Quick answer
Ask the City how the rule applies to your exact work before digging. Utility locating and specialty trade requirements are separate safety/legal questions.
What to check first
Start with observable conditions before choosing a repair method. These checks help separate a surface symptom from the problem that actually needs attention.
- Depth, length, and purpose of the excavation.
- Whether soil will be removed, added, or redistributed.
- How the work changes stormwater flow or exposes soil to erosion.
- Locations of utilities and required utility-locate procedures.
- Whether the trench serves electrical, plumbing, drainage, irrigation, or another specialty system.
Why these details change the repair
A good repair plan should address cause, access, safety and finish—not merely the most visible defect. For this topic, the following details can materially change the scope:
- A trench itself may be simple earthwork, while the system installed in it can require a licensed trade.
- Changing grade can redirect water onto structures or neighboring areas.
- Open excavations create fall/collapse and utility hazards.
- Permit and erosion-control requirements should be checked before machinery arrives.
A practical way to handle it
When to turn the question into a service call
If you know the symptom but do not want to spend your time diagnosing, sourcing materials, setting up tools, or making several repair attempts, send the job to Bentonville Handyman Co. The most useful request includes the room or exterior location, what is happening, approximate quantity or size, and whether the condition is changing.
Use the short request form, call, or go directly to the related Bentonville Handyman Co service page.
Common questions
FAQ
Does a shallow trench always require the same permit?
The City’s stormwater page broadly references grading, filling and excavating. Ask the City how the rule applies to your specific dimensions and purpose.
Can I dig before utility locates if I know where the lines are?
Follow Arkansas utility-locate requirements and safe excavation practices; do not rely on memory or assumptions.
What if the trench is for electrical or plumbing?
The installed system may require separate permits and licensed specialty work even if someone else performs permitted excavation.
Official sources used for this guide
Regulatory information changes. The links below are the controlling places to verify current requirements.
Requirements checked 2026-08-13. This page is practical homeowner information, not an official permit determination or legal advice.