or maintain a privy, septic tank or cesspool where the sewer rule applies, subject to exceptions elsewhere in the chapter, and requires a sewer connection when a public sewer is within 200 feet of the property line and official notice is given7. Arkansas separately requires sewer connection when a sanitary sewer is within 300 feet and reachable without crossing another owner's land19.

Call20 for septic questions, and ask City Hall whether sewer reaches your lot.

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

We could not confirm a Greenland rule on long-term RV living or on tiny homes as their own category, so do not assume either is allowed. Ask City Hall before you buy16.

Two things are confirmed. Greenland's R-2 district allows manufactured homes as a single-family residential use, subject to the district's lot, setback, permit and code requirements12. Arkansas also regulates a parcel with three or more paid spaces for recreational vehicles, tiny houses on wheels or mobile homes as an RV or mobile home park10. That park rule does not answer whether you can live in one RV on your own lot.

An accessory dwelling can be allowed in R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2 and C-3 districts with conditional-use approval from the Planning Commission, for immediate family or on-site employees only8. The unit is capped at 1,500 square feet with at least 576 square feet, and no more than two residents8.

Building a home in Greenland: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Greenland city limits and find its zoning district on the city's zoning map2.
  2. Check the lot against the district minimums for area, width and setbacks21.
  3. Ask City Hall whether public sewer reaches the lot, because the city's sewer rule generally bars septic tanks where it applies7.
  4. If septic is allowed, apply through the Arkansas Department of Health or its authorized agent3.
  5. Get a building permit from the city's building official before work begins1.
  6. Expect inspections during construction4.
  7. Obtain the permit for operation before using any septic system18.

Every lot must front on a public street or road22.

What stays with Washington County, and what should you check before you buy in Greenland?

Greenland's rules end at the city limit. Land outside the city is unincorporated Washington County, where the county has its own zoning and setback rules; see the Washington County page for that land23.

Septic permits follow state rules whether a lot is in the city or not, with the health department as the local contact20. Floodplain rules for unincorporated land sit with Washington County Planning24. We could not confirm who administers floodplain permits inside Greenland, or any rule on private wells or short-term rentals there, so ask City Hall.

Washington County's effective property tax rate is 0.6 percent25, and typical home insurance runs about $1,855 a year26. Both are county-level figures.

Watch-outs

  • Greenland's sewer code generally bars new septic tanks where the city sewer rule applies, so a lot that looks buildable may need a sewer tap instead7.
  • County rules do not apply inside the city: Washington County does not require building permits in unincorporated areas14, but Greenland does inside city limits1.
  • We could not confirm Greenland rules on RV or tiny-home living, owner-builder exemptions, floodplain permits or private wells; call Greenland City Hall at (479) 521-5760 before relying on any of them16.

Sources

  1. Greenland Municipal Code § 11.04.01, Building—Permits required (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  2. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, District regulations (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  3. Arkansas Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), permitting requirements (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  4. Greenland Municipal Code § 11.04.01, Building—Permits required (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  5. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, Residential district dimensions (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  6. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, District regulations (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  7. Greenland Municipal Code § 10.04.02, Use of public sewers required (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  8. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.09, Accessory uses (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  9. Arkansas Residential Contractors Committee Rules and Statutes (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 20 CAR § 138-102. Compliance (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, District regulations (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  12. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, District regulations (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  13. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.09, Accessory uses (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  14. Building a residence in the county?, quoted and re-checked
  15. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Greenland City Hall (greenlandar.gov)
  17. Arkansas Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), permitting requirements (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  18. Arkansas Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems (2024), inspection and operation (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  19. codeofarrules.arkansas.gov (Arkansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Washington County Health Department (washingtoncountyar.gov)
  21. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.07, Residential district dimensions (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  22. Greenland Municipal Code § 14.04.05, General provisions (Greenland), quoted and re-checked
  23. Building a residence in the county?, quoted and re-checked
  24. Building a residence in the county?, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Typical home insurance premium: 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 Greenland

Greenland’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Any building or structure built, enlarged, altered, or moved inside Greenland city limits.

    • A permit must be obtained from the Building Official.
    • The Building Official may require plans and a statement of materials.
    “no building or structure shall be built, enlarged, altered or moved without permit from the building official, who may require a plan of the proposed work, together with a statement of their materials to be used.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings and structures under construction inside Greenland city limits.

    • The Building Official inspects during construction for legal compliance and safe prosecution of the work.
    • The Building Official may stop work for defective or illegal work.
    “the building official shall inspect all buildings or structures during construction to see that the provisions of law are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal structures in Greenland's R-1 Low Density Residential district.

    • The entire 24-foot dimension on each side must be finished on a permanent foundation.
    • This is a dimensional requirement, not a general square-footage minimum.

    minimum total dimension on each side: 24 feet (entire dimension finished on a permanent foundation)

    “each principal structure shall have a minimum total dimension on each side of twenty-four (24) feet, and the entire twenty-four (24) feet shall be finished on a permanent foundation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Principal structures in Greenland's R-E Residential Estates district.
      “each principal structure shall have a minimum total dimension on each side of twenty-four (24) feet, and the entire twenty-four (24) feet shall be finished on a permanent foundation.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential development in Greenland's R-2 Medium Density Residential district.

    • Lot sizes and dimensions are minimum.
    • Increases may be required based on Arkansas Department of Health requirements for onsite waste disposal.

    minimum lot area: 8000 square feet · minimum lot width at building line: 60 feet

    “Minimum Area 8,000 square feet Minimum Width at Building Line 60 feet Minimum Front Setback 15 feet Minimum Side Setback 7 feet (street side 25 feet) Minimum Rear Setback 15 feet”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family residential development in Greenland's R-E Residential Estates district.
      “Minimum Area 1 acre Minimum Width at Building Line 120 feet Minimum Front Setback 30 feet Minimum Side Setback 20 feet (street side 30 feet) Minimum Rear Setback 20 feet”
    • Specified — Single-family residential development in Greenland's R-1 Low Density Residential district.
      “Minimum Area 10,000 square feet Minimum Width at Building Line 80 feet Minimum Front Setback 20 feet Minimum Side Setback 10 feet (street side 25 feet) Minimum Rear Setback 15 feet”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal buildings in Greenland R-E, R-1, and R-2 residential districts.

    • Street-side setbacks differ from interior side setbacks.

    R-E front setback: 30 feet · R-E side setback: 20 feet (30 feet street side) · R-E rear setback: 20 feet · R-1 front setback: 20 feet · R-1 side setback: 10 feet (25 feet street side) · R-1 rear setback: 15 feet · R-2 front setback: 15 feet · R-2 side setback: 7 feet (25 feet street side) · R-2 rear setback: 15 feet

    “Minimum Front Setback 20 feet Minimum Side Setback 10 feet (street side 25 feet) Minimum Rear Setback 15 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Accessory structures on lots inside Greenland city limits.

    • The accessory structure may not be within a required street setback, public easement, known utility, or septic line.
    • Accessory structures must also satisfy the underlying district's side setback and height rules.

    maximum accessory-structure lot-space occupancy: <= 10 percent

    “The percentage of allowable lot space to be occupied by the accessory structure is hereby reduced from twenty percent (20%) to ten percent (10%).”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal buildings in Greenland R-E, R-1, and R-2 residential districts.

    • Accessory structures are subject to the designated district's height requirements, with a farming/ranching barn exception stated in the accessory-use provision.

    maximum principal-building height: <= 35 feet · maximum principal-building stories: <= 2.5 stories

    “no principal building shall exceed two and one-half (2 ½) stories, nor shall it exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home residential use in Greenland's R-2 Medium Density Residential district.

    • The R-2 district permits single-family residences and duplexes.
    • All applicable R-2 lot, setback, building, permit, and code requirements still apply.
    “this district is intended for application in new and existing residential areas characterized by single-family structures, including manufactured homes, and duplexes on lots of at least twelve thousand (12,000) square feet.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in Greenland R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, and C-3 districts.

    • Conditional-use approval from the Planning Commission is required.
    • The unit must house immediate family members or on-site employees and may not be used for general rental purposes.
    • Maximum one ADU per lot; maximum 1,500 square feet; minimum 576 square feet; maximum two stories; maximum two residents; infrastructure must meet city standards.
    • The ADU must comply with underlying zoning and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.

    minimum ADU size: 576 square feet (24 feet by 24 feet) · maximum ADU size: <= 1500 square feet (must not exceed principal residence size) · maximum ADUs: 1 per lot or parcel · maximum residents: <= 2 persons · maximum stories: <= 2 stories

    “accessory dwelling units shall be allowed if conditional use approval is given by the planning commission in r-e, r-1, r-2, r-3, c-1, c-2 and c-3 districts provided that the dwelling unit is used to house immediate family members or employees who work on-site.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Privies, septic tanks, cesspools, or other sewage-disposal facilities inside Greenland city limits where the city sewer rule applies.

    • The prohibition is subject to exceptions stated elsewhere in the sewer chapter.
    • Public-sewer connection is required when the sewer is within 200 feet of the property line and official notice is given.
    “except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful 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)

    Subdivision and residential-lot development inside Greenland city limits.

    • Residential-lot requirements are governed by the zoning ordinance where it applies.
    • Subdivision standards address lot shape, spacing, minimum dimensions, and public access.
    “the minimum lot requirements shall be as required by the zoning ordinance.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Every permitted use or lot inside Greenland city limits.

    • The use or lot must have access to and front on a public street or road.
    “Each permitted use or lot shall have access to, and shall front on, a public street or road.”

Rules another office applies inside Greenland

Greenland 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 septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Greenland city limits under Arkansas rules.

    • The Arkansas Department of Health or its Authorized Agent administers permits, approvals, inspections, and permits for operation.
    • Where an Authorized Agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications are made to the Department.
    “in the event that an authorized agent has not been designated for a city or county, applications for onsite wastewater systems shall be made to the department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Greenland city limits.

    • A valid Permit for Construction must be obtained before covered work begins.
    • Emergency repairs may proceed without prior notification, but a permit must be obtained within ten working days.
    “emergency repairs may be undertaken without prior notification to the authorized agent provided a permit is obtained within ten working days.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Operation of onsite wastewater systems serving property inside Greenland city limits.

    • The system must be inspected and approved before operation.
    • A Permit for Operation must be issued before the system is used.
    “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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Greenland building-permit or code requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Greenland city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Greenland city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Greenland city limits.
  • Well permit — Private or domestic water-well permit requirements affecting property inside Greenland city limits.
3 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

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

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