State Permits: Arkansas
Arkansas is Southern state known for its numerous national parks, Wal-Mart headquarters and participation as the pants in the “Little Man in the Map.” Arkansas has experienced a boom in its economy, and as the home of retail giant Wal-Mart and food manufacturer Tyson Foods, Inc, Arkansas holds great potential for retail construction. With retail construction projects springing up all across the state, it is important to have a general understanding of the workings of the local and state permit and licensing requirements.
For the most part, Arkansas is like any of the other 50 states when it comes to acquiring permits. The city in which the construction is to take place often requires that the permits are obtained from them. However, most of the local areas ask that businesses comply with a general set of rules. First, zoning approval and building and sign permits are absolutely necessary to begin construction. Permits are required for zoning, and if your site is not within the zoning laws then you can request a permit asking for a change in the law. If your business has a sign then a permit must be held, and if you are constructing a new building or altering an existing one then, you guessed it, apply for a permit.
A business license is the next step after building, zoning and sign permits are acquired. A business license may run your company anywhere from $50-$1,000 in Arkansas, and you should check with your local government before applying for one since some cities do not actually require this piece of paper. Furthermore, building licenses should be applied for and received from the actual city that the building is located. Before you can open your business in Arkansas, you must have a business property assessment completed, and there are consequences for missing the assessing deadline; so, make sure that your contractors are aware of when this needs to be done.
As with most other places, Arkansas requires that electrical and plumbing permits be in place before opening any business, and there are miscellaneous permits that must be obtained if you plan on selling cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol or products from a vending machine. If you are a contractor, Arkansas provides a detailed list of the laws and regulations that go along with building in the state: http://aclb.arkansas.gov/rulesRegs/Pages/default.aspx.
Arkansas is very adamant that businesses have the right business licenses and permits, “Make sure that the business or job function you perform is properly licensed by the appropriate regulatory agency. It is impossible to list all legal requirements for any business. This handout offers guidelines only. This is why it is so important to have experience in or knowledge of the particular business.“ So, if you believe that you do not have the right amount of knowledge before beginning a retail construction project then make sure you consult with a permit expeditor that has the proper experience. In the end, the proper completion of any project is what’s important.
