Paragould, Arkansas Building Permit Guide

Inside Paragould, the City Inspector’s office in the Office of Planning and Development ((870) 239-7513) issues every residential and commercial construction permit, including electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC. Applications are filed online in iWorQ, and the building permit costs $25 plus $3 to $5 per $1,000 of value, with $25 for each inspection.

Who issues building permits in Paragould?

The City Inspector holds the office of building official and is also the City’s electrical inspector and floodplain administrator; Planning and Development staff licensed by the state act as plumbing inspectors. The office answers code questions on building, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work, reviews every commercial and industrial set of plans, and handles lot splits, special use permits, zoning requests and variances. Kevin Lang is the Director of Planning and Zoning.

Paragould permits and online filing

The City Inspector’s office issues all permits for residential and commercial construction, including new buildings, additions, remodels and electrical, plumbing and HVAC projects. The Paragould iWorQ portal has five applications:

The same portal is used to resubmit plans, upload more documents and request inspections. The City asks applicants not to attach anything containing personal identification, such as a driver’s licence.

Paragould permit fees

Fees are set in section 10-51 of the City Code, revised by Ordinance 2019-21 (effective January 1, 2020) and last amended by Ordinance 2022-29 in July 2022. Every application carries a $25 fee plus the amount below.

The Code lists the per-$1,000 rates by value band without saying whether each rate applies to the whole value or only the part within its band. The building inspector checks that the cost estimate is fair and can ask for documents to support it.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC permits in Paragould

Electrical permits go only to state-licensed electricians, except that a person may do their own electrical work under the regular permit. A homeowner may also get a plumbing permit to do their own work in the single-family home they live in, or in a single-family rental they own.

Paragould adds local rules to the state trade codes: 14-gauge wire only on a dedicated 15-amp smoke detector circuit; the meter centered 48 to 66 inches above grade at a spot set by Paragould Light and Water; copper secondary conductors in conduit for services over 200 amps; a 3/4-inch conduit from outside to a central point inside for fiber optic cable; no bubble-wrap duct insulation; no cellular-core or foam-core PVC drain pipe; and only sleeved copper or one-piece PEX for water lines under a slab.

Paragould plan requirements

For any permit, plans showing the sewer, water, electric and cable locations, with all easements marked, must first be approved by the Paragould Light, Water and Cable Commission.

Any residential building with more than two units must be stamped by an Arkansas-registered design professional and include a grading and drainage design. Applicants also sign the City’s Certificate of Occupancy compliance form, agreeing that no one will store property in or occupy the building until all inspections are done and the certificate is issued.

How to get a permit in Paragould

Paragould inspections and permit time limits

Inspections are requested in iWorQ. Electrical work needs a rough-in inspection when it is far enough along and a final inspection before power is supplied. Permits for new construction expire after six months unless substantial work is under way, and then after 18 months, or 24 months for projects worth more than $3 million.

A residential building or relocation permit is valid for 12 months. If the work is not finished, one more permit of up to 180 days costs 125% of the original fee; after that the owner must ask the City Council for a final extension of up to 180 days at 150%, and the council may require a bond. No further residential permit is issued once 545 days have passed from the original permit.

Local details that matter in Paragould

Local building amendments: interior gypsum board must be at least 1/2 inch thick, house wall studs must be 16 inches on center or closer even with 2×6 framing, and townhouse fire walls need a special inspection report from the designer before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Floodplain: the City Inspector is the floodplain administrator. Article IX of the City Code adopts the Flood Damage Prevention Code dated October 12, 2009, tied to the flood maps of May 16, 2013, and violations can be fined up to $500 a day. FEMA lists Paragould as a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Pools and fences: every pool needs a barrier at least 4 ft high with a self-closing, lockable gate (an above-ground pool may use a removable or lockable ladder instead), and pool water must be drained to a storm drain or ditch, never the sewer. Fences need a site inspection by Planning and Development before construction; razor wire, sheet metal and pallets are banned, and barbed wire is allowed only in AG, M-1 and M-2 zones.

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

Frequently asked questions about Paragould permits

Who issues building permits in Paragould?

The City Inspector’s office in the Office of Planning and Development, 301 W. Court St., (870) 239-7513.

How much is a building permit in Paragould?

$25 per application plus $5 per $1,000 of value up to $15,000, $4 per $1,000 from $15,000 to $100,000 and $3 per $1,000 above that, with $25 for each inspection.

Do I need a permit to re-roof my house?

Yes. A residential re-roof permit costs $50; structures under 400 sq ft are exempt.

Can a homeowner do their own plumbing or electrical work?

Yes, with the regular permit: the City Code lets a person do their own electrical work and a homeowner do their own plumbing in the single-family home they live in or a single-family rental they own.

How long is a residential permit good for?

12 months, with one extra permit of up to 180 days at 125% of the fee.

Why do I need Paragould Light, Water and Cable?

No building permit is issued until the utility approves plans showing the sewer, water, electric and cable locations and easements.

Official Paragould permit resources

• Paragould Office of Planning and Development
• Paragould permits page
• Paragould iWorQ permit portal
• City Code Chapter 10, buildings, fees and flood rules
• Certificate of Occupancy compliance form
• Paragould agendas and minutes

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