Are there counties in Arkansas where I can buy land and live in my campervan? (Searcy: for sale, cheap home) - Fayetteville - Springdale - Rogers - (AR) -Northwest Arkansas - City-Data Forum

Mordan · 07-09-2018, 01:17 PM

Currently, I'm living in my campervan and working online. It's been a wonderful way to live, but I would like a cheap home base so that I don't have to pack up and move every 14 days if I don't want to. I just want a small piece of land that I can park my campervan on and live. Just pay my annual taxes and nothing more. Is that a thing anywhere? Eventually, I would possibly want to build a tiny home but I wouldn't want any utilities. I am from Arkansas originally and I noticed that there are some very affordable lots for sale, like this one: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

Does anyone know what the laws are like in Arkansas for camping on your land/composting your waste? I've never owned land, do you have to go through permits and surveying, etc just to live there even in really rural counties? Some of these 0.3 acre lots are around $500. There are a lot for sale in Sharp, Boone, and Izard county but I can't find any information about them online. If I could buy a piece of land for $500 and just park there like I do in national forests without having to answer to anyone that would be fantastic.

Thanks.

hitpausebutton2 · 07-09-2018, 02:42 PM

First thing i would do is go to county tax office and make sure the land is clean, not zoned or have any government attachments. Then i would make sure your far enough away from any body that has city hookups, as they will legally force you to hook up to city water/sewage unless you can find a old well on your property and get it grandfather in. Trust me on this, they did it to my grandparents and after 2k in court cost we won, but damage was done in the bank account. Another story another day..
I have 2 acres in Old washington/Hope, cant build on or live on due to government permits.. so make sure its not zoned.
Unless things changed over past 20 years, dont think we have laws that requires you to be connected to any services, unless they are in cost affected way that can be run from the local neighbor house, (see above). The county clerk office would be the best advice i can give to make sure you dont have any problems with the code and environmental office.

Good luck on your project.

gemstone1 · 07-10-2018, 05:12 AM

Composting toilets:

"Most urban areas have zoning regulations that forbid the composting of human waste. There are two places you need to go to find out. First is the authority, name differs from town to town, that issues building permits in your municipality. The second is the Water Resources Board, although this government body often has a different name as well there will be an equivalent in your area.

The last place to check is with the zoning board. It is very likely there are prohibitions based on parcel zoning. While these restrictions won't affect the whole city it very may well affect your property."

This fact sheet regarding composting toilets is for Oregon, which is more liberal than Arkansas...it will give you an idea of your requirements....check with county officials for the final answer on your idea to live in a camper.

When I lived in Searcy County AR in the 70's, I had a neighbor (2 miles away) that lived in a camper....whether it was legal is another question.

Regards
Gemstone1

nmnita · 07-10-2018, 05:24 AM

I think I can pretty safely say, there are no places within the city limits that will allow someone to live in their camper on a full time basis. In fact, most cities insist if you have a camper or camper van it be under cover if not actually in a garage. for many reasons this makes good sense. As already suggested check with the zoning boards of the NWA counties.

Hollynla · 07-10-2018, 05:47 AM

The lots you linked to are in Sharp county so you'd need to check with their rules to see if it's possible.

I know there are areas where it would be perfectly legal to do so and not be connected to any utilities. Newton County is one but we wouldn't have land plots that small or cheap.

nmnita · 07-10-2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordan

Currently, I'm living in my campervan and working online. It's been a wonderful way to live, but I would like a cheap home base so that I don't have to pack up and move every 14 days if I don't want to. I just want a small piece of land that I can park my campervan on and live. Just pay my annual taxes and nothing more. Is that a thing anywhere? Eventually, I would possibly want to build a tiny home but I wouldn't want any utilities. I am from Arkansas originally and I noticed that there are some very affordable lots for sale, like this one: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

Does anyone know what the laws are like in Arkansas for camping on your land/composting your waste? I've never owned land, do you have to go through permits and surveying, etc just to live there even in really rural counties? Some of these 0.3 acre lots are around $500. There are a lot for sale in Sharp, Boone, and Izard county but I can't find any information about them online. If I could buy a piece of land for $500 and just park there like I do in national forests without having to answer to anyone that would be fantastic.

Thanks.

I think I would question any lot that is for sale for $500? and I don't care how small it is.

Mordan · 07-10-2018, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the information, I will check with the county clerk and tax office.

I am questionable about $500 land as well so I'll proceed with caution, but as far as I can tell Northern Arkansas has some of the cheapest land in the country. Ideally I'd like to have land in Colorado but the regulations are too strict in most counties or the land is expensive.

DougStark · 07-10-2018, 11:42 AM

So how would a person living in their camper van dispose of human waste? Are outhouses still allowed for a residential lot? If I were you, I'd splurge and build an insulated, heated bathroom building complete with a shower, toilet and sink. It would prob require a small septic system and permit and hauled water or a small well (and permit.) Good luck.

Mordan · 07-10-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougStark

So how would a person living in their camper van dispose of human waste? Are outhouses still allowed for a residential lot? If I were you, I'd splurge and build an insulated, heated bathroom building complete with a shower, toilet and sink. It would prob require a small septic system and permit and hauled water or a small well (and permit.) Good luck.

Composting is just as sustainable as any other disposal method, there's nothing gross or unsanitary about it. Thousands of homesteaders do it. Also, there's Biffy Bags for traveling which is no worse than parents throwing diapers in the trash, also used in the military. I'm not talking about moving to a city, I want to be in the boondocks way out in the woods. Honestly, spending thousands of dollars on all that wouldn't make my life any easier or better at all.

gunslinger256 · 07-10-2018, 04:39 PM

I seem to recall there was a motorhome park in belavista where one of my son's teachers lived year round. I wonder if that's still a thing