What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marion County, MS?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings and farm structures (exempt from building code requirements under Mississippi Code § 17-2-9; not exempt from floodplain requirements if in Special Flood Hazard Areas); Manufactured housing (subject to separate HUD standards and state-specific siting requirements). Note: Farm building and structure exemptions do not apply in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. Confirm edge cases with the Board of Supervisors before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marion County, MS?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Marion County Board of Supervisors: 601-736-7382. Contact the Board of Supervisors directly to schedule inspections..

County Building Permits

Marion County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marion County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Mississippi Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Marion County, including rural areas and unincorporated communities (Foxworth, Kokomo, Sandy Hook, Lumber City, etc.).

Department: Marion County Board of Supervisors
Address: 215 Broad Street, Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: 601-736-7382
Website: https://www.marioncountyms.com/

Application Process

Confirm the property is in unincorporated Marion County using the Tax Assessor or GIS at gis-marioncounty.opendata.arcgis.com.
Contact the Marion County Board of Supervisors office (601-736-7382) to request permit application forms and confirm current requirements.
Prepare project documentation: property deed copy, site plan, construction drawings (2 sets recommended).
For projects over $50,000, ensure contractor holds a valid MSBOC license.
Submit completed application with supporting documents to the Board of Supervisors office in person.
Pay applicable permit fees upon approval.
Obtain permit and schedule required inspections before work begins.
For projects on state highway right-of-way, obtain separate MDOT driveway/access permit (mdot.ms.gov).

Typical processing time: 1-2 weeks for standard residential projects; longer for complex commercial projects.

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new residential or commercial construction, additions, alterations, renovations, demolition, electrical/plumbing/mechanical system installation, septic system installation, and any construction in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Property deed copy
Site plan
Construction drawings (2 sets recommended)
Contractor license documentation (if project exceeds $50,000)
Applicant/owner acknowledgements

Permit validity: Specific validity periods should be confirmed directly with the Board of Supervisors.
Building code: Marion County's building code adoption status is not publicly documented. Contact the Board of Supervisors (601-736-7382) to confirm whether the county has adopted the IBC/IRC and which edition applies.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders may apply; confirm any required disclosure forms with the Board of Supervisors.
Contractor requirements: Contractors performing residential work over $50,000 or commercial work over $50,000 must hold a valid MSBOC license.

Fees

Payment note: Marion County does not publish a fee schedule online. Fees are set by the Board of Supervisors and may be based on construction valuation, square footage, or flat rate per project type. Contact the Board of Supervisors office at 601-736-7382 for current fee amounts. Typical Mississippi county fees for reference: $50-$200 flat fee for small residential projects; $1.00-$3.00 per $1,000 of construction value for larger projects.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Farm buildings and farm structures (exempt from building code requirements under Mississippi Code § 17-2-9; not exempt from floodplain requirements if in Special Flood Hazard Areas)
Manufactured housing (subject to separate HUD standards and state-specific siting requirements)

Important: Farm building and structure exemptions do not apply in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. Confirm edge cases with the Board of Supervisors before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Marion County Board of Supervisors: 601-736-7382 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Contact the Board of Supervisors directly to schedule inspections.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (confirm with Board of Supervisors)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection stages include: pre-construction/site inspection, foundation inspection, framing inspection, systems rough-in inspection (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), and final inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: Marion County's building code adoption status is not publicly documented. Contact the Board of Supervisors (601-736-7382) to confirm whether the county has adopted the IBC/IRC and which edition applies.
Verify contractor license: MSBOC License Lookup
Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
MDEQ Construction Stormwater Permits
MSDH Onsite Wastewater (Septic) Permits
Marion County Chancery Clerk
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 Marion County Board of Supervisors before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marion County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Marion County, MS?: Building permits are required for new residential or commercial construction, additions, alterations, renovations, demolition, electrical/plumbing/mechanical system installation, septic system installation, and any construction in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marion County, MS?: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Marion County using the Tax Assessor or GIS at gis-marioncounty.opendata.arcgis.com. 2. Contact the Marion County Board of Supervisors office (601-736-7382) to request permit application forms and confirm current requirements. 3. Prepare project documentation: property deed copy, site plan, construction drawings (2 sets recommended). 4. For projects over $50,000, ensure contractor holds a valid MSBOC license. 5. Submit completed application with supporting documents to the Board of Supervisors office in person. 6. Pay applicable permit fees upon approval. 7. Obtain permit and schedule required inspections before work begins. 8. For projects on state highway right-of-way, obtain separate MDOT driveway/access permit (mdot.ms.gov).
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Marion County, MS?: Typical processing time is 1-2 weeks for standard residential projects; longer for complex commercial projects..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marion County, MS?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings and farm structures (exempt from building code requirements under Mississippi Code § 17-2-9; not exempt from floodplain requirements if in Special Flood Hazard Areas); Manufactured housing (subject to separate HUD standards and state-specific siting requirements). Note: Farm building and structure exemptions do not apply in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas. Confirm edge cases with the Board of Supervisors before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marion County, MS?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Marion County Board of Supervisors: 601-736-7382. Contact the Board of Supervisors directly to schedule inspections..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Marion County (Unincorporated) can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: 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.

← Back to Marion County permit guides