State guide
Arkansas
Arkansas runs onsite wastewater through the Arkansas Department of Health, with Environmental Health Specialists working in county health departments and designated representatives preparing permit applications. Arkansas also publishes a searchable statewide licensee database for designated representatives and installers, which is unusually useful compared with many states.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- The Arkansas Department of Health regulates onsite wastewater statewide and works with Environmental Health Specialists in county health departments to review individual permits.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- Per ADH rules, a Designated Representative completes Part I of the permit application and reports the percolation-test and soil-determination results; ADH says septic system designers are found under the Designated Representative license type.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- Licensed evaluators or designers
- Official page →
- State fee
- Structures 1500 sq. feet or less: $30.00; more than 1500 sq. feet and up to 2000 sq. feet: $45.00; more than 2000 sq. feet and up to 3000 sq. feet: $90.00; more than 3000 sq. feet and up to 4000 sq. feet: $120.00; more than 4000 sq. feet: $150.00; Repairs, Alterations or Extensions: $30.00.
Official resources in Arkansas
State program page with rules, forms, fee schedule links, licensee resources, and the permit portal.
Official state permit application form for individual onsite wastewater systems.
Searchable state database for designated representatives and other onsite wastewater licensees.
Current rule PDF with permit procedure, who prepares Part I, and statewide permit fees.
Official county-by-county health unit directory for local contacts handling septic records and applications.
Key facts for Arkansas
- ADH says its onsite wastewater program sets statewide policies and assists Environmental Health Specialists in each county health department.
- Part I of the permit application must be completed by a Designated Representative before construction starts.
- Permit applications include percolation-test results, soil determination results, lot dimensions, system design, and system layout.
- ADH says people looking for septic system design should search its licensee database for the Designated Representative license type.
- Designated Representative registration is $100 annually.
- Individual permit review fees start at $30 for structures 1,500 square feet or less.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Arkansas
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County/Rogers Local Health Unit Benton | Rogers | Not published* | Local county health unit residents use for septic records and onsite wastewater contacts through ADH. |
| Baxter County/Mountain Home Local Health Unit Baxter | Mountain Home | Not published* | Local county health unit for rural-property owners needing onsite wastewater assistance. |
| Boone County/Harrison Local Health Unit Boone | Harrison | Not published* | County health unit serving residents who need local septic records or ADH environmental health help. |
| Carroll County/Berryville Local Health Unit Carroll | Berryville | Not published* | County health unit contact point for ADH local environmental health services in a rural county. |
| Garland County/Hot Springs Local Health Unit Garland | Hot Springs | Not published* | County health unit residents can contact for local health-unit septic and environmental health assistance. |
| Saline County/Benton Local Health Unit Saline | Benton | Not published* | County health unit for local records and onsite wastewater coordination with ADH. |
| Faulkner County/Conway Local Health Unit Faulkner | Conway | Not published* | County health unit serving a large rural-residential area with ADH environmental health services. |
| Washington County/Fayetteville Local Health Unit Washington | Fayetteville | Not published* | County health unit for Washington County residents needing local ADH help on septic matters. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Call the county Local Health Unit first to confirm where to file and how to obtain existing permit records.
- Before hiring, verify the designer in the ADH licensee database under Designated Representative.
- Match your permit fee to the dwelling size on the official state fee schedule before submitting the application.
Not seeing your county office or county?
Not every county office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Arkansas's population center, for comparison only):
- Christian County Environmental, Missouri · about 129 miles
- McCurtain County Health Department County Services, Oklahoma · about 138 miles
- Delaware County Health Department County Services, Oklahoma · about 142 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Onsite Wastewater Licensees
Website →Phone: (870) 929-6036 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Arkansas page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.