County Building Permits
Kemper County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kemper County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated areas of Kemper County outside municipal boundaries.
- Department
- Kemper County Permitting Department
- Address
- Contact through county offices at https://kempercountyms.gov/
- Phone
- 601-743-2460
Application Process
- Contact Kemper County Permitting Department at 601-743-2460
- Obtain building permit application forms from the county
- Submit completed application with site plans and project specifications
- Pay applicable permit fees
- Receive approval notice or deficiency notification
- Proceed with construction once permit is issued
- Schedule and complete required inspections
Typical processing time: Contact county for current processing times
General Requirements
Most major construction, renovation, and trade work requires a building permit. Purely cosmetic work generally does not require permits but applicants should confirm with the county.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plans
- Project specifications
- Architectural drawings
- Permit validity
- Contact Kemper County Permitting Department for permit validity periods
- Building code
- Mississippi does not mandate a uniform statewide residential code. Kemper County adopts and enforces codes consistent with state guidelines; specific editions of International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) are adopted locally.
- Contractor requirements
- Residential construction projects valued over $50,000 require a Mississippi residential contractor's license; commercial building construction valued over $50,000 requires a commercial contractor's license. See Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).
Fees
- Payment note
- Specific fee schedules are not published online. Contact Kemper County Permitting Department at 601-743-2460 to obtain current permit fee information.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Kemper County Permitting Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Kemper County Permitting Department (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact county for scheduling procedures
- Inspection hours
- Contact Kemper County Permitting Department for current hours
Typical inspection sequence: Standard inspection stages for building permits typically include: foundation and footing inspections, framing inspections, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) inspections, and final inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Mississippi does not mandate a uniform statewide residential code. Kemper County adopts and enforces codes consistent with state guidelines; specific editions of International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) are adopted locally.
- Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) — Stormwater
- Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — On-Site Wastewater
- Mississippi State Fire Marshal
- 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 Kemper County Permitting Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kemper County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kemper County, MS?
- Most major construction, renovation, and trade work requires a building permit. Purely cosmetic work generally does not require permits but applicants should confirm with the county.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kemper County, MS?
- 1. Contact Kemper County Permitting Department at 601-743-2460 2. Obtain building permit application forms from the county 3. Submit completed application with site plans and project specifications 4. Pay applicable permit fees 5. Receive approval notice or deficiency notification 6. Proceed with construction once permit is issued 7. Schedule and complete required inspections
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kemper County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Contact county for current processing times.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kemper County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Kemper County Permitting Department. Contact county for scheduling procedures.
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