Northwest ArkansasProperty Research Links

Mapping & Data

Statewide base layers

• Arkansas GIS OfficeThe state’s mapping agency. Statutory keeper of municipal boundaries, section-township-range, land survey plats and state-certified corners.GIS · Survey
• Arkansas Spatial Data Infrastructure (formerly GeoStor)Downloadable statewide datasets — parcels, roads, imagery, boundaries. The source most third-party map sites are built on.Data download
• ARDOT Interactive MapsHighway system, functional classification, speed limits and average daily traffic counts. Traffic counts matter for retail and commercial siting.Roads · Traffic

Land, Soil & Flood

Core due diligence for acreage and undeveloped lots

• USDA Web Soil SurveyDraw a boundary and pull soil types, depth to bedrock, drainage class and septic suitability ratings. The first stop on any raw-land question.Soil · Septic
• FEMA Flood Map Service CenterThe official source for Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Determines whether flood insurance is required on a federally backed mortgage.Flood
• Arkansas Floodplain Management — MapsState explainer on FIRM zones. Note that roughly a fifth of NFIP claims come from moderate-to-low risk zones, not just Zone A.Flood
• Arkansas Dept. of Health — Onsite WastewaterSeptic permitting. County health units handle applications; Designated Representatives run the soil work.Septic
• Onsite Wastewater FAQs & Licensee SearchFind licensed septic designers and installers, and check whether an existing system was permitted. Includes the 10-acre setback exemption.Septic
• Onsite Wastewater Rules (full text, PDF)The actual standards — well-to-septic separation, lot sizing, subdivision soil depth minimums, when surface discharge is barred.Septic · Rules

Utilities, Towers & Water Systems

Statewide registries

• FCC Antenna Structure Registration MapInteractive map of registered towers. Registration is generally required above 200 feet or near an airport, so this shows the tall structures, not every small cell.Cell towers
• FCC ASR Registration SearchSearch by location, height, registration number or licensee name. Useful for lease-income diligence and for view-impact questions.Cell towers
• FCC — Towers Within a RadiusEnter coordinates and a radius to list every registered structure nearby. Fastest tool for a specific parcel.Cell towers
• Arkansas Public Water AuthoritiesWhat a water authority is and how rural water associations convert into one. Background for reading a rural water tap agreement.Water
• Arkansas Rural Water AssociationMember directory for small and rural water and wastewater systems statewide.Water
• Arkansas Municipal Power Association — MembersWhich Arkansas cities own their own electric utility. In NWA that includes Bentonville and Siloam Springs.Electric

Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC)

Covers Benton + Washington counties and part of McDonald County, Missouri

• NWARPC Interactive GIS Maps — main hubThe master directory of city and county map viewers for the whole region. If any city link on this page ever breaks, start here.Hub · Bookmark this
• NWA Regional Base MapParcels, subdivisions, city limits, parks, roads, hydrology and current aerial imagery across both counties in one viewer.GIS · Parcels
• NWA Environmental MapWatersheds, water features and karst sensitivity in the Cave Springs karst area. Karst means sinkholes, caves and constrained development.Karst · Water
• NWA Transportation Projects MapFunded and planned road projects from the 2025-2028 TIP and the Forward 2050 plan. Shows where access and traffic patterns are about to change.Roads · Growth
• NWA 2050 Regional NetworkCorridors of regional significance through 2050 — a long-horizon view of where connectivity investment is headed.Growth
• Functional Classification of RoadsArterial, collector or local. Drives access management, curb cuts and commercial frontage value.Roads
• NWARPC Data CatalogDownloadable regional datasets and published maps.Data download
• Cave Springs Karst StudyEssential reading before buying land in the Cave Springs recharge area.Karst
• NWA Open Space PlanRegional conservation and green-network priorities — useful for anticipating what stays undeveloped.Planning
• NWA Housing ReportRegional housing supply and demand data straight from the planning commission.Market data

Regional Water Supply

Nearly all NWA drinking water traces back to Beaver Lake

• Beaver Water District — Service AreaExplains exactly who serves whom. BWD wholesales to Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville, and each of those resells to smaller neighbors. Answers most “who provides water here” questions in one page.Water · Bookmark this
• Beaver Water DistrictWater quality reports, source protection and district news.Water
• Benton/Washington Regional Public Water Authority (“Two-Ton”)Regional wholesale water to rural systems and smaller cities across both counties and into eastern Oklahoma. Includes a service-area map.Water · Rural
• Washington Water AuthorityRural water serving Farmington, Prairie Grove and surrounding parts of Washington County. Rates, policies and water quality reports.Water · Rural
• Washington Water Authority — Tap RequestNew connections require a tap request and a written availability determination, which can take weeks. On rural acreage, start this before closing rather than after.Land · Water tap
• Beaver Lake Watershed Map (PDF)Shows the full watershed feeding the lake, plus each regional supplier’s treatment capacity. Good client handout.Water · Handout
• Beaver Lake — US Army Corps of EngineersLake levels, Corps-owned shoreline, boat ramps and permitted shoreline use. Critical for anything marketed as waterfront.Lakefront

Transit

Regional and campus routes

• Ozark Regional Transit — RoutesLive regional bus routes. Transit proximity increasingly matters for workforce housing and multifamily underwriting.Transit
• Razorback Transit — University of ArkansasCampus route map. Directly relevant to student rental demand in Fayetteville.Transit · Student

Electric

Five providers cover the two counties

• Ozarks Electric — Service Area Map (PDF)The actual territory map. Ozarks serves parts of Benton, Washington, Madison, Crawford and Franklin counties plus northeast Oklahoma.Electric · Map
• Ozarks Electric CooperativeMember-owned co-op headquartered in Fayetteville. Also the parent of OzarksGo fiber internet.Electric · Fiber
• Carroll Electric CooperativeServes much of northern and eastern Benton County plus parts of Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. District office in Bentonville.Electric
• SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power Company)Investor-owned utility serving parts of both counties, including much of Fayetteville and Rogers.Electric
• Siloam Springs Electric DepartmentCity-owned electric utility since 1903. Also handles electrical inspections and net metering policy inside the city.Electric · Municipal
• City of BentonvilleBentonville owns its electric, water and wastewater systems under the Bentonville Utility Board. Start new-service and rate questions here.Electric · Municipal

Natural Gas

• Black Hills EnergyPrimary natural gas provider across most of Northwest Arkansas.Gas
• Arkansas Oklahoma Gas — Service TerritoryGas provider anchored in Fort Smith serving parts of the River Valley and areas south of the NWA metro. Check the territory page before assuming gas is available on a southern Washington County parcel.Gas

City Utility Directories

Fastest way to confirm every provider at one address

• Rogers — Helpful ResourcesCity-maintained list of the electric, gas, water and code contacts that apply in Rogers.Directory
• Centerton — Utilities DirectoryCenterton’s own list of who provides what inside city limits.Directory
• Centerton UtilitiesCity water and sewer — new service, billing and outages.Water · Sewer
• Fayetteville Water & Sewer OperationsFayetteville’s system also serves Farmington, Greenland, Goshen, Wheeler, parts of Johnson and rural Washington County, and wholesales to Elkins and West Fork.Water · Sewer

Maps & Parcel Records

• Benton County BasemapThe county’s primary interactive map — parcels, plats, addresses and layered search tools.GIS · Bookmark this
• Benton County Parcel MapParcel-focused viewer for ownership and boundary lookups.Parcels
• Benton County GIS — main pageGateway to the full map gallery: assessor maps, road closures, historical maps and property search.GIS
• Benton County GIS Open Data HubDownload parcels, addresses, contours and more as CSV, KML, shapefile or GeoJSON. Contour data is useful for slope analysis on acreage.Data download

Planning, Zoning & Permits

Unincorporated areas only

• Benton County ZoningThere is no zoning in unincorporated Benton County. Development is governed by subdivision regulations instead. Read this before advising a land client either way.Zoning · Land
• Benton County Planning DepartmentCommercial and industrial site plan review, subdivision review, stormwater and floodplain management outside city limits.Planning
• County Planning FAQPlain-language answers on jurisdiction, permits and when the Planning Board has to approve a project.Planning
• Benton County Building Safety — PermitsWhat still needs a permit. Since November 2023 the county has not required building permits for detached shops, carports, storage buildings, decks and fences in unincorporated areas.Permits
• Planning & Development Regulations (PDF)The governing document, including subdivision thresholds and the interplay with city planning-area jurisdiction.Rules
• Benton County Code of OrdinancesSearchable county code on Municode.Code

Bella Vista

City government · see also the POA section below

• Bella Vista Interactive MapCity map layers including parcels and boundaries.GIS
• City of Bella VistaThe city handles police, fire, streets, code enforcement, building permits, public trails and trash. The POA is a separate organization.City
• Bella Vista Short-Term RentalsCity permit required, renewed annually and posted at the property. Cap on non-owner-occupied units set by ordinance. Verify current availability with Planning before writing an offer.STR

Bentonville

• Bentonville GIS Map GalleryThe city’s ArcGIS portal with zoning, parcel and infrastructure viewers.GIS
• Bentonville — Find Zoning for a PropertyStep-by-step guide to pulling a parcel’s zoning district and the regulations that come with it.Zoning
• City of BentonvillePermits, planning, and the city-owned electric, water and wastewater utilities.City · Utilities

Rogers

• Rogers GIS ViewerCity-hosted map with parcels, zoning and infrastructure layers.GIS
• City of RogersPlanning, permits and business licensing. Rogers Water Utilities serves the city and several neighbors.City

Siloam Springs

• Siloam Springs GIS GalleryPublic map gallery hosted by the city.GIS
• City of Siloam SpringsCity owns electric, water and wastewater — a single point of contact for all three.City · Utilities

Growth-Corridor Cities

Centerton · Cave Springs · Lowell · Pea Ridge · Highfill

• Centerton Interactive MapOne of the fastest-growing cities in the county.GIS
• Cave Springs Interactive MapPair this with the regional karst study — development here is constrained by the recharge area.GIS · Karst
• Lowell Interactive MapCentral location on the I-49 corridor; heavy logistics and commercial presence.GIS
• Pea Ridge Interactive MapNortheast Benton County, adjacent to Pea Ridge National Military Park.GIS
• Highfill Interactive MapHome of XNA airport. Watch this one for commercial and industrial land.GIS · Airport

Western & Rural Benton County

Gravette · Gentry · Decatur · Sulphur Springs · Garfield

• Gravette Interactive MapNorthwest corner of the county.GIS
• Gentry Interactive MapCity operates its own water department.GIS
• Decatur Interactive MapWest Benton County, agricultural and poultry-processing area.GIS
• Sulphur Springs Interactive MapFar northwest, on the Missouri line.GIS
• Garfield Interactive MapEast Benton County near Beaver Lake and Hobbs State Park.GIS · Lakefront

Maps & Parcel Records

• Washington County GIS — main pageThe county’s official launch point for all three map tools below. Use this if a direct link ever fails.GIS · Bookmark this
• Washington County Public Web MapThe county’s primary interactive parcel and layer viewer.GIS
• DataScout Map — Washington CountyParcel map tied to assessment and tax records. Often the quickest ownership lookup.Parcels · Tax
• Download Washington County GIS DataRaw county GIS files as published by the county.Data download
• 1908 Plat Book of Washington CountyHistorical plat book from the county archives. Genuinely useful on old legal descriptions, abandoned roads and boundary disputes.Historical · Title

Property, Tax & Title Records

• Search Property RecordsAssessment records by owner, address or parcel.Records
• Indexed Land Records & LiensCircuit Clerk’s indexed deeds, mortgages and liens. First stop on any title question.Title · Liens
• Land Records, 1834–1991Historic recorded instruments. Where chain-of-title work on older tracts actually happens.Title · Historical
• Millage RatesCurrent millage by taxing district. Needed for any accurate carrying-cost estimate.Tax
• Property Tax EstimatorEstimate annual taxes at a given assessed value. Note that a sale can reset the assessment.Tax
• Sales Tax BreakdownState, county and city sales tax layers — relevant to retail and hospitality underwriting.Tax · Commercial
• Foreclosure ScheduleUpcoming county foreclosure sales.Distressed
• Circuit Clerk — Property ForeclosuresFiled foreclosure actions and sale notices.Distressed
• Pay Washington County Taxes (DataScout)Tax payment portal and receipt lookup — also a fast way to confirm taxes are current before closing.Tax

Planning, Permits & Flood

Unincorporated areas only

• Planning GIS Web MapThe planning department’s own map layers.Planning · GIS
• Planning Ordinances & RegulationsThe rules governing subdivision and development outside city limits.Rules
• National Flood Insurance Program — Washington CountyCounty floodplain administration and NFIP participation.Flood
• Development PermitsApply for county development permits.Permits
• Request an AddressNew builds on unaddressed rural parcels need a county-issued 911 address. Start this early — it gates utility connection.Land · Build
• Washington County Planning DepartmentApplications, fee schedule, board meetings and contacts.Planning

Fayetteville

• Fayetteville GIS Interactive MapsZoning, parcels, overlays and city infrastructure. The zoning map is the one to check before any STR or infill question.GIS · Zoning
• Fayetteville Code of OrdinancesFull searchable city code on Municode, including the unified development code.Code
• Fayetteville Water & SewerService area extends well past city limits and wholesales to several neighbors.Water · Sewer
• Kessler Mountain Regional ParkSouth Fayetteville trail anchor and the southern terminus of the Razorback Greenway.Amenity · Trails

Springdale

• Springdale GIS & Interactive MappingCity map hub. Note Springdale spans both Washington and Benton counties, and absorbed Bethel Heights in 2020.GIS

Northern & Western Washington County

Tontitown · Elm Springs · Johnson · Farmington · Lincoln

• Tontitown Interactive MapFast-growing western corridor along Highway 412.GIS
• Elm Springs Interactive MapStraddles the Washington-Benton county line.GIS
• Johnson Interactive MapBetween Fayetteville and Springdale; water service is split between the two neighbors.GIS
• Farmington Interactive MapWest of Fayetteville on Highway 62. Water and sewer run through Fayetteville’s system.GIS
• Lincoln Interactive MapFar western Washington County; city operates its own water department.GIS

Southern & Eastern Washington County

Greenland · West Fork · Elkins · Goshen

• Greenland Interactive MapImmediately south of Fayetteville on I-49.GIS
• West Fork Interactive MapSouth county, near Devil’s Den State Park.GIS
• Elkins Interactive MapEast of Fayetteville; buys water wholesale from Fayetteville.GIS
• Goshen Interactive MapNortheast toward Beaver Lake; largely low-density and rural.GIS

Bella Vista POA

Assessments run with the lot — confirm status before closing

• Bella Vista Property Owners AssociationGoverns private amenities and common property, and operates the Bella Vista water utility.POA
• The City, the POA and the ACC — who does whatThe clearest explanation of the three-way split. The ACC must approve construction and exterior changes before work begins. Send this to every Bella Vista buyer.POA · Bookmark this
• Available Lots & Judicial SalesPOA-held lots for sale, plus judicial sales held at the Benton County courthouse. Note that many small original-subdivision parcels are not buildable but still carry membership rights and a monthly assessment.Land · Investor
• POA FAQ — Members, Guests & RentalsTenants are not eligible for member privileges but can get guest passes through the owner or property manager. Golf courses, trails and restaurants are open to the public; lakes are not.POA · Rentals
• Member Services & Water Account AccessMember portal, water services and boat registration.POA
• Bella Vista Golf CoursesSeven courses. A genuine driver of value on adjacent lots.Amenity
• Bella Vista LakesSeven private member-owned lakes. Access is restricted to members and pass-holding guests.Amenity

City Programs

• Fayetteville Short-Term RentalsThe most developed framework in the region. Type 1 is owner-occupied; Type 2 is not and is subject to a citywide cap plus conditional use permit and density limits. Check current cap status and the waitlist before advising a buyer.STR
• Fayetteville STR Ordinance TimelineHow the ordinance was built and amended. Useful context when a client asks why the rules keep moving.STR · History
• Bella Vista Short-Term RentalsAnnual city permit, posted at the property, with a cap on non-owner-occupied units. Confirm remaining permit availability with the Planning Division directly.STR
• City of Bentonville — PlanningBentonville has historically operated without a dedicated STR ordinance, relying on general zoning and business licensing. Verify current status with Planning — this is exactly the kind of rule that changes without much notice.STR · Verify
• City of Rogers — PlanningConfirm registration and lodging-tax requirements with the city. Some Beaver Lake waterfront property sits in unincorporated Benton County rather than inside city limits, which changes which rules apply.STR · Verify
• City of SpringdaleConfirm current STR and transient-lodging requirements directly with the city.STR · Verify

Trail Systems

• NWA Trails and Bikeways MapRegional trail GIS from the University of Arkansas CAST, covering paved and natural-surface trails across both counties.Trails · GIS
• Razorback Regional GreenwayThe 40-mile paved spine connecting Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2023.Trails
• Oz Trails — Greenway Map (PDF)Downloadable trail map. Good handout for relocating buyers.Trails · Handout
• Oz Trails — Trail LocationsThe mountain bike systems that put NWA on the map: Slaughter Pen, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve and the rest, with maps for each.Trails
• NWA Trailblazers — Trail MapsCity-by-city paved systems, gravel routes and connector information from the regional trail nonprofit.Trails · Gravel
• Razorback Greenway Pocket MapPrintable pocket version from the planning commission.Trails · Handout

State & National Parks

• Arkansas State Parks — official sitePark finder with trails, lodging, events and activities statewide.Parks
• Northwest Arkansas State Parks GuideCovers Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area on Beaver Lake, Devil’s Den, Prairie Grove Battlefield and Withrow Springs. A strong relocation handout.Parks · Handout