Off-grid site report
Benton County, AR
36.2009, -94.3874 · 1,050 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Benton 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 rulesBenton County, AR
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedBenton County itself has no zoning in unincorporated areas, only subdivision/development regulations reviewed by the Planning Board; cities within the county (Bentonville, Rogers, etc.) impose their own zoning that overrides county rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifySingle-family and agricultural use is a right under county Planning and Development Regulations, but tiny home and long-term RV occupancy standards aren't confirmed; not confirmed, so call County Planning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBenton County Building Safety Department requires permits for new construction, additions, remodels, and any plumbing/electrical/HVAC work, but no longer for detached Group U structures like shops or sheds; the county enforces 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention and International codes. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Arkansas Department of Health sets statewide onsite wastewater rules, working with a local Environmental Specialist for permitting; a narrow permit exemption exists for a single residence on ten-plus acres with the system 200+ feet from all property lines, though construction standards still apply. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Benton County-specific greywater rule was found; this appears to default to the statewide ADH onsite wastewater framework, so it's not confirmed whether the county adds anything beyond that. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or state-specific rule on rainwater harvesting in Benton County was found; not confirmed either way, so check with County Planning or Building Safety directly.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are common and used where rural water district service isn't available; well construction standards come from the state ADH, and no county permit requirement for the well itself was found. If you later connect to a water district like Benton County Water District #1, the well can stay for outdoor use but can't tie into the service line.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Benton County ordinance requiring hookup to electric or municipal water/sewer for occupancy was found, but plumbing and septic permitting still apply to off-grid homes; not fully confirmed, so verify with Building Safety. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,433 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,320 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 18
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Mercy Hospital - 13.6 mi
- Fire station
Gallatin Fire Station - 2.2 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 6.8 mi
- Grocery
Harps - 6.8 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 72734).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Benton 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.