So you want to start a business in Arkadelphia...

That's awesome!  Here's a little information to get you started

What does the City require from you to start a business?

Not much--the City of Arkadelphia does not require businesses to be licensed by the City to operate in our town.  We do have zoning laws, and you generally need to set up your business in a Commercial Zone (see our Zoning Map).  If you aren't running a food truck or selling/serving alcohol, we really don't have any regulations on your business other than zoning.  This doesn't mean you won't interact with us along the way though.  You'll still need to set up an account with our Water Department for utility service, and make arrangements with our Sanitation Department for dumpster service.  

If you're planning to build or renovate a building to suit your needs, you'll also need to contact our Building Department for proper permitting, just like if you were building/renovating a house or any structure.  The types of building permits can vary widely due to the unique circumstances and type of each individual business.  For this reason, we can't provide a "one size fits all" list of permits, but if you contact them with your detailed plan, they will make sure you're business is built to code.

Helpful Links

Arkadelphia Alliance and Chamber of Commerce
This should really be your first stop if you're interested in starting a business in Arkadelphia--helping your business is their business!

Henderson State Small Business Center
If you're just thinking about starting a business and want to learn more about what's involved and how to set up a business plan, this is a great local resource.

Arkansas Department of Health Links:
Health Department Certificates, Licenses, and Permits
If you're interested in operating any service industry regulated by the state, there should be permitting information here--everything from Food or Cosmetology, to Plumbing or Tattoo Artists.
Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Food Establishments
Referred to as simply the "Food Code," this document contains everything from proper food handling, to rules for your physical facility, to personnel issues.
Rules/Regulations, Forms and Guidelines for Food Service
A list of forms, guidelines, and applications necessary for operating various Food Service businesses--Plan Review Examples, Permit Applications, Fees, best practices information, etc.

City Offices:
Building Department
Sanitation Department
Water Department

City Permits:
Food Truck Permission Form
Alcohol Permit
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