Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
501-450-4900 (Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson); 501-450-4935 (Faulkner County Floodplain Administrator); 501-450-6107 (Conway Building Permits & Inspections)
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 501-450-4900 (Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson); 501-450-4935 (Faulkner County Floodplain Administrator); 501-450-6107 (Conway Building Permits & Inspections).
Conway trade permits: 1–2 business days; residential permit review: up to 3–5 business days; commercial permit review: approximately 2–3 weeks, assuming complete plans and documents.
Conway inspections may be requested by phone, email, or through the Civic Access Portal; commercial inspections are scheduled for the next business day, and residential inspections must be called in at least one business day in advance. Contact 501-450-6107 or permits@conwayarkansas.gov. Faulkner County floodplain work requires a County Floodplain Administrator site inspection before slab pour or wall construction, plus a final elevation certificate and final compliance inspection.
Conway’s current official code sheet lists the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2018 Arkansas Plumbing and Gas Codes, 2017 ANSI, and 2014 Arkansas Energy Code. Faulkner County flood-hazard work must also comply with the County Flood Damage Prevention Resolution and applicable FEMA, state, and federal requirements. N/A. Conway requires permits for new construction, remodels, additions, accessory buildings, and separate electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work; no general minor/cosmetic exemption list was published on the reviewed official pages.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.