County Building Permits
Forrest County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Forrest County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Forrest County, excluding incorporated municipalities (Hattiesburg, Petal, Purvis).
- Department
- Forrest County Planning Department
- Address
- 641 N Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401
- Phone
- (601) 545-6015
Application Process
- Contact the Forrest County Planning Department to determine if your project is in an unincorporated area or within a municipality.
- Confirm zoning compliance and identify applicable codes (varies by area).
- Prepare construction documents and site plans as required.
- Submit application and documentation to the county Planning Department office.
- Pay applicable permit and inspection fees.
- Receive permit approval and schedule inspections as required.
- Conduct work in compliance with approved plans and county ordinances.
- Request final inspection and obtain approval.
Typical processing time: Timeframes vary; contact Planning Department for specific project details.
General Requirements
Any new construction, structural alterations, or major repairs (cost-based thresholds apply; typically over $10,000 triggers contractor licensing requirements).
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Construction plans prepared by registered architect or design professional
- Site plan
- Proof of zoning compliance
- Building code
- Mississippi state law allows local jurisdictions to adopt IBC/IRC; the specific edition adopted by unincorporated Forrest County is not publicly documented. Contact the Planning Department to confirm which codes apply to your project.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractor required for projects exceeding $50,000 (residential) or $100,000 (commercial) per Mississippi state law. Electrical and gas piping work must be performed by licensed contractors.
Fees
- Payment note
- Specific fees for unincorporated Forrest County are not publicly listed online. Contact the Planning Department at (601) 545-6015 for current permit and inspection fees.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Forrest County Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (601) 545-6015 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Allow 24+ hours notice for inspectors to schedule.
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements are determined by the type and scope of work. Common inspection stages include: Foundation/footing inspection, Framing inspection, Building system inspections (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), Final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Mississippi state law allows local jurisdictions to adopt IBC/IRC; the specific edition adopted by unincorporated Forrest County is not publicly documented. Contact the Planning Department to confirm which codes apply to your project.
- Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- MDEQ Stormwater Permits
- MSDH On-Site Wastewater (Septic)
- 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 Forrest County Planning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Forrest County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Forrest County, MS?
- Any new construction, structural alterations, or major repairs (cost-based thresholds apply; typically over $10,000 triggers contractor licensing requirements).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Forrest County, MS?
- 1. Contact the Forrest County Planning Department to determine if your project is in an unincorporated area or within a municipality. 2. Confirm zoning compliance and identify applicable codes (varies by area). 3. Prepare construction documents and site plans as required. 4. Submit application and documentation to the county Planning Department office. 5. Pay applicable permit and inspection fees. 6. Receive permit approval and schedule inspections as required. 7. Conduct work in compliance with approved plans and county ordinances. 8. Request final inspection and obtain approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Forrest County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Timeframes vary; contact Planning Department for specific project details..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Forrest County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (601) 545-6015. Allow 24+ hours notice for inspectors to schedule..
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