Conway, AR Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Conway Municipal Code § 11.16.01 adopts a building code, together with later state-adopted editions, under A.C.A. § 14-55-207(a) to control construction, alteration, removal, demolition, use and occupancy of buildings citywide, including permits and penalties. Section 11.16.06 sets the fee schedule and warns that commencing work before permit issuance doubles the applicable permit fee. Residential fees run $0.11 per square foot under roof for new construction (minimum $250.00), additions and accessory structures, and $1.00 per $1,000.00 of construction cost for remodeling (minimum $45.00), plus a $25.00 re-inspection fee per visit.

Commercial fees run $0.14 per square foot under roof for new construction, additions, accessory structures and temporary structures (minimum $250.00 for new construction, $65.00 for additions and accessory), with the same $1.00 per $1,000.00 remodeling rate. Combined trade permits (plumbing, mechanical, electrical) run 47 percent of the building permit fee for residential work and 35 percent for commercial, each with its own minimum, and a Building Code Appeal costs $250.00. Section 11.16.07 further requires the City Engineer to review and approve site drainage systems for building projects before any building permit issues, with limited exceptions.