Septic permit rules and requirements in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the state issues the septic permit itself. The code is Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems. Arkansas State Board of Health Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems §§ 2.3, 4.5 · checked 2026-09-11
The state
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-11
Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who issues a septic permit in Arkansas
The state issues the permit itself.
The rule says the state, not the county, issues the permit. The state employs the person who signs it and assigns that person to the county office.
Arkansas State Board of Health Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems §§ 2.3, 4.5 · checked 2026-09-11
The office's phone number is 501-661-2171.
This is the general Environmental Health contact number on the office's page. It is not a number specific to septic permits.
Arkansas Department of Health — Onsite Wastewater · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Arkansas Department of Health — Onsite Wastewater.
The office's own page names this address as its canonical link.
Arkansas Department of Health — Onsite Wastewater · checked 2026-09-23
Where the rule is written
The rules that govern every septic system in Arkansas are Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems. The state applies them directly.
Section 4 sets the permit process. It requires an application, a construction permit, an inspection and an operation permit before use.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
What state law requires
Does Arkansas require a septic permit?
Arkansas requires a permit to construct, alter, repair or extend an onsite wastewater system.
Rule § 4.5 sets this requirement.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
Does Arkansas require a percolation test?
The rule requires two soil pits to evaluate the soil before a permit. It then sizes the absorption area from a percolation test or a water table reading.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
The minimum septic tank size Arkansas allows.
1,000 gallons.
Applies to a house with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms.
Appendix C sets this floor for a house that size.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from a well in Arkansas.
100 feet.
Applies to any source of domestic water supply.
Rule § 6.2.3 sets this floor.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from the property line in Arkansas.
10 feet.
Applies to any property line.
Rule § 6.2.7 sets this floor.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
How often Arkansas requires a septic system inspection.
6 months.
Applies to a holding tank or an alternate wastewater system.
Rule § 12.3 sets this. A standard gravity system carries no such rule.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
Must the installer be licensed in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Department of Health registers every installer who works in the state.
The rule also makes an installer take training each year to renew.
Arkansas State Board of Health, Rules Pertaining to Onsite Wastewater Systems, promulgated under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-236-101 et seq. · checked 2026-09-23
Arkansas counties on this site
We have not published a Arkansas county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with the state office before you spend money on it.