Houston, MS — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Houston Building and Permits Department

Street address

120 East Madison Street, PO Box 548, Houston, MS 38851

Phone

662-456-2554

Contact through city website

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Houston.

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Houston

Required for new construction, additions, renovations involving structural changes, and demolitions.

Note: Not specified online. Contact Houston Building Department for exemptions (flood zones, historical districts, agricultural uses, etc.).

Required documents

Completed permit application
Building plans
Project specifications

Building code: Specific code editions not detailed online. Contact City of Houston Building Department for current adopted IBC/IRC version.
Permit validity: Contact city for permit expiration requirements
Owner-builder: Contact city for owner-builder requirements
Contractor requirements: Contractors must meet MSBOC licensing requirements if project exceeds state thresholds ($50,000+ for residential; $50,000+ for commercial).

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Contact city office for processing timeline

01

Visit City Hall at 120 East Madison Street during business hours
02

Complete building permit application
03

Submit application with building plans and specifications
04

Pay permit fee (calculated based on construction cost)
05

Permit issued or denial/revision request provided

Typical processing time: Contact city office for processing timeline

Source: City of Houston Building and Permits Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Houston building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$5.00

Permit fee formula

$1.00 per $1,000 of construction cost, minimum $5.00

Privilege License (business license) also required for business operation within city limits; contact city for fee amount

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Specific inspection stages and timeline not published online.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Houston permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Houston, MS? ▸

Required for new construction, additions, renovations involving structural changes, and demolitions.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Houston, MS? ▸

Building permit fees in Houston, MS are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $5.00. Fees are calculated as: $1.00 per $1,000 of construction cost, minimum $5.00.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Houston, MS? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Houston, MS, follow these steps: 1. Visit City Hall at 120 East Madison Street during business hours 2. Complete building permit application 3. Submit application with building plans and specifications 4. Pay permit fee (calculated based on construction cost) 5. Permit issued or denial/revision request provided

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Houston, MS? ▸

Building permit processing times in Houston, MS typically run Contact city office for processing timeline. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

last verified April 2026 source City of Houston Building and Permits Department ↗ entry id permits/mississippi/chickasaw/houston

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Houston Building and Permits Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Houston

Other jurisdictions in Chickasaw County.