Little Rock, AR · Pulaski County
Little Rock New Commercial Construction Permit Fees and Submittal Checklist
A new commercial or multi-family building, measured by floor area under roof.
Little Rock Fee Estimate
Fee Estimate
Permit valuation may differ from your construction budget when the city applies its own valuation method.
Estimate · Little Rock, AR
$3,830.05
Estimated fees for the inputs shown. Conditional items are listed but not added.
- Building permit fee$2,245.00
$1,620.00 for first $500,000.00 + 250 × $2.50 per additional $1,000.00
- Plan review fee$1,122.50
50% of $2,245.00 building fee
- Data processing fee$25.75
Flat fee $25.75 per application
Little Rock Code § 8-31, as amended by Ord. 22,703 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
- Certificate of occupancy$61.80
Flat fee $61.80
Certificate of occupancy: $30.90 new residential, $61.80 new commercial building or addition.
- Arkansas Act 474 surcharge$375.00
750 × $0.50 per $1,000
A.C.A. § 6-55-106: $0.50 per $1,000 on nonresidential permits, max $1,000 per project.
Not included in this estimate
Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical); utility tap and impact fees, re-inspection fees, and other agency approvals.
Cost of working without a permit in Little Rock: $6,735.00Permit fees are multiplied by 3× when work starts before the permit is issued.
Need sealed MEP drawings, permit expediting, or 3 bids from ACLB-licensed contractors in Little Rock?
Common Project Values
Estimated Little Rock fees for new commercial construction projects at six standard sizes, computed with the same rules as the calculator. Trade permits excluded.
Small scope
$25,000 · 1,000 sq ft
Permit fee $142.00 · review $71.00
$313.05
Mid scope
$75,000 · 2,000 sq ft
Permit fee $337.50 · review $168.75
$631.30
Standard
$150,000 · 3,500 sq ft
Permit fee $570.00 · review $285.00
$1,017.55
Commercial buildout
$350,000 · 6,000 sq ft
Permit fee $1,170.00 · review $585.00
$2,017.55
Major project
$750,000 · 12,000 sq ft
Permit fee $2,245.00 · review $1,122.50
$3,830.05
Large commercial
$1,500,000 · 25,000 sq ft
Permit fee $4,120.00 · review $2,060.00
$7,017.55
| Project size | Valuation | Area | Permit fee | Plan review | Other fees | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small scope | $25,000 | 1,000 sq ft | $142.00 | $71.00 | $100.05 | $313.05 |
| Mid scope | $75,000 | 2,000 sq ft | $337.50 | $168.75 | $125.05 | $631.30 |
| Standard | $150,000 | 3,500 sq ft | $570.00 | $285.00 | $162.55 | $1,017.55 |
| Commercial buildout | $350,000 | 6,000 sq ft | $1,170.00 | $585.00 | $262.55 | $2,017.55 |
| Major project | $750,000 | 12,000 sq ft | $2,245.00 | $1,122.50 | $462.55 | $3,830.05 |
| Large commercial | $1,500,000 | 25,000 sq ft | $4,120.00 | $2,060.00 | $837.55 | $7,017.55 |
Central Arkansas Cost Comparison
The same project priced in all eight cities. Valuation-based cities (fee grows with project cost) and square-footage cities (fee grows with floor area) can differ widely for the same building. Full comparison →
New Commercial Construction: $750,000, 12,000 sq ft. Trade permits excluded.
- Little Rock$3,830.05Valuation tiers
$1,620.00 for first $500,000.00 + 250 × $2.50 per additional $1,000.00
- North Little Rock$3,156.25Sq ft + valuation
$1,600.00 for first $500,000.00 + 250 × $2.50 per additional $1,000.00
- Conway$2,080.00Sq ft + valuation
12,000 sq ft × $0.14 = $1,680.00
- Bryant$3,075.00Square footage
12,000 sq ft × $0.15 = $1,800.00
- Benton$2,065.00Square footagelowest
12,000 sq ft × $0.12 = $1,440.00
- Maumelle$2,655.00Sq ft + valuation
12,000 sq ft × $0.19 = $2,280.00
- SherwoodUnavailableSquare footage
Sherwood adopted its building fee schedule by reference (Ord. 1599) and does not publish it. Only the new-home rate is codified.
- CabotUnavailableNot published
Cabot calculates building fees at plan review and does not publish its fee schedule. Call the permit office for a quote.
| City | Fee basis | Why it differs | Permit fee | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little RockPulaski County | Valuation tiers | $1,620.00 for first $500,000.00 + 250 × $2.50 per additional $1,000.00 | $2,245.00 | $3,830.05 |
| North Little RockPulaski County | Sq ft + valuation | $1,600.00 for first $500,000.00 + 250 × $2.50 per additional $1,000.00 | $2,225.00 | $3,156.25 |
| ConwayFaulkner County | Sq ft + valuation | 12,000 sq ft × $0.14 = $1,680.00 | $1,680.00 | $2,080.00 |
| BryantSaline County | Square footage | 12,000 sq ft × $0.15 = $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 | $3,075.00 |
| BentonSaline County | Square footage | 12,000 sq ft × $0.12 = $1,440.00 | $1,440.00 | $2,065.00lowest |
| MaumellePulaski County | Sq ft + valuation | 12,000 sq ft × $0.19 = $2,280.00 | $2,280.00 | $2,655.00 |
| SherwoodPulaski County | Square footage | Sherwood adopted its building fee schedule by reference (Ord. 1599) and does not publish it. Only the new-home rate is codified. | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| CabotLonoke County | Not published | Cabot calculates building fees at plan review and does not publish its fee schedule. Call the permit office for a quote. | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Little Rock Submittal Checklist
Required and conditional documents for this project type. Confirm this requirement with the city.
Little Rock permit application
Submit through Little Rock Planning & Development, Building Codes Division. Include the project address, parcel number, owner, contractor and declared valuation.
Permit portal ↗Construction documents (digital PDF set)
Architectural, structural, MEP and life-safety sheets. Under Arkansas law most commercial buildings need plans sealed by an Arkansas-licensed architect or engineer. Ask the city whether it accepts digital-only sets or also wants printed copies.
Arkansas Fire Prevention Code review
Commercial sets are reviewed for compliance with the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (based on the IBC/IFC). Include life-safety plans, exit paths, fire-rated assemblies, and sprinkler and alarm shop drawings where provided.
Arkansas State Fire Marshal ↗Site plan or survey
Property lines, setbacks, easements, building footprint, driveways and drainage. New commercial sites usually go through planning or site plan review first.
Energy code compliance
COMcheck or equivalent showing compliance with the Arkansas Energy Code for envelope, lighting and mechanical systems.
Arkansas energy code status ↗Central Arkansas Water availability and tap letter
Confirm water and sewer availability and tap or meter fees with Central Arkansas Water. Tap and impact fees are not part of the building permit estimate.
Central Arkansas Water ↗ADEQ construction stormwater permit
ConditionalSites that disturb one acre or more need coverage under the ADEQ construction stormwater general permit and a stormwater pollution prevention plan.
Applies when: One acre or more of land disturbance
ADEQ stormwater ↗Floodplain development permit
ConditionalRequired when any part of the work is in a FEMA special flood hazard area. Check the parcel on the FEMA map before design is final.
Applies when: Parcel is in a mapped floodplain
FEMA flood map ↗Arkansas Department of Health plumbing plan review
ConditionalCommercial plumbing and gas plans are reviewed by ADH (fee: 1% of the estimated plumbing and gas cost, $50 minimum, $500 maximum) unless a local certified plumbing inspector reviews engineer-prepared plans (A.C.A. § 17-38-204). Food service, medical and dental, child care and pools also need ADH program approvals.
Applies when: Commercial plumbing work, food service, medical or similar uses
ADH plumbing ↗Arkansas contractor license verification
Commercial projects of $50,000 or more (labor and materials) need a contractor licensed by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (A.C.A. § 17-25-101). The building official must see proof of license before issuing the permit.
ACLB license lookup ↗Trade permits from licensed trades
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are pulled separately by Arkansas-licensed master electricians, plumbers and HVACR contractors.
Permit office
Little Rock Planning & Development, Building Codes Division
- 723 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201
- (501) 371-4832
- Online permit portal · Department website
Confirm hours and submittal format with the city before you go.
Inspection Roadmap
- 1
Footing
After trenches are dug and steel is placed, before concrete
- 2
Foundation / slab
After under-slab plumbing, vapor barrier and steel, before the pour
- 3
Rough-in: plumbing, electrical, mechanical
After rough trade work, before walls are covered
- 4
Framing
After rough-ins pass, before insulation
- 5
Insulation / energy
After insulation, before drywall
- 6
Fire and life safety
ConditionalSprinkler, alarm and fire-rated assemblies before cover and at final
When fire protection systems are part of the work
- 7
Trade finals
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical finals
- 8
Building final
After all trade finals pass
- 9
Certificate of occupancy
Issued after the building final; required before move-in
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new commercial construction permit cost in Little Rock, Arkansas?
Under Little Rock Code § 8-31, a $750,000 (12,000 sq ft) new commercial construction in Little Rock, AR has estimated permit fees of $3,830.05. This includes a $2,245.00 building permit fee, $1,122.50 plan review, $25.75 in administrative fees, a $61.80 certificate of occupancy and a $375.00 Arkansas Act 474 surcharge. Trade permits are billed separately.
Does Little Rock, AR calculate building permits by square footage or project valuation?
Little Rock calculates building permits by project valuation, not square footage. Work valued at $5,000 or less needs no building fee; above that, a base fee covers the first portion of value and a rate is added for each additional $1,000 or fraction. Valuation comes from the contract or the ICC Building Valuation Data table.
How long does commercial plan review take in Little Rock, AR and what does it cost?
Plan review costs 50% of the building permit fee (minimum $56.65) for commercial projects. The city does not publish a plan review turnaround time; ask the permit desk for the current queue when you submit.
Do I need an Arkansas commercial contractor license to pull a permit in Little Rock?
Yes, for commercial work of $50,000 or more. Under A.C.A. § 17-25-101, any project other than a single-family residence costing $50,000 or more in labor and materials requires an Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board commercial license, and the building official must see proof of license before issuing the permit. Residential builders and remodelers need an ACLB residential license for jobs over $2,000. Splitting a contract to stay under a threshold is not allowed. Licensed electricians, plumbers and HVACR contractors pull their own trade permits in Little Rock.
Sources and Assumptions
- Schedule
- Little Rock Code § 8-31
- Source reviewed on
- October 20, 2026
- Data status
- Some components are confirmed; unconfirmed components are marked Unavailable instead of estimated.
- Little Rock Code § 8-31, as amended by Ord. 22,703 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)reviewed 2026-10-20
- Little Rock Ord. 22,204 (2022 fee schedule, last published valuation table)reviewed 2026-10-20
- A.C.A. § 6-55-106 (Act 474 of 1999)reviewed 2026-10-20
- Ord. 22,703 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) rewrote § 8-31(c) without a building valuation table; its other fees rose about 3%. Building fees here use the last published table (Ord. 22,204, 2022) until the city confirms the current one.
- Residential fees in Targeted Neighborhood Enhancement Areas (Central High, Downtown, Philander Smith) are reduced 75%, not below the minimum. Not applied here.
PermitBasis is an independent planning resource. The issuing authority determines final fees and requirements.