Do You Need a Permit for a Metal Building in Arkansas?

Arkansas has one building code for the whole state, but permits are issued locally. Whether you need a permit for a metal carport, garage or barn depends on whether your city, or your county, runs a permit program. Here is how it works.

Last checked: November 2026. Rules change, and cities and counties set many of their own, so always confirm with your local office before install day. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

The Short Answer

• The code applies everywhere. The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, which includes building and residential volumes, applies statewide.
• Inside city limits: plan on a building permit from the city.
• Outside city limits: it depends on whether your county has a permit program. Ask before you build.

The Statewide Code

The Arkansas State Fire Marshal adopts the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, a three-volume set: Volume I (Fire), Volume II (Building) and Volume III (Residential). The 2021 edition took effect January 1, 2023. The City of Bentonville notes that the code applies statewide, even in rural and unincorporated areas.

Cities can adopt local amendments, so rules for a carport can differ from one town to the next.

Inside City Limits

Plan on needing a permit in town. Cities typically check setbacks, height and accessory-building rules.

Under the model residential code, a one-story detached accessory building of 200 square feet or less does not need a permit. Many cities change that number, and most carports and garages are bigger anyway. A 12×20 carport is already 240 square feet.

Call your city’s permit or code enforcement office with your building size (W×L×H) and where it will go.

Outside City Limits

Outside city limits, building permits are issued only where the county runs a permit program, and not every county does. Even where no permit is required, your building still has to be built to the state code, and floodplain rules still apply.

Start with your county judge’s office or county planning office. They can tell you whether the county issues permits and who handles floodplain review.

Permits That Can Still Apply

• Floodplain permit. If any part of your site is in a FEMA flood zone, communities in the National Flood Insurance Program must require a permit for new construction there (44 CFR 60.3). Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and call your local floodplain administrator. This applies in the county as well as in town, wherever the county takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program.
• HOA and deed restrictions. Many subdivisions limit building size, color, height or placement, even outside city limits. Get written approval before you order.
• Buried utility lines. Ground anchors go into the soil, so have lines marked before install day. Arkansas requires notice at least two working days before digging. Call 811 to reach Arkansas 811.

What to Have Ready

• Building size (width × length × height) and type: open carport, partly enclosed or fully enclosed
• A simple site plan with property lines, your house, and the distance from the new building to each
• Engineered drawings for your building (we provide these)
• Your anchor type and surface: concrete, asphalt, gravel or dirt. See our anchors guide.
• Your HOA approval letter, if you have an HOA

Bring the size and location when you first call your permit office. Most offices can tell you in one call whether you need a permit and what to send.

How We Help With Permits

We provide the engineered drawings most permit offices ask for. Our 14-gauge frames are rated for winds up to 120 mph, and our 12-gauge frames up to 140 mph with certified anchors. Some areas call for a higher rating, so tell us what your permit office requires. Learn more in our wind and snow load guide.

Have a permit question? Call (903) 234-8922 and press 2 for support, scheduling and permits. When your permit is in hand, our site prep guide shows how to get ready for install day.

Who to Call

If your property is…	Start with
Inside city limits	The city’s permit or code enforcement office
In the county, outside city limits	The county judge’s office or county planning office
In a flood zone	Your local floodplain administrator
In an HOA	Your HOA’s architectural committee

Building in another state? See our permit guides for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or the general permit guide.

See where we install on our Arkansas service area page.

Sources

• Arkansas State Fire Marshal: Facility Reviews and Fire Prevention Code
• City of Bentonville: Building Codes
• Common Ground Alliance: Arkansas dig notice
• 44 CFR 60.3 (floodplain management permits)