Blytheville, Arkansas Building Permit Guide

Inside Blytheville city limits, building, renovation, roofing, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical and sewer permits come from the Building Division of Code Enforcement, also called the Permits and Inspections Division (870-763-4733). New buildings are charged $0.05 per square foot plus an inspection fee, and stamped plans are reviewed in up to five working days.

Who handles building permits in Blytheville?

The City’s Building Division sits inside Code Enforcement and is responsible for making sure all construction within the city limits meets state and local codes. Ricky Ash is the Building Inspector. The same office takes inspection requests, keeps the flood maps and puts items on the Planning Commission agenda.

The division asks owners and contractors to call 870-763-4733 before starting any project to find out whether a permit is needed.

Which Blytheville projects need permits?

The City lists nine permit types: building, renovation, roofing, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, sewer and a final permit. Any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work needs its own permit. The City’s own examples draw the line between a building permit and a renovation permit:

The Code of Ordinances exempts routine maintenance and repair of an existing structure. Demolishing a structure larger than 500 sq ft needs a demolition permit, and a changed use (for example a home converted to a business, or a house turned into more units) also triggers a building permit. Fence, demolition and sign permits can be filed online through the City’s iWorQ portal.

Blytheville permit fees

Fees are set in section 11.08.03 of the Blytheville Municipal Code, last revised by Ordinance 1950 on July 19, 2022. A building, demolition or trade permit costs the greater of $20 or the square-foot charge below (renovation permits are charged as calculated, with no minimum), and an inspection fee is added on top.

For example, a new 2,000 sq ft house has a building permit fee of $100, and each of its trade permits is also $100. The residential inspection fee works out to $60 for the same house ($20 plus $40); the Code says no inspection is performed until that fee is paid. Inspections after normal City working hours cost 150% of the listed fee, and weekend or holiday inspections cost 200%.

Renovation trade work is charged by unit instead: residential electrical $5 per meter loop, plumbing $5 per 5 fixtures, HVAC $2 per unit, gas $5 per 10 outlets and sewer $20 per connection, with higher commercial and industrial rates.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC permits in Blytheville

Trade permits are issued by the same division and are valid for 180 days. The Building Inspections page says electrical, plumbing and HVAC work must be done by an Arkansas licensed contractor, and the City’s FAQ adds one exception: an owner may do the work on their own primary residence, but not on rental property. Contractors must show proof of their trade licence when applying. City Code 11.04.02 F also limits residential remodeling contractors to projects of $20,000; a larger project must be done by a contractor with an Arkansas building or residential licence.

• Electrical: the City enforces the edition of the National Electrical Code currently adopted by the state Board of Electrical Examiners, and its own code requires the main disconnect to be outside, within 2 ft of the service meter.
• Plumbing: all commercial plumbing plans go to the Arkansas Department of Health in Little Rock for review.
• Gas and mechanical: the City lists the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code and the 2021 International Mechanical Code.
• Fire: fire code inspections are carried out by the Fire Marshal (870-532-5006).

What to submit with a Blytheville application

For all new construction, the City wants two copies of the plans, stamped by an Arkansas licensed architect or structural engineer. The application itself must come from the property owner and include:

• The applicant’s name, mailing address and phone number
• Duplicate scale drawings of the structure
• The property description and a plat showing every structure on the site with the setbacks
• Materials for the foundation, floor, exterior walls and roof, and how the building will be anchored to the foundation
• The height of the first floor above ground, measured before and after grading
• The proposed start date and proof of each contractor’s licence

Plan review can take up to five working days. The Building Inspector calls the applicant once the application and plans are approved and the permits are ready.

How to get a Blytheville building permit

Blytheville inspections and occupancy

Inspections are scheduled by phone with the Code Enforcement office at 870-763-4733, and the inspection fee set by the City Code must be paid before the inspection is performed. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued once construction is complete and has passed the final inspection. The Building Inspector can suspend a permit over a violation or unsafe condition, and can revoke one that was obtained by error or fraud, that stays suspended for 30 days, or whose work has been abandoned for more than 90 days.

Demolitions are inspected on site before the permit is issued to confirm the utilities are disconnected. Once work begins, the owner has 30 days to raze the structure and clear the lot; the sewer service must be capped and inspected, and any septic tank pumped before it is removed.

Local details that matter in Blytheville

Flood-prone areas: the City names two areas that flood from the Pemiscot Bayou: from Putting Green Lane to parts of Golf Links Drive along ditch Number 30, and along ditch Number 33 from Laclede to South Division Streets. Check with the Building Department before you build on, alter, regrade or fill a lot; flood maps can be viewed at the Code Enforcement Office. The City’s Flood Damage Prevention Code, dated June 18, 2010, is adopted by reference in Chapter 14.20, and violations carry fines of up to $500 a day. Blytheville is listed as a participating community in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Planning Commission: meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Police Department’s Municipal Courtroom, 1700 S. Division. It handles zoning for annexed land, rezonings, subdivision plats, lot splits and conditional or special use permits. To be placed on the agenda, call the Building Inspector.

Existing buildings: the City adopts the International Existing Building Code and the Arkansas Energy Code in their current editions, and the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code volumes I, II and III in their current edition.

Arkansas building code

Arkansas’s building code is the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, adopted by the State Fire Marshal and in force statewide since 1 January 2023; building permits are issued locally where a city or county runs a permit program, and the plumbing, gas, mechanical, energy and electrical codes are adopted by separate state agencies. The Arkansas codes

Frequently asked questions about Blytheville permits

Who issues building permits in Blytheville?

The Building Division of Code Enforcement, also called the Permits and Inspections Division, at 124 W Walnut Street (870-763-4733).

How much is a building permit for a new house in Blytheville?

$0.05 per square foot with a $20 minimum, so $100 for a 2,000 sq ft house. Inspection fees are added: $20 plus $0.02 per square foot for residential work, which is $60 at that size.

Do I need a permit for a new roof or a shed?

Yes. A new roof needs a renovation permit, a change to the roofline needs a building permit, and adding an accessory building such as a shed needs a building permit.

Can a homeowner do their own electrical or plumbing work?

The City’s FAQ says an owner can do the work on their primary residence but not on rental property; otherwise the work must be done by an Arkansas licensed contractor.

How long does plan review take?

Up to five working days after the two stamped plan sets are submitted.

How long is a Blytheville permit valid?

Building and trade permits are valid for 180 days and demolition permits for 60 days.

Can I apply online?

Fence, demolition and sign permits can be filed through the City’s iWorQ portal; other permits go through the Code Enforcement office.

Official Blytheville permit resources

• Blytheville Building Inspections & Permits
• Blytheville Inspections & Permits FAQ
• Blytheville iWorQ permit portal (fence, demolition, sign)
• Municipal Code 11.08.03, permits and fees (Ordinance 1950)
• Municipal Code Chapter 11.04, building code and demolition
• Municipal Code Chapter 14.20, flood hazard prevention
• Blytheville floodplain information
• Blytheville Planning Commission

Simplify Blytheville permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Arkansas. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Blytheville permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.