Off-grid site report
Phillips County, AR
34.5559, -90.6527 · 240 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Phillips County, AR, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesPhillips County, AR
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyArkansas state law allows counties to adopt zoning for unincorporated areas but doesn't require it. I could not confirm whether Phillips County has actually adopted a zoning ordinance; if the land is inside a town like Helena-West Helena, that municipality controls zoning instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Phillips County or Arkansas state document specifically addresses tiny homes or RV residency here; it would fall to whatever zoning/building authority applies to the parcel.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, adopted by the State Fire Marshal's office, applies statewide including unincorporated Phillips County; no separate county building ordinance was confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedArkansas Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater program sets statewide rules, administered locally through the county health unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist; a narrow acreage-based exemption from the permit (not the design standards) exists for a single residence on 10+ acres with setbacks over 200 feet. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Phillips County-specific greywater rule found; under the statewide ADH Onsite Wastewater Rules, greywater generally must go through an approved septic/absorption system rather than being dispersed untreated. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo official Phillips County or Arkansas statute was found restricting residential-scale rainwater collection.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction follows Arkansas Department of Health statewide standards, implemented through the local county health unit; no Phillips County-specific well ordinance was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo state or Phillips County law was found requiring connection to electric, gas, or municipal water/sewer; the binding requirement is still ADH-compliant wastewater disposal. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,470 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 51 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,046 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 28 to Nov 8
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Helena Regional Medical Center - 3.5 mi
- Fire station
West Helena Fire Station - 0.9 mi
- Hardware store
Home Hardware - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 72390).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Phillips County, AR?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.