Administrative overview · FIPS 05007
Benton County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Benton County Building Safety Department
For a project in or near Benton County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
479-271-1003; text 475-522-1003; Planning Office 479-464-6166
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Benton County Building Safety, Administration Building, 215 E Central Ave., Bentonville, AR 72712
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; open through lunch
Review expectation
N/A for permit plan review; the county does not publish a standard review duration. Inspection requests received before the cutoff are generally scheduled for the following day, subject to staff availability, weather, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Benton County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Benton County Building Safety Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 479-271-1003; text 475-522-1003; Planning Office 479-464-6166.
How long might review take?
N/A for permit plan review; the county does not publish a standard review duration. Inspection requests received before the cutoff are generally scheduled for the following day, subject to staff availability, weather, and other unforeseen circumstances.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule online through the Benton County iWorQ portal, email permits@bentoncountyar.gov, text 475-522-1003, or call 479-271-1003 option 1. The county requires 24-hour notice; next-day requests must arrive before 4:15 p.m. No AM/PM requests are accepted, and new-construction final inspections are not performed on Fridays. Failed inspections generally incur a $50 re-inspection fee.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
For unincorporated Benton County: 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Volumes I Fire, II Building, and III Residential; 2021 International Mechanical Code; 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code; 2018 Arkansas Fuel/Gas Code; 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70); 2014 Arkansas Energy Code; and 2021 International Pool and Spa Code. Benton County adopted the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code by Ordinance O-2023-71. Benton County does not require building permits or inspections for re-roofing or for residential Group U structures in unincorporated areas, including detached shops with no living space, carports, storage buildings, decks, and fences. A permit remains required for structures attached to a residence, commercial use, and new plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work. Agricultural buildings meeting the county’s ordinance definition are exempt from the building-permit process, inspections, and fees. Even exempt projects may require Planning site-plan review; detached utility buildings are still required in Avoca, Decatur, Little Flock, and Springtown city limits.