Franklin County does not issue building permits, and its quorum court has passed no building, zoning or planning ordinance in 2024–2026. Ozark and Charleston each have a city building inspector who issues permits inside the city limits. In the unincorporated county the county’s own requirements are a floodplain development permit for work in a special flood hazard area and a permit before building, maintaining or altering a road.
What Franklin County itself regulates
The County Judge runs the county roads and administers the quorum court’s ordinances from the courthouse in Ozark. The construction rules on the county’s ordinance record are its flood ordinances (2011-10 and 1997-13) and its road ordinances, and the Office of Emergency Management, in the courthouse basement, coordinates the county’s rural fire departments. New 911 addresses come from the Assessor’s office.
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| County Judge Rickey Bowman (roads, road permits, ordinances) | 211 West Commercial, Ozark, AR 72949; 479-667-4726 |
| Road Department | 1601 Airport Rd., Ozark; 479-667-4726 |
| 911 addresses (County Assessor) | 219 West Main Street, Ozark; 479-667-2415 |
| Office of Emergency Management | 211 West Commercial, Suite 8, Ozark; 479-667-4909 (non-emergency) |
| Septic systems | Arkansas Department of Health |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in each town
The Census Bureau lists six incorporated places in Franklin County (Vintage 2025 estimates in brackets).
- Ozark (3,628): the city’s Building/Construction Permit Application is filed at City Hall, 2910 W. Commercial St. (479-667-2238), and the Ozark City Inspector is reached at 479-667-7362. The city’s permit fee table runs from $5 for work up to $100 to $357.50 for a $100,000 residential project, plus $1 for each added $1,000, and nonresidential buildings also pay the state’s 50 cents per $1,000.
- Charleston (2,760): Building Inspections & Permits, Ethan Phillips, (479) 965-6265. The city asks for its Building & Construction Permit Application and the residential or commercial document list, reviews the plans, collects the fee, inspects during construction and issues the certificate of occupancy after the final inspections.
- Altus (681), Branch (314), Denning (209) and Wiederkehr Village (39): the published sources do not show a town building permit; ask the town hall before building.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County rules for unincorporated land
Floodplain development permits: General Ordinance 2011-10, passed July 14, 2011, adopts by reference the Flood Damage Prevention Code for Franklin County of the same date and applies it to every special flood hazard area in the county’s jurisdiction, mapped on the flood insurance rate maps effective August 2, 2011. A copy of the code is on file with the County Clerk, the Floodplain Administrator enforces it, and violations can be fined up to $500 a day. Franklin County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Utility connections: Ordinance 1997-13 requires a signed copy of the floodplain development permit to be given to the electric utility and the public water system before either connects service to a new building or residence.
County roads: a county ordinance requires a permit before anyone builds, maintains or alters a road in Franklin County, and county roads used by oil and gas operators with heavy equipment must be bonded. A private road is taken into the county maintenance system only if it meets the road specifications the quorum court has set by ordinance.
Septic systems: on-site wastewater systems are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to start a project in Franklin County
Inside either city, apply to the city building inspector.
Call the Assessor’s office at 479-667-2415.
In a special flood hazard area, get the floodplain development permit before building; the utilities need a copy before connecting service.
Apply to the Arkansas Department of Health for an on-site system.
Building, maintaining or altering a road needs a county permit; road damage is reported to the County Judge’s office.
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
Franklin County permitting FAQs
Does Franklin County issue building permits?
No. Ozark and Charleston issue building permits inside their limits; the county requires floodplain development permits in flood zones and permits for road work.
Who issues building permits in Ozark?
The City of Ozark. File the Building/Construction Permit Application at City Hall, 2910 W. Commercial St., and contact the City Inspector at 479-667-7362.
Rather not deal with the Franklin County building department?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in Charleston?
Charleston’s Building Inspections & Permits office, (479) 965-6265.
Where do I get a 911 address?
From the Franklin County Assessor’s office, 219 West Main Street, Ozark, 479-667-2415.
Do I need a county permit to build in a flood zone?
Yes. Development in a special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit under the county’s 2011 flood code, and the electric and water utilities must see it before connecting a new building.
Official Franklin County permit resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Franklin County Judge
- Franklin County Road Department
- Franklin County Office of Emergency Management
- Franklin County OEM FAQ (911 addresses, road damage)
- General Ordinance 2011-10, Franklin County flood damage prevention
- Ordinance 1997-13, development permit before utility connection
- Franklin County quorum court ordinance search
- City of Ozark building/construction permit application
- City of Ozark building permit fees
- City of Charleston building inspections and permits
- 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code rules
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More Arkansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Franklin County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.