Tiny Homes & Cabins in Bella Vista, Arkansas: What’s Allowed in 2025?
The dream of building a small cabin in the woods—or living in a minimalist tiny home tucked away near a lake—is more alive than ever.
And for many, that dream points straight to Bella Vista, Arkansas.
With its mix of affordable land, natural beauty, low taxes, and a strong community infrastructure, Bella Vista is attracting everyone from retirees and remote workers to homesteaders and tiny house lovers.
But before you buy land and start building your cabin, it’s essential to understand what’s allowed—and where.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including:
- ✅ Tiny homes on wheels vs foundation
- ✅ Cabin requirements
- ✅ RV living rules
- ✅ Utility access
- ✅ POA (Property Owners Association) regulations
- ✅ Where to find the best lots for alternative housing
🌲 Why Bella Vista Is Attracting Cabin & Tiny Home Builders
Bella Vista is located in Benton County, Arkansas, just north of Bentonville—home to Walmart’s HQ—and offers:
- 🏞️ Secluded wooded lots (many with lake or trail access)
- 🛠️ Pre-developed subdivisions with road access & utilities
- 🧾 Minimal annual property taxes ($50–$200)
- 🔌 Available electric, water, and high-speed internet
- 🛶 7 private lakes + 100+ miles of bike and hiking trails
- 👮♂️ A strong, maintained community structure via POA
And compared to places like Colorado or Tennessee? Land here is still shockingly affordable.
🏡 Can You Build a Cabin in Bella Vista?
Yes. Cabins are allowed in most residential-zoned areas of Bella Vista, but with guidelines.
Minimum Build Requirements:
- Minimum size: 1,000 sq. ft.
- Foundation: Must be permanent
- Design Review: Must be approved by the POA’s ACC
- Setbacks: 20–25 ft from road/property lines
- Utilities: Must connect to electric and water
Cabins are totally allowed—but must follow the POA building guidelines.
🏠 Can You Build a Tiny Home?
Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW): ❌ Not allowed for permanent living in POA areas.
Tiny Homes on Foundations: ✅ Allowed if they meet the 1,000 sq. ft. minimum and permanent structure rules.
🚐 RV Living in Bella Vista?
- ⛺ Short-term camping is allowed (up to 30 days)
- 🚐 Permanent RV living is not allowed inside the POA
- ❗ For full-time RV life, look for land outside the POA
Need unrestricted land? Use the Find Your Dream Parcel Tool.
🔌 What About Utilities?
Most Bella Vista lots include:
- ⚡ Electricity: Carroll Electric Co-op
- 💧 Water: Bella Vista Water Utility
- 🌐 Internet: Cox or AT&T Fiber
- 🚽 Septic: Most lots require septic
Need off-grid land? Use our custom land finder.
📜 POA Rules to Know
The Bella Vista POA requires:
- 🏠 Minimum home size: 1,000 sq. ft.
- 🧱 Permanent foundations only
- 🏕️ No mobile homes or RV residences
- 📄 Plans must be submitted to the ACC
- 💰 Dues: ~$192/year ($16/month)
📍 Where to Build Your Dream Home
Inside the POA: Great for cabins, modular homes, long-term residents.
Outside the POA: Great for tiny homes, RVs, off-grid builds (unrestricted areas).
Use our Land Finder Form and get matched to land that fits your vision.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Cabin + Tiny Living Is Possible in Bella Vista
If your dream includes:
- 🛖 A cozy cabin near a private lake
- 🏠 A minimalist house in the Ozark hills
- 🌲 Land with trail access and peaceful surroundings
- 💡 An off-grid, eco-friendly setup
Then Bella Vista is one of the top places in the U.S. to start.