Hempstead County’s government publishes no building permit, inspection program or building ordinance for unincorporated land; its departments cover roads, records, taxes and emergency services. Inside Hope, the City’s Building Services office (870-722-2505) handles all building permits and inspections and takes applications through an online portal. In the rest of the county, the OEM/911 Coordinator assigns addresses and the Arkansas Department of Health permits septic systems.
Who issues building permits in Hempstead County?
The County Judge’s office (870-777-6164) runs the county road system and administers the Quorum Court’s ordinances; county mail goes to PO Box 1420, Hope. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 populations are in brackets.
| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Hope (8,445) | City Building Services, Public Works, 1603 W. 3rd St.; 870-722-2505; online iWorQ portal |
| Blevins (282), Perrytown (222), Fulton (111), Washington (92), Oakhaven (63), Patmos (57), McCaskill (56), Ozan (49), McNab (28) | The published sources do not say; ask the town hall |
| Emmet (16 residents in Hempstead County) | Most of Emmet is in Nevada County; the published sources do not say who permits |
| Unincorporated Hempstead County | No county building permit; 911 address from the OEM/911 Coordinator |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Hope: the Building Official issues building permits, makes building inspections and works with the Planning and Zoning Commission on rezoning cases, while the Code Enforcement Officer makes the plumbing, electrical, HVAC and gas inspections. The City enforces the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (fire, building and residential volumes), the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes, the 2021 Arkansas Mechanical Code, the 2014 Arkansas Energy Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
What a Hope building permit application needs
Applied for online
- New houses and commercial buildings
- Additions
- Remodels
- Mobile homes
- Commercial accessory buildings
With the application
- A drawing or sketch of the work and a site plan
- A copy of the deed and a survey
- Estimated cost, building dimensions and square footage
- Names and licence numbers of the building, plumbing, electrical and heat and air contractors
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Hope reviews residential applications within 5 to 7 business days; commercial plans take longer. The City works out the fee once it has the full application, and it must be paid before the permit is issued. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC permits are separate and are issued to the licensed trade contractors, who also request their own inspections. Hope Water & Light reviews the electric and water connections.
Addresses, flood zones and septic systems in the county
911 addresses: the county’s OEM/911 Coordinator manages the 911 dispatch center and takes new address requests online through the county’s address request link. The county’s main line is (870) 777-7800.
Flood insurance: FEMA’s Community Status Book shows Hempstead County joined the National Flood Insurance Program on October 1, 2007, with flood maps dated April 4, 2011, so building in its mapped flood hazard areas is subject to the county’s floodplain rules. Hope, Fulton and Emmet also participate. Blevins (listed by FEMA as “Blevens”), Perrytown and Washington are among the communities not in the program, and FEMA does not list McCaskill, McNab, Oakhaven, Ozan or Patmos.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Septic systems: lots without sewer need an onsite wastewater permit; the Arkansas Department of Health reviews applications for systems under 1,500 gallons per day with its local environmental specialists.
Steps for building in Hempstead County
Inside Hope, apply through the City’s online portal; in the smaller towns, call the town first.
The county and Hope both take part in the flood insurance program, so mapped flood zones carry building rules.
Rural lots without sewer need Department of Health approval for the onsite system.
Use the county’s online address request so utilities and emergency services can find the site.
In Hope, each licensed plumber, electrician and HVAC contractor pulls a separate permit and calls for inspections.
Rather not deal with the Hempstead County building department?
Get a free quote →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
Hempstead County permit FAQs
Does Hempstead County issue building permits?
No county building permit or inspection program is published. Hope permits and inspects construction inside its limits.
How long does a building permit take in Hope?
Hope reviews residential applications within 5 to 7 business days; commercial applications take longer because of plan review.
What do I need to apply for a house permit in Hope?
A sketch of the work, a site plan, a copy of the deed and a survey, the estimated cost and your contractors’ licence numbers.
Who assigns a new address in rural Hempstead County?
The county OEM/911 Coordinator, through the online address request. The county’s main line is (870) 777-7800.
Is Hempstead County in the flood insurance program?
Yes, since October 1, 2007, along with Hope, Fulton and Emmet.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Hempstead County permit resources
- Hempstead County Judge
- Hempstead County OEM/911 Coordinator
- Hempstead County 911 address request
- City of Hope Building Services / Code Enforcement
- City of Hope building applications and forms
- City of Hope online building permit portal (iWorQ)
- Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
- FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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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.
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More Arkansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hempstead County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.