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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Southaven
New construction, additions, alterations, repairs, and associated trade work. A permit is required for any structural work, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
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
- 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
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly upon grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt 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.
Required documents
- Permit application (online)
- Site plan
- Building plans
- Contractor information
- Owner-builder certificate of compliance (if homeowner is acting as own contractor)
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Plan review 1-3 business days to 1-3 weeks depending on queue
- 01 Create an account on the EnerGov permitting portal (link accessible from https://southaven.org/100/Building)
- 02 Complete the online permit application and upload all required documents (site plan, building plans, contractor information, owner-builder certificate if applicable)
- 03 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
- 04 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
- 05 Permit is issued upon plan approval
- 06 Request all inspections online through the permitting portal; email confirmation is sent with the scheduled inspection date
- 07 Inspections are scheduled based on availability, not applicant preference
- 08 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
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based (Total Valuations Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential and Commercial)
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- EnerGov permitting portal (online)
Typical sequence: Foundation, framing, rough-in (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), insulation, final; varies by project type
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Southaven permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Southaven, MS? ▸
Building permit fees in Southaven, MS are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based (Total Valuations Building Permit Fee Schedule, Residential and Commercial).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Southaven, MS? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Southaven, MS, follow these steps: 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
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Southaven, MS? ▸
Building permit processing times in Southaven, MS typically run Plan review 1-3 business days to 1-3 weeks depending on queue. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Southaven, MS? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Southaven, MS? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Southaven, MS via: EnerGov permitting portal.
last verified April 2026
source City of Southaven Building Department ↗
entry id permits/mississippi/desoto/southaven
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Southaven Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.