Residential Building FAQs

Visit the Community Development website here for information on the residential building process, including permits, applications and other information. For other questions, call the Community Development office at 479-268-4980.

To find a parcel number, you can visit Benton County’s GIS map site here, locate your property on the map and click on the parcel. For other information, please call Community Development Services at 479-268-4980.

To view the city’s zoning map, visit the map on the Community Development website here and locate your property on the map.

To find out if POA water is available on your lot, call the POA Water Department at 479-855-8000.

Properties currently not connected but eligible for sewer connection are listed here. For additional sewer connection information contact Village Wastewater at 479-855-7613.

There are many factors and outside agency requirements to consider, including available utilities, septic or sewer connection, house size, building setbacks, lot elevation, minimum house size as determined on the subdivision plat, etc. If on septic, we encourage you to begin by contacting the Benton County Health Department (479-986-1300) to determine the minimum area required for the septic system in relation to the size of house you plan to build.

If a septic system is required, the lot size, how the soil percolates and the proposed size of house are all considered in determining minimum square footage. A house size could be limited based off of the space required for the septic field. Typically, a bigger house requires more lateral lines. Each subdivision plat has set minimum square footages for all platted lots in Bella Vista. For more exact information, call the Community Development office at 479-268-4980.

The city enforces city ordinances, which are passed by the City Council, and state building codes for building safety. The ACC enforces rules set in the original POA covenants, and typically concern aesthetics of a home or property.

For residential lots, required setbacks (unless otherwise stated on the subdivision plat) are: a minimum of a 20-foot front setback, a minimum of a 15-foot side setback if parallel to street right-of-way lines, a 7.5-foot setback on side property lines, a 15-foot rear setback, and a 25-foot setback from the water’s edge for parcels with access to bodies of water. 

No, RV’s are not permitted in residential areas, unless FULLY screened from public view (in a garage or fully screened behind a fence. The maximum fence height is 8’ in Bella Vista).

Benton County Health Department handles permitting for septic systems – 479-986-1300. If a percolation test has been done, they would have the records.

No, however, the Building Official can place a stop work order on construction, if needed, to bring a project into compliance with ordinances and building codes.

The water is privately owned by the Bella Vista POA (479-855-5060), which requires connection for all properties within the POA boundaries. Sewer is also privately owned by Village Wastewater (479-855-7613). Connection to sewer is required by city ordinance, if available. If sewer is not available, a septic system would be required.

Properties eligible for sewer connection are listed here.

Effective 2023, unimproved lot owners pay $16 per month and improved lot owners pay $40 per month. Unimproved lots do not have a water meter. Please check with the POA to confirm: 479-855-8000 or email info@bvvpoa.com. 

The city does not maintain the center island of a cul-de-sac street, as it is typically part of the Bella Vista POA common property, which is private property. We have seen some residents in some neighborhoods “adopt” these islands and maintain them, although the city does not have the authority to grant permission to do so.

Residents are responsible for maintaining the culverts beneath their driveways and keeping them clear of buildup and debris so that water can flow through freely.

Residents are responsible for maintaining the aprons and culverts of their driveways. A permit may not be required to repair/maintain the apron depending on the scope of work. However, there are requirements on the type of materials that can be used for the apron. Contact Community Development at 479-268-4980 for questions.

For regulations on building a pool, please see the permit submittal checklist on page 2 of our Miscellaneous Application, found here. In addition to this checklist, the pool must be a minimum of 10 feet away from the septic field, if applicable, and a licensed electrician must pull an electrical permit if needed, depending on the type of pool being built.

811 Call Before You Dig requires that utility lines be marked prior to digging. Each utility company marks their lines in a designated color. These colors may be classified as such: blue (potable water), green (sewer/drain lines), orange (communication lines), pink (temporary survey markers), purple (reclaimed water/irrigation lines), red (electric lines/cables), white (proposed excavation), and yellow (gas/oil/petroleum lines).