County Building Permits
Rankin County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rankin County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers all unincorporated portions of Rankin County. Incorporated municipalities administer their own permits independently.
- Department
- Office of Community Development
- Address
- 203 E Government St Suite 205, Brandon, MS 39042
- Phone
- (601) 824-2570
Application Process
- Contact the Office of Community Development at (601) 824-2570 to confirm permit requirements for your project type.
- Obtain the appropriate permit application (available from the office or referenced on the county document center).
- Gather required documents: site plan, contractor information (general, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), proof of contractor licenses and bonds, proof of liability insurance.
- Submit application and pay permit fee in person at 203 E Government St Suite 205, Brandon, MS 39042.
- Plans are reviewed for code compliance.
- Once approved, permit is issued and posted at the job site.
- Schedule required inspections by calling (601) 824-2570 as work progresses.
- After final inspection is passed, a Certificate of Occupancy or final sign-off is issued.
- A utility permit and inspection are also required before a change in occupancy in any dwelling or building (ordinance effective October 1, 2013).
Source: Office of Community Development
General Requirements
New construction, additions, renovations, storage structures, manufactured home placement, and any work subject to the county Real Property Inspection Ordinance. A utility permit is required whenever electrical service is being transferred to a new name or there is a change in occupancy.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan showing location of proposed construction
- Names and license numbers for general, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors
- MSBOC license required for contractors on projects over $10,000 (residential remodeling/roofing) or over $50,000 (residential new construction and commercial work)
- $5,000 performance bond per contractor
- Proof of $300,000 minimum commercial liability insurance
- Final 910 form from Mississippi State Department of Health (1-855-220-0192) required before permanent power is released
- Water service approval from the applicable water provider required at final inspection for Certificate of Occupancy
- Building code
- International Building Code (2018 IBC is the Mississippi state baseline as of 2019; confirm the current local adoption with the Office of Community Development)
- Contractor requirements
- MSBOC license required for projects over applicable thresholds (see above); $5,000 performance bond; $300,000 liability insurance
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation up to $8,000: Not specified; $8,001 to $50,000: $15 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $50,001 to $100,000: $260 for the first $50,000 plus $4 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $100,001 to $500,000: $460 for the first $100,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $500,001 and above: $1,660 for the first $500,000 plus $2 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof
- Reinspection fee
- Doubled if work begins before permit obtained
- Payment note
- In-person payment required; call (601) 824-2570 to schedule inspections and arrange payment
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Office of Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (601) 824-2570 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation (before concrete is poured), Frame/mechanical/electrical rough-in (before insulation), Electrical service (transfer from temporary to permanent power), Final inspection (leads to Certificate of Occupancy), Utility permit inspection (required for change in occupancy)
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Code (2018 IBC is the Mississippi state baseline as of 2019; confirm the current local adoption with the Office of Community Development)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Zoning Ordinance (amended March 4, 2024)
- Document Center
- 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 Office of Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rankin County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Rankin County, MS?
- New construction, additions, renovations, storage structures, manufactured home placement, and any work subject to the county Real Property Inspection Ordinance. A utility permit is required whenever electrical service is being transferred to a new name or there is a change in occupancy.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rankin County, MS?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation up to $8,000: Not specified; $8,001 to $50,000: $15 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $50,001 to $100,000: $260 for the first $50,000 plus $4 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $100,001 to $500,000: $460 for the first $100,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof; $500,001 and above: $1,660 for the first $500,000 plus $2 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rankin County, MS?
- 1. Contact the Office of Community Development at (601) 824-2570 to confirm permit requirements for your project type. 2. Obtain the appropriate permit application (available from the office or referenced on the county document center). 3. Gather required documents: site plan, contractor information (general, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), proof of contractor licenses and bonds, proof of liability insurance. 4. Submit application and pay permit fee in person at 203 E Government St Suite 205, Brandon, MS 39042. 5. Plans are reviewed for code compliance. 6. Once approved, permit is issued and posted at the job site. 7. Schedule required inspections by calling (601) 824-2570 as work progresses. 8. After final inspection is passed, a Certificate of Occupancy or final sign-off is issued. 9. A utility permit and inspection are also required before a change in occupancy in any dwelling or building (ordinance effective October 1, 2013).
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rankin County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (601) 824-2570.
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