Drew County, Arkansas Building Permit Guide

The Drew County ordinances in the Arkansas County Document Search, which goes back to 2022, set up no building code and no county building permit, so the county does not permit or inspect construction outside the towns. Its offices assign 911 addresses and run the county roads, and septic systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health. In Monticello, the City’s permit office at 114 West Wood Avenue (870-367-4402) issues building and trade permits: a new house costs a $15 permit fee plus $0.15 per square foot under roof, plus $35 for each inspection.

Who issues building permits in Drew County?

The County Judge’s office is in the courthouse at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays ((870) 460-6200, extension 6). The Quorum Court meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the District Court Building, 107 East Jackson Avenue. Populations in the table are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.

Monticello: the permit process starts with the City’s Building Permit Application (Form A1), ideally with the building plans. The City Inspector then visits the site, and construction can begin only after the site is approved. Every contractor must submit their licence and keep a current $10,000 surety bond on file with the City. Anyone other than the owner-resident doing plumbing or electrical work must also be bonded for $10,000. Gas, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work each need their own permit and inspections. The application also carries a Fire Marshal’s report and a line for Planning Commission approval, and a lot in a flood-prone area needs an engineer’s or surveyor’s certificate of the lowest floor elevation.

Monticello permit fees

For example, a 2,000 sq ft house has a building permit fee of $15 + $300 = $315, plus $35 for each building inspection. The fee page names foundation, framing, masonry and final inspections, while the City’s checklist lists framing and masonry as one inspection, so the number of $35 charges depends on the job. The City’s new-construction checklist also sets a $50 minimum for remodels and for plumbing, electrical and HVAC permits, which the web page does not show. An occupancy permit is issued only after every other inspection has passed.

Rural Drew County: roads, water, flood zones and addresses

Addresses: the Office of Emergency Management/911 assigns 911 addresses; its office is at 295 Airport Road (870-460-6203).

County roads: the Road Department at 295 Airport Road (870-460-6205, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) builds and maintains county roads, bridges, culverts and roadside ditches, and asks everyone to call 811 before digging. The Quorum Court’s September 14, 2026 agenda listed an item titled “Appropriation Ordinance 2026-43 Utility Permits”; its outcome has not been posted.

City water near Monticello: the City’s permits page says any building project outside Monticello’s limits must sign a pre-annexation agreement to tie onto city water, and Ordinance 846 (June 27, 2023) requires City Council approval for any new water or sewer extension or tie-on outside the city. Ordinance 861 of May 2025 sets the tap fee outside the city at $550 for a ¾-inch meter, $850 for 1-inch and $1,550 for 2-inch, plus an extra $500 per tap for customers outside city limits.

Flood zones: FEMA lists Drew County as a participating National Flood Insurance Program community since July 1, 2009, with a current flood map dated January 6, 2011. Monticello, Tillar, Wilmar and Winchester participate too.

Septic systems: on a lot without sewer, the Arkansas Department of Health issues the onsite wastewater permit; the Drew County Health Department’s number is 870-367-6234.

Data centers: Ordinance 2023-22 sets noise limits for data centers in unincorporated Drew County of 65 dBA from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 55 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., measured by a third-party acoustic engineer at the neighboring property line. A data center out of compliance must stop operating until it meets the limits.

Building in Drew County, step by step

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

Drew County permit FAQs

Does Drew County issue building permits?

No. None of the county ordinances posted since 2022 creates a county building permit. Rural projects still need a 911 address, a septic permit from the Department of Health where there is no sewer, and attention to the flood map.

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

$15 plus $0.15 per square foot under roof, so $315 for 2,000 sq ft, plus $35 for each inspection. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC permits are separate.

Can a homeowner do their own plumbing or wiring in Monticello?

The City’s $10,000 bonding rule for plumbing and electrical work does not apply to the owner-resident, but the work still needs its own permit and inspections.

Can I get Monticello city water outside the city limits?

Only after signing a pre-annexation agreement, and new tie-ons outside the city need City Council approval. A ¾-inch tap outside the limits costs $550 plus an extra $500.

Who assigns addresses in Drew County?

The Office of Emergency Management/911, at 295 Airport Road (870-460-6203).

Is Drew County in the flood insurance program?

Yes. The county, Monticello, Tillar, Wilmar and Winchester all participate.

Official Drew County permit resources

• Drew County Judge
• Drew County Office of Emergency Management/911
• Drew County Road Department
• Arkansas County Document Search (Drew County ordinances)
• Drew County Ordinance 2023-22: data center noise
• City of Monticello licenses and permits
• Monticello checklist for new construction
• Monticello Ordinance 861: water tap fees
• Monticello pre-annexation agreement
• Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
• FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas

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