Pearl River County, MS — 2026 Building Permit Guide

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§ 01

Permit authority

Planning and Building Department, Building Division

Street address

100 S Main Street, Poplarville, MS 39470

Phone

601-403-2202

Coverage

All unincorporated areas of Pearl River County, including Carriere, Henleyfield, McNeill, Nicholson, and Caesar.

Online portal

FormCenter Permit Application

FormCenter

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Pearl River County

Building permits are mandatory for all construction in unincorporated areas of Pearl River County. Pearl River County has opted in to mandatory building permitting under Mississippi Code § 17-2-1 et seq.

Scope of work

Permit?

Farm structures (barns, sheds, poultry houses, and other non-residential farm structures) are exempt from building code requirements under Miss. Code § 17-2-7.

Exempt

Exempt Farm structures (barns, sheds, poultry houses, and other non-residential farm structures) are exempt from building code requirements under Miss. Code § 17-2-7.

Note: Farm structure exemption from building code requirements does not override floodplain management ordinances. All structures in designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) must comply with NFIP-required floodplain standards, including farm structures.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Detailed description of work
Property/parcel information
Contractor license number (if contractor is used)
Plans, surveys, or plot plans (as required by permit category)
Elevation certificate (for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas)

Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adopted by county ordinance.
Permit validity: Permit validity period not explicitly stated; contact office for details.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders are permitted; consult local ordinance for any limitations.
Contractor requirements: Contractors performing work must hold appropriate state licensure under MSBOC requirements and comply with Pearl River County's Contractor Licensing Ordinance (2006).

Source: Planning and Building Department, Building Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time varies by project type and completeness; contact the office for estimates.

01

Determine property type and permit type needed (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC/Mechanical, Mobile Home placement, Utility Building/Additions/Remodeling, Tiny House, or Detached Garage).
02

Submit online via FormCenter or in person at 100 S Main Street, Poplarville.
03

Provide applicant information, contractor license number (if contractor is used), property/parcel details, and a detailed description of work.
04

Upload or submit supporting attachments (plans, surveys, plot plans as required by category).
05

If property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), provide an elevation certificate from a licensed land surveyor before permit issuance.
06

Pay applicable fees (contact office for fee information).
07

Permit is reviewed and issued; post permit on job site.
08

Schedule required inspections through the Building Division.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies by project type and completeness; contact the office for estimates.

Source: Planning and Building Department, Building Division ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Poplarville office: 601-403-2202 (phone)
Picayune satellite: 601-749-7731 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Contact Building Division for inspection scheduling requirements.
Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed daily 12:00 PM–1:00 PM)
Time windows: Inspection windows vary by inspection type; contact the office for details.

Typical sequence: Typical residential inspection sequence: Foundation/footing (before pour), Framing/rough-in, Mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, Insulation (if applicable), Final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

Source: Planning and Building Department, Building Division ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Pearl River County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS? ▸

02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS, follow these steps: 1. Determine property type and permit type needed (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC/Mechanical, Mobile Home placement, Utility Building/Additions/Remodeling, Tiny House, or Detached Garage). 2. Submit online via FormCenter or in person at 100 S Main Street, Poplarville. 3. Provide applicant information, contractor license number (if contractor is used), property/parcel details, and a detailed description of work. 4. Upload or submit supporting attachments (plans, surveys, plot plans as required by category). 5. If property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), provide an elevation certificate from a licensed land surveyor before permit issuance. 6. Pay applicable fees (contact office for fee information). 7. Permit is reviewed and issued; post permit on job site. 8. Schedule required inspections through the Building Division.

03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS typically run Processing time varies by project type and completeness; contact the office for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS. The following work is generally exempt: Farm structures (barns, sheds, poultry houses, and other non-residential farm structures) are exempt from building code requirements under Miss. Code § 17-2-7.. Note: Farm structure exemption from building code requirements does not override floodplain management ordinances. All structures in designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) must comply with NFIP-required floodplain standards, including farm structures. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pearl River County, MS via: Poplarville office: 601-403-2202, Picayune satellite: 601-749-7731. Contact Building Division for inspection scheduling requirements..

last verified April 2026 source Planning and Building Department, Building Division ↗ entry id permits/mississippi/pearl-river/unincorporated

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Building Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Pearl River County