Arkansas septic permit requirements
Statewide. Rules are uniform across Arkansas; applications are filed through your county health unit rather than a county-written ordinance.
- Issuing agency: Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program
- Sourced from the agency itself
The permit process, step by step
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| 1. Hire a Designated Representative | A DR is certified by ADH to perform the percolation test, evaluate the site, and design the system. Only Registered Professional Engineers, Registered Professional Land Surveyors, Registered Professional Sanitarians, and Licensed Master Plumbers can hold this role. |
| 2. Permit to construct | The DR prepares the application; ADH or its authorized agent must approve it before any construction begins. |
| 3. Installation by a licensed installer | Work is performed by an Advanced Septic Installer licensee. Pumping and cleaning require a separate Septic Tank Cleaner truck license. |
| 4. Permit to operate | A second ADH permit covers operation once the system is installed and approved. |
Source: healthy.arkansas.gov. rules change; confirm with the agency before starting work.
What trips people up
- Two permits, not one, construction and operation are separate ADH approvals.
- You cannot self-design: the Designated Representative requirement is a licensure gate, not paperwork.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plan review, alternative/experimental systems | $30, submitted with the application to the local health unit |
County-specific requirements
Local rules that differ from, or add to, the state process.
Find a licensed pro in Arkansas
- Batesville
- Bella Vista
- Benton
- Bentonville
- Cabot
- Carlisle
- Clinton
- Conway
- Diaz
- Elkins
- Fayetteville
- Fort Smith
- Garfield
- Gentry
- Gravette
- Greenbrier
- Harrison
- Heber Springs
- Horseshoe Bend
- Hot Springs
- Hoxie
- Huntsville
- Jonesboro
- Keo
State licensing records: official roster. Every SepticNear listing is checked against it. All Arkansas coverage →
Common questions
Who issues septic permits in Arkansas?
Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program. Statewide. Rules are uniform across Arkansas; applications are filed through your county health unit rather than a county-written ordinance.
Do I need a soil or percolation test?
Most jurisdictions require a soil evaluation before a system can be designed or permitted.
Can I install my own septic system in Arkansas?
You cannot self-design: the Designated Representative requirement is a licensure gate, not paperwork.
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