If you’re thinking about putting up a pole barn in Benton County, you probably have the same questions I hear all the time: Do I need a permit? What does the inspector look for? How level does the pad need to be? I’ll walk you through how the process works, what Benton County expects, and how I handle the details on my end to keep your project moving.
Do You Need a Permit for a Pole Barn in Benton County?
In most cases, yes, you’ll need a permit.
Benton County requires a building permit for almost all accessory structures, including pole barns used for storage, workshops, livestock, or equipment. You’ll need a site plan, basic construction details, and sometimes extra documentation if your land sits in a flood zone.
If your property is inside city limits such as Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, or Siloam Springs, then you’ll follow that city’s rules instead of the county’s.
How I Help With Permits
We use factory-engineered trusses on every building unless it’s a porch, shed, or lean-to that needs rafters instead. I can provide detailed truss drawings, and in most cases that’s all you need to get your permit approved.
Every now and then, a municipality will ask for site-specific engineered drawings. We can provide those too. They require an engineer’s review and come with an added cost paid upfront, but they make the permitting process smooth. If inspections are required during construction, my crew may need to pause while the inspector checks the work, and there’s a small fee for that downtime.
What Benton County Requires
Requirements vary by zoning, but here are the basics most projects must follow:
- Setbacks
Your barn needs to sit a certain distance from property lines. Rural areas often require 25 to 50 feet. I check your zoning ahead of time so there are no surprises. - Size limits
Some lots have accessory structure size limits. Larger barns on smaller parcels might need extra review. - Structural expectations
Benton County typically designs for 115–120 mph wind loads. My engineered trusses already meet these standards, and inspectors like seeing clear, stamped plans. - Utilities
If you want electricity or plumbing, you’ll need separate permits and inspections for those trades. - Floodplain rules
If your land is in a mapped flood zone, the county may require elevation details or engineered foundation adjustments. I let you know early if this applies to your project.
What the Inspectors Look For
Not every barn needs inspections, but when they’re required, these are the usual ones:
- Post hole inspection to confirm depth and spacing
- Framing inspection
- Electrical inspection if you’re running power
- Final inspection when everything’s complete
If we’re working from engineered plans, inspectors simply confirm the structure matches those drawings.
How Level Does Your Building Pad Need To Be?
This is a big one, and it matters.
You should have the pad as level as possible. To use our standard pole lengths, the ground needs to be within 2 to 4 inches of level. If the ground isn’t level, I’ll set the building based on the highest point, which leaves a gap on the low side. You can backfill later, but starting with a level pad gives you a cleaner, longer-lasting result.
A few things to keep in mind:
- You may need an excavator to level the area.
- A laser level or builder’s level helps check grade accurately.
- Raising the pad six to twelve inches above surrounding ground improves drainage.
- Compacting in layers helps prevent settling.
A solid pad protects your building and makes the whole project smoother.
Ready to Build in Benton County?
Whether you’re in Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Siloam Springs, or greater Benton County, Bradford can help you build a post-frame structure that’s functional, reliable, and fully tailored to your needs.
Request a custom quote or call us to schedule a consultation.
