Fulton County’s government lists no building, planning or permit office, and the quorum court’s ordinances from 2024 to 2026 deal with budgets, salaries, grants and taxes rather than construction. For a house on county land, the offices that matter are the 911 Coordinator (870-895-2237), who sets addresses, and the Arkansas Department of Health, which permits septic systems. Of the county’s towns, Cherokee Village, Ash Flat, Hardy and Horseshoe Bend publish their own permit rules.
Who issues building permits in Fulton County?
The courthouse is at 123 South Main Street, Salem (870-895-3310). The County Judge (870-895-3341, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays) runs the Road Department and the Office of Emergency Management, and the quorum court meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. upstairs in the courthouse. Town phone numbers marked “county listing” come from the county’s Cities & Towns page; the others come from each city’s own site. Populations are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Salem (1,611), county seat | The published sources do not say; Salem City Hall 870-895-3478 (county listing) |
| Mammoth Spring (941) | The published sources do not say; City Hall 870-625-3518 (county listing) |
| Cherokee Village (869 in Fulton; mostly Sharp County) | City of Cherokee Village: Planning & Zoning office, City Hall, 2 Santee Dr.; (870) 257-5522; building permits through the City’s iWorQ portal. Fees follow Ordinance 2017-01 (room additions $100 to $500 by size, manufactured home $300), and a $900 lot-clearing permit is credited toward the home permit if that permit is requested within 30 days |
| Viola (371) | The published sources do not say; Viola 870-458-2704 (county listing) |
| Ash Flat (98 in Fulton; mostly Sharp County) | City of Ash Flat Code Enforcement Department, City Hall, 869 Ash Flat Dr.; (870) 994-7324. Ordinance 8-1-2026 sets a $500 permit for a new house, covering plan review and inspections |
| Hardy (36 in Fulton; mostly Sharp County) | City of Hardy: the City Code creates a Building Official who receives applications and issues permits; City Hall (870) 856-3811 |
| Horseshoe Bend (7 in Fulton; mostly Izard County) | City of Horseshoe Bend Building and Zoning, Building Inspector, 704 Commerce Street; 870-670-5113 |
| Unincorporated Fulton County | No county building permit is published; 911 address from the 911 Coordinator; septic permit from the Department of Health |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The county lists Horseshoe Bend at 870-670-5433, while the City’s own Building and Zoning page gives 870-670-5113.
Addresses, flood insurance and septic in Fulton County
911 addresses: the Fulton County E-911 Coordinator, 118 W. Locust St., Suite 202, Salem (PO Box 1125; 870-895-2237), establishes and maintains 911 addresses and the county’s address mapping with the Arkansas 911 Board and the Arkansas GIS Office. Request the address for a new home or business there.
Flood insurance: FEMA’s Community Status Book lists Fulton County as a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program’s emergency program since December 22, 2003, with no current flood map date. Salem, Mammoth Spring, Viola, Ash Flat, Cherokee Village, Hardy and Horseshoe Bend are all listed as participating. The Office of Emergency Management is at 118 West Locust St., Suite 102 (870-895-2120).
Septic systems: where there is no sewer, the Arkansas Department of Health’s local Environmental Health Specialists review onsite wastewater permits for systems under 1,500 gallons per day.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Steps for building in Fulton County
Inside Cherokee Village, Ash Flat, Hardy or Horseshoe Bend, apply to that city; in Salem, Mammoth Spring or Viola, call City Hall.
On county land without sewer, get the Department of Health permit before the house goes up.
Contact the 911 Coordinator in Salem so utilities and emergency services can find the site.
Ask the County Judge’s office about flood-prone sites; the county is in the flood program’s emergency phase without a published flood map.
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
Rather not deal with the Fulton County building department?
Get a free quote →Fulton County permit FAQs
Does Fulton County issue building permits?
The county publishes no building permit or inspection program, and its 2024–2026 ordinances create none. Cherokee Village, Ash Flat, Hardy and Horseshoe Bend issue permits inside their limits.
Who gives out 911 addresses in Fulton County?
The E-911 Coordinator, 118 W. Locust St., Suite 202, Salem (870-895-2237).
Who permits septic systems in Fulton County?
The Arkansas Department of Health, through its local Environmental Health Specialists.
Is Fulton County in the flood insurance program?
Yes, in the emergency program since December 22, 2003, without a current flood map date in FEMA’s listing.
How much is a new house permit in Ash Flat?
$500 under Ordinance 8-1-2026, covering the permit, plan review and inspections.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Fulton County permit resources
- Fulton County Judge
- Fulton County 911 Coordinator
- Fulton County cities and towns
- Fulton County 2026 reports and documents (ordinances, minutes)
- City of Cherokee Village Planning & Zoning (building permits)
- City of Ash Flat Ordinance 8-1-2026, building permit fees
- City of Horseshoe Bend Building and Zoning
- City of Hardy documents and municipal code
- Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
- FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More Arkansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Fulton County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.