Conway County, Arkansas Building Permit Guide

On rural Conway County land there is no building permit, but two county ordinances apply. Ordinance 2019-8 requires a floodplain development permit from the County Judge, as Floodplain Administrator, for any development in a special flood hazard area, and a new home in an AE zone needs its lowest floor 2 ft above the base flood elevation. Ordinance 2001-30 requires the Judge’s permit before building or changing a driveway, drainage structure or road along a dedicated street. Morrilton’s Planning Department and Plumerville’s City Hall issue building permits in town.

Who issues permits in Conway County?

The County Judge’s office is at 117 S. Moose Street, Morrilton, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays (501-354-9640). The Judge oversees the county roads, 911 dispatch and emergency management. New addresses come from the 911 office at 117 N. Division Street (501-354-2911). Under Ordinance 2026-22, adopted September 28, 2026, 911 and the Office of Emergency Management (501-354-3577) will have separate directors no later than January 1, 2027. Populations are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.

Morrilton fees (Ordinance No. 8 of 2024, June 10, 2024): new homes, additions, remodels, detached garages, sunrooms and covered patios cost $0.07 per square foot with a $50 minimum, so a 2,000 sq ft house is $140; commercial work is $0.09 per square foot with a $100 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are $0.05 per square foot under roof for homes ($40 minimum) and $0.06 for commercial ($65 minimum), and a gas inspection is $30. Plan review is $50 residential or $100 commercial, re-inspections are $50, and starting before the permit is issued doubles the fee. Builders and subcontractors register with the City each year.

Plumerville fees: the City’s posted permit sheet charges by construction value: nothing under $1,000, $20 up to $5,000, $40 up to $25,000, $60 up to $50,000, $80 up to $100,000 and $100 above that. Plumbing and HVACR permits come from the city inspector, with a $20 HVACR inspection fee, and lines must be inspected before they are covered.

Conway County flood and road ordinances

Flood damage prevention (Ordinance 2019-8): the county adopted FEMA’s March 21, 2019 flood maps, and the ordinance also reaches the Flood Risk Areas mapped in FEMA’s Cadron and Lake Conway–Point Remove watershed studies.

• Permit first: building, placing a manufactured home, clearing, grading, filling or excavating in a special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit. The application goes to the Floodplain Administrator on the county’s forms and may need scaled plans in duplicate.
• Elevation: in AE zones a new home’s lowest floor must be at least 2 ft above the base flood elevation, recorded on an Elevation Certificate; nonresidential buildings are raised 2 ft or floodproofed to 3 ft above that level.
• No basements in any special flood hazard area.
• Appeals and penalties: the Quorum Court hears appeals, and violations are misdemeanors with fines of up to $500 a day plus court costs.

Menifee, Morrilton, Oppelo and Plumerville also take part in the National Flood Insurance Program on the same 2019 maps; in Morrilton the Chief Building Inspector is the Floodplain Administrator.

Road and driveway work (Ordinance 2001-30): nobody may build, alter, remove or replace a road, curb, gutter, drainage structure or driveway abutting a dedicated street without the County Judge’s permit. A permit to build or rebuild a road costs $100, and roads offered to the county must meet its road standards. Anyone dividing land into lots of 5 acres or less files a plat with the County Judge showing the right-of-way, the waterline and fire hydrants at least every 2,000 ft, and puts up street signs for 911 response.

Septic: onsite systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health; the county health unit is at 100 Hospital Drive, Morrilton (501-354-4652).

Steps for building in Conway 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

Conway County permit FAQs

Does Conway County issue building permits?

No general building permit. The county does require a floodplain development permit in flood hazard areas and the County Judge’s permit for driveway, drainage and road work along dedicated streets.

Who is the floodplain administrator for Conway County?

The County Judge or the Judge’s designee, at 117 S. Moose Street, Morrilton (501-354-9640).

How high must a house be built in a Conway County flood zone?

At least 2 ft above the base flood elevation in an AE zone, with an Elevation Certificate; basements are prohibited.

How much is a building permit in Morrilton?

$0.07 per square foot for residential work with a $50 minimum, and $0.09 per square foot for commercial work with a $100 minimum.

Do I need a permit to build in Plumerville?

Yes. Planning & Zoning and the City Council approve a Notice of Zoning Compliance, and the permit fee runs from nothing to $100 depending on construction value.

Who permits septic systems in Conway County?

The Arkansas Department of Health, through the county health unit in Morrilton.

Official Conway County permit resources

• Conway County Ordinance 2019-8 and Flood Damage Prevention Code
• Conway County Ordinance 2001-30, road and driveway permits
• Arkansas County Document Search (Conway County ordinances)
• Conway County Judge
• Conway County service directory
• Morrilton Planning Department
• Morrilton Ordinance No. 8 of 2024, permit fees
• Plumerville ordinances and applications
• Plumerville building permit application and guidelines
• Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
• FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas

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