St. Francis County’s government publishes no building code or county building permit, so construction outside the towns is not permitted or inspected by the county. The County Judge’s office, which also runs the road department and 911 dispatch, is at 313 South Izard Street in Forrest City (870-261-1701), and a new 911 address comes from the 911 Coordinator (870-261-1709). Inside Forrest City, every new building and remodel needs building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas permits from the City’s Code Enforcement & Safety office at 225 North Washington Street ((870) 633-1315).
Who issues building permits in St. Francis County?
The County Judge heads county government, the road department, solid waste and 911 emergency dispatch. The office is at 313 South Izard Street, Suite 1, Forrest City, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays (870-261-1701 or 870-261-1708); the main courthouse line is (870) 633-2611. Populations in the table are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Forrest City (12,308) | City Code Enforcement & Safety, 225 North Washington Street, (870) 633-1315: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas permits and inspections |
| Hughes (976), Madison (713), Palestine (476), Caldwell (419), Colt (283), Wheatley (259), Widener (202) | The published sources do not say; ask the city or town hall |
| Jennette | Its 113 residents live in the Crittenden County part of the town; see the Crittenden County guide |
| Unincorporated St. Francis County | No county building permit; 911 address from the 911 Coordinator; septic permit from the Department of Health |
Forrest City: the City’s Code Enforcement office inspects all new construction and remodels, and the building permit fee follows a cost-based table in the City Code (Section 6-17). The first inspection on a site is free; later inspections are charged at residential, commercial or industrial rates.
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Get a free quote →Addresses, county roads, flood zones and septic in St. Francis County
911 addresses: the county’s 911 center at 2124 South Washington Street, Forrest City, takes emergency calls for the cities and the county. For any new 911 address, call the 911 Coordinator at 870-261-1709.
County roads: the Road Department works from 604 Martin Luther King Drive in Madison, open 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ((870) 630-0357), and handles county road work and upkeep.
Flood zones: St. Francis County has taken part in the National Flood Insurance Program since November 1, 1985, and the current flood map is dated February 18, 2005. Caldwell, Colt, Forrest City, Hughes, Madison, Palestine and Wheatley also participate; Widener is not on FEMA’s list. The county’s Office of Emergency Management, listed on the county site as OEM/911/Floodplain/Fire, is at 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City (870-261-1708).
Septic systems: an onsite wastewater system needs a permit through the Arkansas Department of Health. Its St. Francis County office is at 413 North Division Street, Forrest City (870-633-1340).
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Building in rural St. Francis County
Forrest City permits work inside its limits; for the smaller towns, ask the town hall.
Check FEMA’s map for the 2005 flood zones before choosing a building site.
Apply through the Department of Health office on North Division Street.
Call the 911 Coordinator at 870-261-1709 for the new home’s address.
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
St. Francis County permit FAQs
Does St. Francis County issue building permits?
No. The county publishes no building code or building permit for unincorporated land. A rural project still needs a 911 address and, without sewer, a septic permit through the Department of Health.
Rather not deal with the St. Francis County building department?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in Forrest City?
The City’s Code Enforcement & Safety office at 225 North Washington Street ((870) 633-1315), for building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas work.
How do I get a new address in St. Francis County?
Call the county’s 911 Coordinator at 870-261-1709.
Where is the county road department?
604 Martin Luther King Drive, Madison, (870) 630-0357.
Is St. Francis County in the flood insurance program?
Yes, since 1985, along with Caldwell, Colt, Forrest City, Hughes, Madison, Palestine and Wheatley.
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Get a free quote →Official St. Francis County permit resources
- St. Francis County Judge’s Office
- St. Francis County 911 and new addresses
- St. Francis County OEM/911/Floodplain/Fire
- St. Francis County Road & Bridge Department
- St. Francis County resources (Department of Health office)
- Forrest City Code of Ordinances
- Arkansas Department of Health: Onsite Wastewater
- FEMA Community Status Book: Arkansas
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More Arkansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about St. Francis County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.