Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Trust lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (approximately 35,000 acres within Neshoba County and seven adjacent counties). Within Neshoba County, the primary community is Pearl River. Construction on MBCI tribal trust lands is NOT subject to Neshoba County, City of Philadelphia, State of Mississippi building codes, or any state or local permit jurisdiction.

Department

Choctaw Housing Authority / MBCI Office of Construction Management

Address

Hwy 16 West, Choctaw, MS 39350 (P.O. Box 6088, Choctaw, MS 39350)

Phone

601-656-6617 or 601-656-2039

Website

https://www.choctaw.org/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the property is located within MBCI trust land boundaries (contact MBCI directly or the BIA Choctaw Agency).
2. Contact the Choctaw Housing Authority (601-656-6617) for residential projects or the MBCI Office of Construction Management (354 Industrial Road No. 2, Choctaw, MS 39350) for commercial or infrastructure projects.
3. Obtain and complete tribal permit application forms as directed by the MBCI.
4. Submit plans and construction documents for tribal review.
5. Obtain any required tribal approvals (may include Tribal Council approval for land leases or use permits on tribal land per the Tribal Land Leasing Code).
6. MBCI inspectors conduct required inspections.
7. Obtain tribal certificate of occupancy or final approval.

Typical processing time: Not specified; contact MBCI directly for timeline.

Source: Choctaw Housing Authority / MBCI Office of Construction Management

General Requirements

The Choctaw Housing and Building Code (Title XVII of the MBCI Tribal Code) applies to all lands owned by, held in trust for, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The code governs all construction, alteration, demolition, and occupancy on tribal lands.

Required Documents

• Tribal permit application forms (obtained from MBCI)
• Construction plans
• Construction documents
• Evidence of tribal land ownership or lease (if applicable)

Building code

Choctaw Housing and Building Code (Title XVII of the MBCI Tribal Code). State and county building codes do not apply on tribal trust lands.

Contractor requirements

Mississippi contractor licensing (MSBOC) may apply to contractors working on tribal lands if required by the tribe as a condition of contract. Verify with MBCI directly. For non-member construction on tribal land, a Tribal Land Lease or Land Use Permit must be approved by the Tribal Council prior to construction.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Not publicly documented

Payment note

Tribal permit fees are not publicly documented. Contact Choctaw Housing Authority at 601-656-6617 for current fee information.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Choctaw Housing Authority / MBCI Office of Construction Management to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 601-656-6617 or 601-656-2039 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections on MBCI trust lands are conducted by tribal inspectors under the Choctaw Housing and Building Code. Contact the Housing Authority or MBCI Public Works for specific inspection scheduling procedures.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Choctaw Housing and Building Code (Title XVII of the MBCI Tribal Code). State and county building codes do not apply on tribal trust lands.
• Verify contractor license: MSBOC License Lookup (verify tribal requirements)
• MBCI Tribal Code (Title XXXVII — Tribal Member Land Leasing Code)
• BIA Choctaw Agency
• License lookup guide: Mississippi Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Mississippi Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Mississippi hub: Mississippi Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS?

The Choctaw Housing and Building Code (Title XVII of the MBCI Tribal Code) applies to all lands owned by, held in trust for, leased, occupied, or otherwise controlled by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The code governs all construction, alteration, demolition, and occupancy on tribal lands.

How much does a building permit cost in Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS?

Fees are calculated as: Not publicly documented.

How do I apply for a building permit in Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS?

1. Confirm that the property is located within MBCI trust land boundaries (contact MBCI directly or the BIA Choctaw Agency). 2. Contact the Choctaw Housing Authority (601-656-6617) for residential projects or the MBCI Office of Construction Management (354 Industrial Road No. 2, Choctaw, MS 39350) for commercial or infrastructure projects. 3. Obtain and complete tribal permit application forms as directed by the MBCI. 4. Submit plans and construction documents for tribal review. 5. Obtain any required tribal approvals (may include Tribal Council approval for land leases or use permits on tribal land per the Tribal Land Leasing Code). 6. MBCI inspectors conduct required inspections. 7. Obtain tribal certificate of occupancy or final approval.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS?

Typical processing time is Not specified; contact MBCI directly for timeline..

How do I schedule a building inspection in Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — Tribal Trust Lands, MS?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 601-656-6617 or 601-656-2039.