City Building Permits
Southaven, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Southaven, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Mississippi DeSoto County Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Covers all construction within Southaven city limits. Southaven is the largest city in DeSoto County. All permit applications are exclusively through the online EnerGov portal; paper forms are not available in office.
- Department
- City of Southaven Building Department
- Address
- 8710 Northwest Drive, Southaven, MS 38671
- Phone
- 662-393-4639
Online Permit Portal
Platform: EnerGov (Tyler Technologies) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Create an account on the EnerGov permitting portal (link accessible from https://southaven.org/100/Building)
- Complete the online permit application and upload all required documents (site plan, building plans, contractor information, owner-builder certificate if applicable)
- Plans are reviewed by the Building Department; review time averages 1-3 business days for simple projects or 1-3 weeks depending on plan review workload; subsequent reviews are subject to the same 1-3 week timeframe
- Pay applicable fees; credit card payments as of April 28, 2025 incur a 3.95% processing fee (minimum $2.00) payable to the credit card processor; phone payment available at 662-460-4320
- Permit is issued upon plan approval
- Request all inspections online through the permitting portal; email confirmation is sent with the scheduled inspection date
- Inspections are scheduled based on availability, not applicant preference
- Obtain final inspection within 1 year of permit issuance
Typical processing time: Plan review 1-3 business days to 1-3 weeks depending on queue
General Requirements
New construction, additions, alterations, repairs, and associated trade work. A permit is required for any structural work, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Required Documents
- Permit application (online)
- Site plan
- Building plans
- Contractor information
- Owner-builder certificate of compliance (if homeowner is acting as own contractor)
- Permit validity
- Applicant has 6 months from permit issuance to obtain the first inspection or the permit is deactivated. Final inspection must be scheduled and completed within 1 year of permit issuance or the permit is void.
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may submit their own building permit for their primary residence via the online portal. A certificate of compliance form (notarized statement assuming liability) must be attached to the application; applications without this form will be denied. Owner-builders must still hire Mississippi State licensed contractors for all trade work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas).
- Contractor requirements
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) license required. Local City of Southaven contractor license also required for contractors performing work in Southaven.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based (Total Valuations Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential and Commercial)
- Payment note
- Online payments via EnerGov portal; phone payments at 662-460-4320 (Customer number and Account number required). Effective April 28, 2025, all credit card payments incur a 3.95% fee with a minimum charge of $2.00 per transaction; fees go to the credit card processor.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height
- Water tanks supported directly upon grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Minor repairs to existing plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems
Important: Southaven does not publish a separate exempt work list; verify with department at 662-393-4639 or see Municode ordinance.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- EnerGov permitting portal (online)
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation, framing, rough-in (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), insulation, final; varies by project type
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Codes
- Building FAQ
- Forms
- Municode Ordinances
- License lookup guide: Mississippi Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Mississippi Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Mississippi hub: Mississippi Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Southaven Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Southaven Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Southaven, MS?
- New construction, additions, alterations, repairs, and associated trade work. A permit is required for any structural work, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Southaven, MS?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based (Total Valuations Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential and Commercial).
- How do I apply for a building permit in Southaven, MS?
- 1. Create an account on the EnerGov permitting portal (link accessible from https://southaven.org/100/Building) 2. Complete the online permit application and upload all required documents (site plan, building plans, contractor information, owner-builder certificate if applicable) 3. Plans are reviewed by the Building Department; review time averages 1-3 business days for simple projects or 1-3 weeks depending on plan review workload; subsequent reviews are subject to the same 1-3 week timeframe 4. Pay applicable fees; credit card payments as of April 28, 2025 incur a 3.95% processing fee (minimum $2.00) payable to the credit card processor; phone payment available at 662-460-4320 5. Permit is issued upon plan approval 6. Request all inspections online through the permitting portal; email confirmation is sent with the scheduled inspection date 7. Inspections are scheduled based on availability, not applicant preference 8. Obtain final inspection within 1 year of permit issuance
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Southaven, MS?
- Typical processing time is Plan review 1-3 business days to 1-3 weeks depending on queue.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Southaven, MS?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height; Water tanks supported directly upon grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Minor repairs to existing plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems. Note: Southaven does not publish a separate exempt work list; verify with department at 662-393-4639 or see Municode ordinance.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Southaven, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: EnerGov permitting portal.
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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