Little Rock, AR · Pulaski County
Little Rock Commercial Tenant Remodel Permit Fees and Submittal Checklist
Interior tenant finish-out or alteration of an existing commercial space, with no added floor area.
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
$1,955.75
Estimated fees for the inputs shown. Conditional items are listed but not added.
- Building permit fee$1,170.00
$420.00 for first $100,000.00 + 250 × $3.00 per additional $1,000.00
- Plan review fee$585.00
50% of $1,170.00 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)
- Arkansas Act 474 surcharge$175.00
350 × $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: $3,510.00Permit 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 commercial tenant remodel 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
$251.25
Mid scope
$75,000 · 2,000 sq ft
Permit fee $337.50 · review $168.75
$569.50
Standard
$150,000 · 3,500 sq ft
Permit fee $570.00 · review $285.00
$955.75
Commercial buildout
$350,000 · 6,000 sq ft
Permit fee $1,170.00 · review $585.00
$1,955.75
Major project
$750,000 · 12,000 sq ft
Permit fee $2,245.00 · review $1,122.50
$3,768.25
Large commercial
$1,500,000 · 25,000 sq ft
Permit fee $4,120.00 · review $2,060.00
$6,955.75
| Project size | Valuation | Area | Permit fee | Plan review | Other fees | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small scope | $25,000 | 1,000 sq ft | $142.00 | $71.00 | $38.25 | $251.25 |
| Mid scope | $75,000 | 2,000 sq ft | $337.50 | $168.75 | $63.25 | $569.50 |
| Standard | $150,000 | 3,500 sq ft | $570.00 | $285.00 | $100.75 | $955.75 |
| Commercial buildout | $350,000 | 6,000 sq ft | $1,170.00 | $585.00 | $200.75 | $1,955.75 |
| Major project | $750,000 | 12,000 sq ft | $2,245.00 | $1,122.50 | $400.75 | $3,768.25 |
| Large commercial | $1,500,000 | 25,000 sq ft | $4,120.00 | $2,060.00 | $775.75 | $6,955.75 |
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 →
Commercial Tenant Remodel: $350,000, 6,000 sq ft. Trade permits excluded.
- Little Rock$1,955.75Valuation tiers
$420.00 for first $100,000.00 + 250 × $3.00 per additional $1,000.00
- North Little Rock$1,550.00Sq ft + valuation
$350.00 for first $100,000.00 + 250 × $3.00 per additional $1,000.00
- Conway$550.00Sq ft + valuationlowest
350 × $1.00 per $1,000 of valuation = $350.00
- BryantUnavailableSquare footage
Bryant does not publish a building fee rate for commercial remodels without added area.
- Benton$1,145.00Square footage
6,000 sq ft × $0.12 = $720.00
- Maumelle$1,315.00Sq ft + valuation
$25.00 for first $1,000.00 + 349 × $10.00 per additional $1,000.00; capped at $0.19 × 6,000 sq ft = $1,140.00
- 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 | $420.00 for first $100,000.00 + 250 × $3.00 per additional $1,000.00 | $1,170.00 | $1,955.75 |
| North Little RockPulaski County | Sq ft + valuation | $350.00 for first $100,000.00 + 250 × $3.00 per additional $1,000.00 | $1,100.00 | $1,550.00 |
| ConwayFaulkner County | Sq ft + valuation | 350 × $1.00 per $1,000 of valuation = $350.00 | $350.00 | $550.00lowest |
| BryantSaline County | Square footage | Bryant does not publish a building fee rate for commercial remodels without added area. | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| BentonSaline County | Square footage | 6,000 sq ft × $0.12 = $720.00 | $720.00 | $1,145.00 |
| MaumellePulaski County | Sq ft + valuation | $25.00 for first $1,000.00 + 349 × $10.00 per additional $1,000.00; capped at $0.19 × 6,000 sq ft = $1,140.00 | $1,140.00 | $1,315.00 |
| 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 ↗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 ↗Asbestos survey before renovation
Federal NESHAP rules, administered by ADEQ, require an asbestos inspection by a licensed inspector before renovating or demolishing commercial buildings.
ADEQ asbestos program ↗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
Rough-in: plumbing, electrical, mechanical
After rough trade work, before walls are covered
- 2
Framing
After rough-ins pass, before insulation
- 3
Insulation / energy
After insulation, before drywall
- 4
Fire and life safety
ConditionalSprinkler, alarm and fire-rated assemblies before cover and at final
When fire protection systems are part of the work
- 5
Trade finals
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical finals
- 6
Building final
After all trade finals pass
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a commercial tenant remodel permit cost in Little Rock, Arkansas?
Under Little Rock Code § 8-31, a $350,000 (6,000 sq ft) commercial tenant remodel in Little Rock, AR has estimated permit fees of $1,955.75. This includes a $1,170.00 building permit fee, $585.00 plan review, $25.75 in administrative fees and a $175.00 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.