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Environmental Rules in Benton County, AR (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Benton County, Arkansas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Benton County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Stormwater Management

Site work in unincorporated Benton County triggers a stormwater review: Sec. 38-1 has the planning office check every new address assignment for floodplain and stormwater applicability, and Sec. 54-5 sets the stormwater permit fee at $50.00 for one acre or less and $100.00 above that.

Benton County Stormwater Permits Cost $50 To $100

Some Restrictions

Benton County, AR Code of Ordinances, Sec. 38-1; Sec. 54-5

Sec. 38-1. Required floodplain and stormwater checks. After the receipt of an address assignment, as provided in chapter 58, article III, the planning office shall determine whether the site is located in a designated floodplain, and the applicability of stormwater regulations. Notifications to affected parties of the necessity to comply with county floodplain regulations, and that state and/or...

Erosion Control

Any construction site in unincorporated Benton County that disturbs an acre or more of soil, including a single lot inside a bigger subdivision, needs a certified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan before work starts. The county's Environmental Affairs Officer reviews it, and Planning staff won't clear the site for construction until it's filed.

Benton County Requires An SWP3 Over One Acre

Some Restrictions

Benton County Planning and Development Regulations, Ch. VIII § 8.3(B)

This provision applies to all construction sites where construction on a site will disturb soil or remove vegetation on one (1) or more acres of land during the life of the construction project; this shall include a single lot in a subdivision regardless of size. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) for the project must be provided and implemented by the construction site owner as foll...

Flood Zones

Any construction or land alteration in a Benton County special flood hazard area needs a development permit before work starts. Sec. 38-51 requires the permit and a posted notice on site, and Sec. 38-29 applies the rule to every FEMA-mapped flood hazard area in the county.

Benton County Requires A Floodplain Development Permit

Significant Restrictions

Benton County Code of Ordinances § 38-51

Sec. 38-29. Lands to which this article applies. This article shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the county. Sec. 38-51. Development permit. A development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with this article. The permitted site shall be posted with a notice, provided by the floodplain administrator, evidencing the issuance of a development pe...

Flood Elevation Requirements

New and substantially improved buildings in Benton County's mapped flood hazard zones must have their lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Sec. 38-73(1) sets that freeboard for homes and (2) gives commercial buildings a floodproofing alternative, both certified by a licensed professional.

Benton County Flood Zones Require One-Foot Freeboard

Some Restrictions

Benton County, AR Code of Ordinances § 38-73(1), (2)

Sec. 38-73. Specific standards. In all areas of special flood hazards (zones A and AE), except areas of shallow flooding (zones AO and AH), the following are required: (1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above an elevation one foot above the base flood elevation. A...

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