5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washington County, Arkansas.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Washington County a second home is an Additional Dwelling Unit needing Planning review and a septic permit, since base zoning is one unit per acre. Fayetteville, by contrast, is strongly ADU-friendly.
Fayetteville, Ark., Unified Development Code § 164.19 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
A maximum of two (2) accessory dwelling units are permitted provided the combined square footage does not exceed 1,200 square feet. Accessory dwellings may be interior, attached, or detached from the primary dwelling, or attached to each other.
A backyard shed needs no county building permit in unincorporated Washington County, which enforces no building code for accessory structures. Zoning setbacks and a floodplain permit can still apply; cities permit sheds by size.
Washington County, Ark., Planning Department, Building Code Enforcement
Washington County does not enforce building codes for agricultural buildings or single-family homes in unincorporated areas, thus, no building permits or inspections will be required, and no certificates of occupancy will be issued unless requested.
Converting a garage in unincorporated Washington County needs no building permit, since the county enforces no building code. But making it a separate dwelling triggers Additional Dwelling Unit review and a Health Department septic permit.
Washington County, Ark., Individual Sewage Disposal Permit (Ord. 1999-26, 2003-37, 2008-33)
requires a permit for individual sewage disposal systems from the Washington County Health Department, prior to installation, on all tracts of land of any size in the unincorporated areas of Washington County upon which domestic sewage is to be created
A carport needs no county building permit in unincorporated Washington County, which enforces no building code for accessory structures. Zoning setbacks and a floodplain permit still apply; Fayetteville and Springdale require permits.
Washington County, Ark., Planning Department, Building Code Enforcement
Washington County does not enforce building codes for agricultural buildings or single-family homes in unincorporated areas, thus, no building permits or inspections will be required, and no certificates of occupancy will be issued unless requested.
A foundation tiny home is allowed on its own acre in unincorporated Washington County under the one-unit-per-acre zoning, needing a septic permit but no building inspection. On wheels, it is treated as an RV.
Washington County, Ark., Planning Department, Zoning Designation
The designated zoning for the entirety of the County's parcels is “Agricultural/Single-Family Residential, one (1) unit per acre”.
1 cities in Washington County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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