Planning-related County Ordinances and Regulations

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Active Current Planning and Zoning Ordinance

Planning and Zoning Ordinance [PDF]
Current Active Zoning Map [PDF]
Current Zoning Webmap [Online]
By-Laws of the Washington County Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment

Floodplain Development Permit - Flood Damage Prevention Code and Ordinance 2024-03 [PDF] requires that before any land development in a floodplain is initiated, such as earth-moving operations, the placement of mobile homes, or the construction of buildings, etc., a permit must be obtained from the County.

Click here for the Letter of Map Change (LOMC) valid as of 01/25/2024 effective day of the new flood insurance rate map (FIRM).

Septic Systems - County Septic Ordinances: Ord. No. 1999-26, 2003-37 & 2008-33 [PDF] 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, and other matters.

Clarification regarding Ordinance No. 2003-37:

For homes with an existing permitted (Permit for Operation (PFO)) septic system: the sellers must provide the buyers a copy of the septic system PFO, signed by the Health Department.
For homes with an existing septic system but no PFO: the sellers must pay for a septic system inspection. The inspection is required to obtain a “certificate” from the Health Department. The Department can establish the requirements for the inspection.
When failing septic systems are identified, the owners will be required to bring them into compliance with the current regulations.

Former Planning & Zoning Code of Ordinances

Subdivisions - Section 11-71 through Section 11-78 [PDF](as amended) lists Regulations, Standards and Specifications for the Division, Development and Improvement of Unincorporated Land in Washington County, Arkansas. Requires all land divisions to be approved by the Planning Board to ensure they meet specified requirements. This Ordinance, however, does not apply to "Exempt Land Divisions."

Exempt Land Divisions - Section 11-79 [PDF] (as amended) defines the types of land divisions that do not have to follow the subdivision requirements; Planning Board approval is not required, but they must be approved by the Planning Office.

Large Scale Developments - Section 11-100 [PDF] (as amended) requires that the development of a lot or parcel larger than one (1) acre developed as a single improvement be approved by the Planning Board. Agricultural and some single family residential developments are excluded from this requirement.

Mobile Home Parks - Section 11-89 (as amended) requires the placement of two (2) or more mobile homes on a parcel for the purpose of generating income are to obtain approval from the Planning Board.

House Moving - Section 11-31 through Section 11-41 [PDF] (as amended) requires anyone moving a house along a county road in an unincorporated area of the county to first obtain a permit.

Off-Premise Signs (Billboards) - Section 12-1 [PDF] (as amended) prohibits billboards or off-premise signs on certain state highways.

Sexually Oriented Businesses - Section 2.9-21 through Section 2.9-26 [PDF] establishes reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent the concentration of sexually oriented businesses within unincorporated areas of the county.

Cell Towers - Section 11-296 through Section 11-315 [PDF] promotes the efficient and effective provision of communication services in compliance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 while responding to the significant concerns of the citizens of Washington County. The intent of these regulations is to protect the general safety and welfare of the citizens of Washington County by providing for rules governing the location, construction, repair and maintenance of antenna rays and communication towers in the unincorporated areas of the County.

Gated Communities - Section 11-99.3 and Ordinance 2003-045 [PDF] concerns gated communities in Washington County, Arkansas.

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