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Do I need a permit for a storm shelter in Jonesboro?
Short answer: Inside Jonesboro city limits, yes. The city’s Inspections fee schedule lists a storm shelter permit at $50 (City of Jonesboro fee schedule). Residential plan review takes about 3 to 5 days, and Engineering may check floodplain and stormwater issues before Inspections issues the permit (City of Jonesboro, Plan Review). Outside city limits, check with Craighead County. If anyone digs, Arkansas 811 has to be called first (Arkansas 811 FAQ).
What the city publishes
| Item | What Jonesboro says |
|---|---|
| Storm shelter permit fee | $50 on the Inspections and Planning fee schedule |
| Residential plan review | About 3 to 5 days |
| Floodplain / stormwater | Engineering reviews during plan review when it applies |
| After install | Free E-911 Storm Shelter Registry for city and county residents |
Fee from City of Jonesboro fee schedule. Timing and review from City of Jonesboro, Plan Review. Registry: Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry.
Steps before install day
- Pick the shelter type and spot. NSSA wants a residential shelter within 150 feet of an exterior door and at least 3 square feet of floor per person (NSSA, residential tornado shelters).
- Get matching quotes. Ask each installer whether the $50 permit is in the price.
- File the city permit (or have the installer file it) if you are inside city limits.
- For any digging, call Arkansas 811 or 1-800-482-8998. The call is free. Utilities have 2 working days to mark lines. A ticket is good for 20 working days, and work has to start within 10 (Arkansas 811 FAQ).
- On install day, confirm anchoring details. FEMA notes that anchors drilled into an existing slab need a special inspection under the 2021 IRC (FEMA Building Science FAQ).
- Afterward, add the shelter to the E-911 registry (Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry).
Checklist
- Confirm city limits vs county jurisdiction for your address
- $50 permit fee budgeted or included in the installer quote
- Plan set ready for the 3 to 5 day review window
- Arkansas 811 ticket placed before excavation
- Private lines past the meter marked by you (utilities do not mark those)
- E-911 registry form bookmarked for after install
For costs by type, see the price guide. For a longer install walkthrough, see installation steps. For paying for the shelter when no rebate exists, see financing and payment options.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit for a storm shelter in Jonesboro?
Inside city limits, yes. The Inspections fee schedule lists a storm shelter permit at $50 (City of Jonesboro fee schedule). Outside city limits, ask Craighead County.
How long does plan review take?
The city says residential plan review takes about 3 to 5 days (City of Jonesboro, Plan Review). Engineering may check floodplain and stormwater before Inspections issues the permit.
Do I need to call 811 before digging?
Yes for any ground disturbance. Arkansas 811 says the call is free, utilities have 2 working days to mark lines, and a ticket is good for 20 working days (Arkansas 811 FAQ).
Who pulls the permit, me or the installer?
Many installers pull it. Ask whether the $50 fee and the filing are in the quote. You are still the property owner of record on the application.
Should I register the shelter after install?
Yes. Jonesboro E-911’s Storm Shelter Registry is free and tells responders where to look after a tornado (Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry).
Are storm shelters exempt from building permits?
FEMA notes that the 2021 International Residential Code does not exempt storm shelters from permits, and anchors into an existing slab need a special inspection (FEMA Building Science FAQ).
This page is a plain summary of city and state-published steps, not legal advice. The city’s building office has the final word on your address.
Sources: City of Jonesboro fee schedule; City of Jonesboro, Plan Review; Jonesboro E-911 Storm Shelter Registry; Arkansas 811 FAQ; NSSA, residential tornado shelters; FEMA Building Science FAQ.
Get a storm shelter quote
Only your name and phone are required. A local installer follows up with you.
How this works
- We send it to one installer near you, or up to 3.
- If they can take the job, they contact you with a price.
- Asking is free.
Angi puts the national average for a tornado shelter at $7,643. Source: Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide.
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