County Building Permits
Garland County, AR - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garland County, Arkansas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Primary county authority for unincorporated floodplain development in Garland County.
- Department
- Garland County Office of Emergency Management, Floodplain Administrator
- Address
- 401 Mid-America Blvd, Hot Springs, AR
- Phone
- 501-767-3911
- hteel@garlandcounty.org
Application Process
- Verify flood-zone status using FEMA or by contacting the Floodplain Administrator.
- For SFHA properties, apply for a Floodplain Development Permit through the Garland County Office of Emergency Management.
- Submit application documentation showing NFIP compliance.
- Pay permit fee if one applies.
- Permit issued; address support is coordinated through the 911 Administrative Office.
- Construct in compliance with floodplain standards.
Source: Garland County Office of Emergency Management, Floodplain Administrator
General Requirements
Floodplain Development Permit is required for development in SFHA within unincorporated areas. No county-wide general building permit program was confirmed for non-floodplain unincorporated construction.
Required Documents
- Floodplain permit application
- NFIP elevation/construction compliance documentation
- Manufactured home foundation and anchoring documentation and hydrostatic relief openings where applicable
- Building code
- Arkansas state building code standards (2021 IBC/IRC basis) apply statewide; local floodplain standards are governed by county ordinance and NFIP.
- Contractor requirements
- Arkansas state contractor licensing requirements apply.
Fees
- Payment note
- In-person at Emergency Management office; contact 501-767-3911.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Properties outside Special Flood Hazard Areas may obtain an exemption certificate instead of a floodplain permit.
- Minor maintenance and repair work not defined as development under NFIP may be exempt from floodplain permitting.
Important: Because there is no general county building permit program, exemption language is primarily floodplain-specific.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 501-767-3911 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: NFIP floodplain inspections as required (including pre-construction and post-construction items as directed).
Additional Resources
- Building code: Arkansas state building code standards (2021 IBC/IRC basis) apply statewide; local floodplain standards are governed by county ordinance and NFIP.
- Verify contractor license: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County map resources
- County code ordinances (building and burning)
- Floodplain FAQ
- Garland County addressing
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- License lookup guide: Arkansas Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Arkansas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Arkansas hub: Arkansas Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Garland County Office of Emergency Management, Floodplain Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- Floodplain Development Permit is required for development in SFHA within unincorporated areas. No county-wide general building permit program was confirmed for non-floodplain unincorporated construction.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- 1. Verify flood-zone status using FEMA or by contacting the Floodplain Administrator. 2. For SFHA properties, apply for a Floodplain Development Permit through the Garland County Office of Emergency Management. 3. Submit application documentation showing NFIP compliance. 4. Pay permit fee if one applies. 5. Permit issued; address support is coordinated through the 911 Administrative Office. 6. Construct in compliance with floodplain standards.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- The following work is generally exempt: Properties outside Special Flood Hazard Areas may obtain an exemption certificate instead of a floodplain permit.; Minor maintenance and repair work not defined as development under NFIP may be exempt from floodplain permitting.. Note: Because there is no general county building permit program, exemption language is primarily floodplain-specific.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 501-767-3911.
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