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
Hot Springs Village is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) spanning parts of Garland and Saline counties. It is governed by the HSVPOA, a private property owners association. Building permits within the Village are administered by the POA, not by Garland County or the State of Arkansas directly. The POA's Architectural Control function and the Permitting and Inspections Division together control all construction activity within the Village. This is distinct from incorporated city government; authority derives from the POA's governing documents and Garland County Ordinance Chapter 27.
- Department
- Permitting and Inspections Division, Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association (HSVPOA) Code Enforcement Department
- Address
- POA Administration Building, 1st Floor, Room 102, 895 DeSoto Boulevard, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909
- Phone
- 501-922-5559
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CitizenServe • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine if a permit is required by reviewing the Permitting and Inspections page or calling 501-922-5562
- Create an account at https://www.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showHomePage&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=168
- Submit permit application online, uploading required documents (site plan, construction drawings, plat)
- Pay permit fee online via CitizenServe portal
- Architectural Control Committee reviews plans for conformance with POA architectural policy and building codes
- Permit is issued upon approval; post permit on site
- Schedule required inspections through the portal or by contacting the Permitting and Inspections Division
- Inspections conducted at required stages of construction
- Final inspection and certificate of completion issued
General Requirements
Permits are required for a broad range of work including: new home construction, room additions, decks, docks, swimming pools, sprinkler systems, HVAC replacement, water heater replacement, enclosing a garage, and any structural work. Also required for work on common property (tree cutting, landscaping, pruning, construction, or any encroachment on POA common areas).
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan showing property lines and proposed work location
- Construction drawings
- Plat information
- Pictures where required
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must comply with Arkansas state licensing requirements (Contractors Licensing Board). POA may require contractor registration; contact 501-922-5559.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Reported to include flat fee structures for small projects (under 1,000 sq ft) and per-square-foot rates for larger projects. Fee schedule also includes Common Property Permit Fees. Confirm current amounts with POA.
- Payment note
- Online payment accepted through CitizenServe portal. In-person payment at POA Administration Building.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Permitting and Inspections Division, Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association (HSVPOA) Code Enforcement Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CitizenServe portal (online)
- 501-922-5559 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- POA Administration Building business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Standard code-based sequence (foundation, framing, rough-in trades, insulation, final) plus any POA-specific architectural compliance checks.
Additional Resources
- Verify contractor license: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Residential Rules and Regulations (Feb 2025)
- Garland County Chapter 27 (Hot Springs Village ordinance)
- 2025 Fee Schedule
- 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 Permitting and Inspections Division, Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association (HSVPOA) Code Enforcement Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- Permits are required for a broad range of work including: new home construction, room additions, decks, docks, swimming pools, sprinkler systems, HVAC replacement, water heater replacement, enclosing a garage, and any structural work. Also required for work on common property (tree cutting, landscaping, pruning, construction, or any encroachment on POA common areas).
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- Fees are calculated as: Reported to include flat fee structures for small projects (under 1,000 sq ft) and per-square-foot rates for larger projects. Fee schedule also includes Common Property Permit Fees. Confirm current amounts with POA..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- 1. Determine if a permit is required by reviewing the Permitting and Inspections page or calling 501-922-5562 2. Create an account at https://www.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showHomePage&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=168 3. Submit permit application online, uploading required documents (site plan, construction drawings, plat) 4. Pay permit fee online via CitizenServe portal 5. Architectural Control Committee reviews plans for conformance with POA architectural policy and building codes 6. Permit is issued upon approval; post permit on site 7. Schedule required inspections through the portal or by contacting the Permitting and Inspections Division 8. Inspections conducted at required stages of construction 9. Final inspection and certificate of completion issued
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Garland County, AR?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CitizenServe portal, 501-922-5559.
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