Phillips County publishes no building code or county building permit for its unincorporated land, and the courthouse in Helena-West Helena (870-338-5500) is its contact. Inside Helena-West Helena, the City’s Code Enforcement Department at 226 Perry Street (870-817-7437) inspects construction, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work, and the Municipal Code sets a home’s building permit fee at $20 for the first $1,000 of value plus $2 for each further $1,000. Elaine issues building permits and certificates of occupancy through City Hall.
Who issues building permits in Phillips County?
Arkansas.gov lists the Phillips County courthouse at 600 Cherry Street, Helena-West Helena, phone 870-338-5500; the Assessor and Collector are at 620 Cherry Street. The table shows each incorporated place with its Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Helena-West Helena (8,216) | City Code Enforcement Department, which inspects construction and trade work: 226 Perry Street, 870-817-7437, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Elaine (434) | Building Permits & Inspections, part of the Elaine Police Department; forms at City Hall, 116 Main Street, 870-827-3760 |
| Marvell (717), Lake View (284), Lexa (178) | The published sources do not say; ask the city or town hall |
| Unincorporated Phillips County | No county building permit is published; septic permits through the Department of Health |
Helena-West Helena: the merged city’s Code Enforcement Department enforces property-maintenance and land-use ordinances, and its listed duties include inspecting property to make sure state codes are met for construction, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. Under Title 11 of the Municipal Code, the Code Enforcement Officer enforces the laws on building, altering and demolishing structures, and wiring work needs a written permit before it starts. The City also has a Planning Commission and a Historic Commission (870-817-7439), and posts its zoning map with the department’s page.
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Get a free quote →Elaine: the City’s Building Permits & Inspections Department, run as part of the Elaine Police Department, issues building permits and certificates of occupancy, reviews plans and inspects construction. The City requires a permit for building, new construction, remodeling and moving a building or mobile home into the city; its fees are not posted online. Permit forms for homes and businesses are picked up at City Hall or sent by email on request. City Hall is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, except Thursdays, when it closes at noon.
Helena-West Helena building permit fees
| Building | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential | $20 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $2 for each additional $1,000 |
| Commercial | $20 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $3 for each additional $1,000 |
For example, a house valued at $150,000 has a building permit fee of $20 + 149 × $2 = $318. The fee comes from the Municipal Code the City posts with a revision date of February 2010; the City’s 2026 council agendas carry no new building fee ordinance.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Flood zones and septic systems in Phillips County
Flood zones: Phillips County joined the National Flood Insurance Program on April 1, 1988, and its current flood map is dated October 6, 2010. Elaine, Helena-West Helena, Lake View and Marvell participate as well; Lexa is not on FEMA’s list. FEMA treats the former cities of Helena and West Helena as one community, Helena-West Helena.
Septic systems: lots without sewer need an onsite wastewater permit through the Arkansas Department of Health, whose Phillips County health unit is in West Helena (870-572-9028).
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
Phillips County permit FAQs
Does Phillips County issue building permits?
No county building permit or building code is published for unincorporated Phillips County. A rural home without sewer still needs a septic permit through the Department of Health.
Rather not deal with the Phillips County building department?
Get a free quote →Who inspects construction in Helena-West Helena?
The City’s Code Enforcement Department at 226 Perry Street (870-817-7437), whose duties cover construction, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work.
How much is a building permit for a house in Helena-West Helena?
$20 for the first $1,000 of value plus $2 for each additional $1,000; a $150,000 house pays $318.
How do I get a building permit in Elaine?
Pick up the form at City Hall, 116 Main Street, or ask for it by phone at 870-827-3760.
Is Phillips County in the flood insurance program?
Yes, since 1988, with Elaine, Helena-West Helena, Lake View and Marvell. The current flood map is dated October 6, 2010.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Phillips County permit resources
- Arkansas.gov: Phillips County contacts
- Helena-West Helena Code Enforcement
- Helena-West Helena Municipal Code and ordinances
- Helena-West Helena Municipal Code Title 11: Building and Construction
- Helena-West Helena boards and commissions
- City of Elaine building permits and inspections
- Arkansas Department of Health local health unit directory
- 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 Phillips County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.