Unincorporated Washington County

Building permits are NOT required for single-family homes, agricultural buildings, or residential accessory structures in unincorporated areas. Conditional use permits are required for commercial uses and uses not permitted by right under the default zoning.

• Exempt Single-family residential construction (no permit required in unincorporated areas)
• Exempt Agricultural buildings of all types
• Exempt Residential accessory structures (sheds, barns, garages)
• Exempt Any work on existing residential structures in unincorporated areas

Building code

Washington County does not adopt or enforce a building code for residential or agricultural structures in unincorporated areas. No inspections are conducted.

Contractor requirements

Arkansas state contractor licensing applies; county does not impose additional requirements.

1. 01
   Determine whether your project is in unincorporated Washington County (outside city/town limits).
2. 02
   For standard single-family residential or agricultural structures, no building permit is required by the county.
3. 03
   Conditional use permits are required for any land use other than agricultural or single-family residential.
4. 04
   Submit applicable planning application forms to the Planning Office with required documentation.

Source: Washington County Planning Office ↗

Typical sequence: No building inspections are conducted by the county for residential or agricultural work.