County Building Permits
Hancock County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hancock County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Hancock County.
- Department
- Hancock County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 854 U.S. Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
- Phone
- 228-467-4157
Application Process
- Obtain permit application form from Hancock County Planning and Zoning Department at 854 U.S. Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
- Complete application with project details
- Submit completed form to the Planning and Zoning office
- Pay applicable permit fees
- Receive permit approval once application is processed
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact the department for current timelines.
General Requirements
Most major construction, renovation, and trade work requires a building permit. Work that is purely cosmetic—painting, flooring, cabinets, and minor repairs—generally does not require a permit.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors working in Mississippi must be licensed through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) if work value exceeds $10,000 (residential) or $50,000 (commercial).
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Hancock County Planning and Zoning at 228-467-4157 for current fee schedule and payment options.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Hancock County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 228-467-4157 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Standard inspection stages for construction projects: Foundation/Footing Inspection (before concrete pour), Framing Inspection (after structural framing), Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Rough-In Inspection (before walls closed), Insulation Inspection (before drywall), Final Inspection (after project completion).
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)
- Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Hancock County Permits & Forms
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) — Stormwater Permits
- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources — Coastal Zone & Wetlands Permits
- 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 Hancock County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hancock County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hancock County, MS?
- Most major construction, renovation, and trade work requires a building permit. Work that is purely cosmetic—painting, flooring, cabinets, and minor repairs—generally does not require a permit.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hancock County, MS?
- 1. Obtain permit application form from Hancock County Planning and Zoning Department at 854 U.S. Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 2. Complete application with project details 3. Submit completed form to the Planning and Zoning office 4. Pay applicable permit fees 5. Receive permit approval once application is processed
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hancock County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Processing time varies; contact the department for current timelines..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hancock County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 228-467-4157.
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