Cleburne County, Arkansas Building Permit Guide

Cleburne County’s own rule is short: Ordinance 2021-005 says the county has no zoning or building permit requirements beyond that ordinance and state law, and that any construction in a county road right-of-way needs written permission from the County Judge (501-362-8141). Two other county ordinances still apply on rural land: a floodplain development permit for work in a special flood hazard area, and a utility permit for lines placed along county roads. Heber Springs and Fairfield Bay run their own permit offices.

Who issues permits in Cleburne County?

The County Judge’s office is at 300 West Main Street, Heber Springs, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays (501-362-8141). Ordinance 2021-005 also records that the county left the joint Cleburne County–Heber Springs Planning and Zoning Commission in 1985, and it leaves cities free to set their own zoning and building rules. Populations below are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.

Heber Springs: Chapter 11.05 of the City code, as amended on December 18, 2024 (Ordinance 2024-21), charges a house $50 for the first 500 sq ft under roof plus $0.03 for each additional square foot, with further charges per additional square foot of $0.03 for electrical, $0.03 for plumbing and $0.01 for heating and air, and $40 for the foundation, framing and construction inspections. Separate residential HVAC, electrical, gas and plumbing permits are $40 each; a building re-inspection is $10 and a trade re-inspection $20, and a fence permit is $30. A permit stays valid for one year while work keeps receiving inspections, and framing, gas or electric service and final inspections need 24 hours’ notice. The City’s own FAQ points owners outside the city limits to Ordinance 2021-005 when a lender or insurer asks for permit paperwork.

County roads and flood rules in Cleburne County

Utility and road work (Ordinance 2025-20, October 9, 2025): anyone placing a line, pipe, pole or conduit in a county-maintained road, right-of-way or road easement needs a permit from the County Judge, who may require a bond of $500 to $50,000. Key terms:

• Lines in the ditch go at least 3 ft below the ditch bottom, lines on the shoulder at least 2.5 ft down, and longitudinal lines need 36 in of cover; utilities sit in the outer 5 ft of the right-of-way.
• Drainage pipes and culverts installed by a developer or owner need a minimum depth of 24 in and must sit 6 ft outside the shoulder; driveway culverts need a minimum depth of 18 in.
• The Judge must be told four business days before work starts, the permit is valid for one year, and a variance lapses if work has not started within three months.

Driveway culverts: the County Road Department (44 Sartain Road, Quitman; 501-362-3880; Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) sizes the culvert for a new driveway on a county road. The owner buys the culvert, and the county installs it at no charge once it is on site.

Flood hazard areas (Ordinance 2025-12, April 10, 2025): the County Judge’s designee is the Floodplain Administrator, working from FEMA’s February 16, 2006 maps.

• A floodplain development permit is required before building, placing a manufactured home, clearing, grading, filling or excavating in a special flood hazard area.
• A new home in an AE zone needs its lowest floor 2 ft or more above the base flood elevation, shown on an Elevation Certificate by an Arkansas-licensed engineer, surveyor or architect; commercial buildings are elevated 2 ft or floodproofed to 3 ft above that level.
• Basements are not allowed in any special flood hazard area.
• Violations are misdemeanors: on conviction, fines of up to $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second within a year and $500 for each further one in that year, with each day a separate offense, plus restitution of the county’s costs.

FEMA lists Cleburne County, Greers Ferry, Heber Springs and Quitman as National Flood Insurance Program participants. Fairfield Bay and Higden are listed as not participating, and Concord is not listed. Septic systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health; the Office of Emergency Management is on 501-362-2911.

Steps for building in Cleburne County

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

Cleburne County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cleburne County?

No. Ordinance 2021-005 says the county has no zoning or building permit requirements beyond that ordinance and state law. Work in a county road right-of-way still needs the County Judge’s written permission, and flood hazard areas need a floodplain development permit.

How high must a new house be in a Cleburne County flood zone?

In an AE zone the lowest floor must be at least 2 ft above the base flood elevation, documented on an Elevation Certificate, and basements are not allowed.

How much is a building permit in Heber Springs?

For a house, $50 for the first 500 sq ft under roof plus $0.03 for each additional square foot, plus per-square-foot electrical, plumbing and heating and air charges, a $40 inspection fee and separate $40 trade permits.

Who installs a driveway culvert on a county road?

The County Road Department sizes it; the owner buys the culvert and the county installs it at no charge (501-362-3880).

Who issues permits in Fairfield Bay?

The City’s Building Official and Code Enforcement office, 130 Village, Suite 2A (501-884-3130). Applications are accepted in person only.

Who permits septic systems in Cleburne County?

The Arkansas Department of Health.

Official Cleburne County permit resources

• Cleburne County Ordinance 2021-005, zoning and building permits
• Cleburne County Ordinance 2025-20, construction on county roads
• Cleburne County Ordinance 2025-12, flood damage prevention
• Cleburne County Quorum Court packet, October 8, 2026
• Cleburne County Road Department and culvert policy
• Cleburne County Judge
• Heber Springs building permit fee schedule
• Heber Springs Municipal Code Chapter 11.05, permit and inspection fees
• Heber Springs permit and license portal
• Fairfield Bay Municipal Code Title 11, buildings and construction
• Fairfield Bay permit applications
• Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
• FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas

Simplify Cleburne County 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 Cleburne County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.