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§ AR Hot Spring County
City building permits

City of Malvern

How to apply for a building permit in City of Malvern, Arkansas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Malvern Code Enforcement / Building Official

Street address
305 Locust Street, Malvern, AR 72104
Phone
501-332-3638
Coverage
City limits of Malvern
Online portal
GovPayNow
GovPayNow
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Malvern

The city building page routes users to permit applications, permit submittal, and the municipal code; the fee schedule indicates permits are required for residential, commercial, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, roofing, fences over 7 feet, signs, street cuts, and work in the right of way.

Accessory buildings less than 200 square feet have no fee permit in the fee schedule
  • Exempt Accessory buildings less than 200 square feet have no fee permit in the fee schedule

Note: FAQ and fee schedule indicate exemptions and limited owner/trade exceptions, but no single city exemption list was published on the permit page

Required documents
  • Plot plan
  • Construction drawings when required by code
  • Detailed drawings for signs
  • Lot line and setback information
  • Other materials depending on work type
Building code
2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Vol I, II, III; 2021 Arkansas Mechanical Code; 2020 NEC; 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code; 2018 Arkansas Energy Code; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
Permit validity
Permits expire one year from issuance; work must begin within six months; extensions may be granted in 90 day increments for $40 each
Owner-builder
Residential owner-occupant and limited owner-builder exceptions are described in the city FAQ
Contractor requirements
City FAQ states licensed contractor requirements with exceptions for certain owner and low-value work; licensed tradesman required for most plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work outside limited exceptions

Source: City of Malvern Code Enforcement / Building Official ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Review the city building page and permit applications.
  2. 02
    Prepare the permit application, plot plan, and any required construction drawings.
  3. 03
    Submit plan review materials when required.
  4. 04
    Pay permit and plan review fees.
  5. 05
    Obtain permit issuance from the city building official.

Source: City of Malvern Code Enforcement / Building Official ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Malvern building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Generally $40 for many permit types
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review is $100 when full drawings are required; commercial plan review is one-half of building permit cost, capped at $1,000 per building
03
Permit fee formula
Common formula is $0.05 per square foot under roof or affected area, with category-specific minimums
04
Reinspection fee
Additional inspections/re-inspections are $30 each
05
Penalty (no permit)
Starting work before permit doubles the fee and may trigger a fine of $100 to $1,000 per day

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical sequence: Residential permits include three inspections: footing, framing, and final; plumbing new construction includes rough-in, top-out, and final; electrical new construction includes in-wall and final; mechanical new construction includes duct and final

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Malvern permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Malvern, AR? ▸
The city building page routes users to permit applications, permit submittal, and the municipal code; the fee schedule indicates permits are required for residential, commercial, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, roofing, fences over 7 feet, signs, street cuts, and work in the right of way.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Malvern, AR? ▸
Building permit fees in Malvern, AR are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Generally $40 for many permit types. Fees are calculated as: Common formula is $0.05 per square foot under roof or affected area, with category-specific minimums. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is $100 when full drawings are required; commercial plan review is one-half of building permit cost, capped at $1,000 per building.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Malvern, AR? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Malvern, AR, follow these steps: 1. Review the city building page and permit applications. 2. Prepare the permit application, plot plan, and any required construction drawings. 3. Submit plan review materials when required. 4. Pay permit and plan review fees. 5. Obtain permit issuance from the city building official.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Malvern, AR? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Malvern, AR. The following work is generally exempt: Accessory buildings less than 200 square feet have no fee permit in the fee schedule. Note: FAQ and fee schedule indicate exemptions and limited owner/trade exceptions, but no single city exemption list was published on the permit page When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026 source City of Malvern Code Enforcement / Building Official ↗ entry id permits/arkansas/hot-spring/malvern
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Malvern Code Enforcement / Building Official before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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