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
870-449-6231 (County Judge Jason Stumph); 770-560-1551 (County Building Inspector Ken Rigmaiden)
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
Marion County Judge’s Office and Marion County Building Inspector is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area 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 870-449-6231 (County Judge Jason Stumph); 770-560-1551 (County Building Inspector Ken Rigmaiden).
The ordinance requires the county inspector to make the occupancy inspection within 10 business days of application; no separate development-permit review timeline was published.
Inspections are by appointment with County Building Inspector Ken Rigmaiden at 770-560-1551. For electrical, plumbing, or occupancy inspections, post the 911 address, do not cover electrical or plumbing work, and have the development-permit number ready. Occupancy inspections are to be made within 10 business days of application.
For new dwellings, Marion County enforces the Arkansas State Plumbing Code, the National Electrical Code, and Arkansas and Marion County sewage/septic and potable-water requirements. The official permit ordinance does not state specific 2026 edition numbers. Existing permanent single- or multi-family dwellings occupied or under construction on January 1, 2001, and dwellings where excavation had begun by that date are exempt. The ordinance also does not apply to property wholly within a city or municipality that already has an existing building-permit system. No minor/cosmetic exemption list was published.
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.