The Van Buren County Judge’s permit letter is direct: the county does not require any permits for building, zoning or improvements outside the incorporated areas, and it has no county rules on cell towers, building heights or building changes beyond state and federal law. The one county limit a rural builder meets is the road easement, usually 30 ft from the centerline, where nothing may be built. Clinton and Fairfield Bay publish their own permit rules.
Who issues permits in Van Buren County?
The County Judge’s office (PO Box 60, Clinton; 501-745-2443; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays) answers questions about county roads and easements. The Quorum Court meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Courthouse Annex, 1414 Highway 65 South, Clinton; its 2026 ordinances so far deal with budgets and staffing, not permits. Populations are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Clinton (2,511), county seat | City of Clinton: building permit application to the Mayor at City Hall, 211 Court Street; 501-745-8110; 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays |
| Fairfield Bay (2,028 in Van Buren; 170 in Cleburne County) | City Building Official & Code Enforcement, 130 Village, Suite 2A; 501-884-3130; applications in person only. Under Title 11 of the City code a new house costs $0.10 per sq ft under roof, and each electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas permit is charged $25 per inspection |
| Damascus (252 in Van Buren; 144 in Faulkner County) | The published sources do not describe a permit program; the Town Council’s October 13, 2026 agenda listed “Building permit – Cell tower” and a Planning Commission introduction. Town Hall, 17319 Highway 65 South; 501-335-7321 |
| Shirley (249) | The County Judge lists Shirley among the towns with their own rules; ask City Hall about them: 489 Highway 9 East, 501-723-8290 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons) |
| Unincorporated Van Buren County | No county permits for building, zoning or improvements; keep structures out of the county road easement |
Clinton rules and county roads
Clinton’s building permit: Title 11 of the Clinton Municipal Code, reissued as a single code book in 2019, requires a permit before anyone builds or significantly remodels a building in the city. The landowner files the application with the Mayor at City Hall in duplicate, giving the building type, site, outside dimensions, foundation, floor and wall materials, anchoring method and first-floor height above ground.
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Get a free quote →| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential or commercial building, first 500 sq ft under roof | $50 |
| Each additional sq ft under roof | $0.07 |
| Commercial: state construction surcharge | Construction cost × 0.0005 |
| Sign, local business | $30 up to 60 sq ft, plus $0.50 per sq ft over 60; maximum $100 |
| Subdivision plan review | $500 plus $25 per lot |
A 2,000 sq ft house therefore costs $50 plus 1,500 × $0.07 ($105), or $155. The code also requires a $25 deposit with the Clerk when the application is filed. The code says the city has, at this time, no inspection system for foundation, framing, HVAC or electrical work on homes or commercial buildings and relies on the licensed contractor; plumbing, gas, water and sewer go to the Clinton Water and Sewer Department (501-745-4320). Commercial and industrial site preparation for projects of $20,000 or more needs a separate permit approved by the Zoning Official, Street, Water and Sewer and Fire departments. Clinton’s Zoning Official is also its certified floodplain manager.
County road easements: on most county roads nothing, including fences, gates and other structures, may be built within 30 ft of the centerline. A few roads keep wider easements from their time as state highways, among them Scotland-Formosa Road, The New Road, Highway 330E and Highway 336E.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Flood maps and septic: FEMA lists Van Buren County as a National Flood Insurance Program participant with a current map dated August 19, 1991; Clinton, Shirley and Damascus also take part, and Fairfield Bay is listed as not participating. The county posts no flood ordinance; before building in a mapped flood zone, ask the County Judge’s office about floodplain requirements. Septic permits come from the Arkansas Department of Health; the county health unit is at 526 Quality Drive, Clinton (501-745-2482).
Steps for building in Van Buren County
Clinton, Damascus, Fairfield Bay and Shirley have their own rules; check the parcel against the city limits first.
File the building permit application with the Mayor at City Hall and pay $50 plus $0.07 per square foot over 500.
Print the building permit form and bring it in person to Code Enforcement, with separate trade permit forms.
No county permit is needed; set fences, gates and other structures back beyond the county road easement.
Apply through the Van Buren County health unit for the onsite wastewater permit where there is no sewer.
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
Rather not deal with the Van Buren County building department?
Get a free quote →Van Buren County permit FAQs
Does Van Buren County require a building permit?
No. The County Judge’s letter says the county requires no permits for building, zoning or improvements outside its incorporated towns.
How far from a county road can I build a fence in Van Buren County?
Most county roads have an easement 30 ft from the centerline where nothing, including fences and gates, may be built; a few former state highways have wider easements.
How much is a building permit in Clinton?
$50 for the first 500 sq ft under roof and $0.07 for each square foot after that; commercial jobs also pay a state surcharge of 0.05% of the construction cost.
Does Clinton inspect new houses?
Its code says the city has no inspection system for foundation, framing, HVAC or electrical work; plumbing goes to the Clinton Water and Sewer Department.
Who issues building permits in Fairfield Bay?
The City’s Building Official and Code Enforcement office at 130 Village, Suite 2A (501-884-3130), in person only.
Who permits septic systems in Van Buren County?
The Arkansas Department of Health, through the county health unit in Clinton.
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Get a free quote →Official Van Buren County permit resources
- Van Buren County Judge’s letter on county permits and road easements
- Van Buren County important numbers
- Van Buren County Quorum Court ordinances, minutes and agendas
- Clinton Municipal Code
- Clinton Municipal Code Title 11, buildings and construction
- City of Clinton contact
- Fairfield Bay permit applications
- Fairfield Bay Building Official and Code Enforcement
- Fairfield Bay Municipal Code Title 11, building permit fees
- Town of Damascus
- 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 Van Buren County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.