Jackson County’s codified ordinances contain no building code or permit for unincorporated land. What they do contain affects rural projects directly: a flood damage prevention chapter for mapped flood hazard areas, a rule that no one may cut into a county road or right-of-way without the County Judge’s authorization, a requirement to get a 911 address before electric service is extended, and a 2025 notice rule for tall structures near private airstrips. Inside Newport, building permits come from the City’s Inspection and Building Code Enforcement Officer at the Municipal Building.
Who issues building permits in Jackson County?
The County Judge’s office is at the courthouse, 208 Main St., Newport ((870) 523-7400). The county’s Code of Ordinances is published online by American Legal Publishing and is current through ordinances passed on December 22, 2025. Populations below are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Newport (8,193), county seat | City Inspection / Building Code Enforcement Officer, Municipal Building, 615 Third Street; (870) 523-6568 ext. 3, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Apply by phone or in person; no online application yet |
| Tuckerman (1,649) | The published sources do not set out a building permit or fee; City Hall, 200 W Main, 870-349-5313. City ordinances refer to a City Inspector, require permits from the Mayor’s Office for utility boring or excavation, and set up a flood damage prevention program for its mapped flood areas (Ordinance 2017-6) |
| Diaz (1,200), Swifton (709), Grubbs (299), Campbell Station (218), Jacksonport (148), Beedeville (81), Amagon (71), Tupelo (69), Weldon (59) | The published sources do not say; ask the town hall |
| Unincorporated Jackson County | No county building permit; flood hazard areas fall under code chapter 150; road cuts need the County Judge’s authorization; address from the county 911 Office |
Newport: the City requires a permit for most new construction, additions and significant renovations, including roof replacements and electrical or plumbing work. Have the property address and parcel, a description of the work, a site plan or drawings, the contractor’s licence details and the estimated project value ready when you call or visit. The City’s council agendas and minutes from 2024 to April 2026 show no change to building permit fees.
Tuckerman: any new home or business must install an emergency shut-off valve on the owner’s side of the water meter (Ordinance 2024-025). Ordinance 2023-007 sets a $150 new service deposit and tap fees of “$400 for new service, $150 for tap water, and $125 for sewer.”
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County flood, road, address and airstrip rules
Flood damage prevention: chapter 150 of the county code (Ordinance 2017-4, amended by Ordinance 2021-2) adopts the county’s Flood Damage Prevention Code dated February 11, 2021, kept at the County Clerk’s office, and cites a Flood Insurance Study and flood map dated September 25, 2020. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists the county as a participating community but gives its current map date as June 7, 2017. The Floodplain Administrator can issue cease-and-desist orders, must-appear affidavit warrants and deed notices, and violations are misdemeanors with fines of up to $500 a day. Every town except Weldon is listed as participating in the flood insurance program.
County roads: county roads are presumed to be 50 feet wide, with at least 25 feet of right-of-way each side of the center line (section 93.02). Cutting, digging or damaging a county road or right-of-way needs the County Judge’s authorization first, and the Judge may require a bond to cover repairs; changing a road’s natural drainage is prohibited (section 93.01).
911 addresses: in the unincorporated county the owner applies to the county 911 Office for the address, and the address must be known before electric service is extended to the building site; inside the towns the city assigns it (section 93.21). The Newport Police Department operates the county-wide 911 system.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Private airstrips: since Ordinance 2025-2 (June 12, 2025), a landowner next to a private airstrip who plans a building, tower, water tank or other structure taller than 100 feet must notify the airstrip owner at least 60 days before construction, by personal delivery, by leaving the notice at the owner’s home or business, or by certified mail.
Septic systems: rural lots without sewer need an onsite wastewater permit from the Department of Health’s local Environmental Health Specialists.
Steps for building in Jackson County
In Newport, call the Building Code Enforcement Officer; in other towns, call City Hall.
Development in a mapped flood hazard area must meet chapter 150 of the county code.
Get the County Judge’s authorization before cutting into a county road or right-of-way for a driveway or line.
Apply to the county 911 Office before electric service is run to the site.
Apply through the Department of Health on an unsewered lot.
Rather not deal with the Jackson 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
Jackson County permit FAQs
Does Jackson County issue building permits?
No. Its code has no building permit for unincorporated land, but it does regulate flood hazard areas, county road rights-of-way and rural addresses.
Who issues building permits in Newport?
The City’s Inspection and Building Code Enforcement Officer at the Municipal Building, 615 Third Street; call (870) 523-6568 and press 3.
Can I cut a driveway into a county road?
Only with the County Judge’s authorization, and the Judge may require a bond to cover repairs.
When do I need a 911 address on rural land?
Before electric service is extended to the building site; apply to the county 911 Office.
Do I have to tell a neighbor with a private airstrip before building?
Yes, if the structure will be taller than 100 feet: notify the airstrip owner at least 60 days before construction under Ordinance 2025-2.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Jackson County permit resources
- Jackson County Judge
- Jackson County Code of Ordinances (American Legal)
- Jackson County code chapter 150, flood damage prevention
- Jackson County code chapter 93, county roads and house numbering
- Jackson County code chapter 96, private airstrips
- City of Newport building permits
- City of Tuckerman ordinances
- 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 Jackson County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.