Scott County, MS — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Scott County Community Development Department

Street address

100 East Main Street, 1st Floor, Courthouse, Forest, MS 39074

Phone

(601) 742-1997

cd@scottcountyms.gov

Coverage

All unincorporated areas of Scott County.

Online portal

Scott County Website

Manual Submission

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Scott County

Building permits may be required for certain projects in unincorporated Scott County; contact the Community Development Department to determine applicability. Scott County currently operates without an active countywide building code (adopted ordinances were repealed December 1, 2025).

Scope of work

Permit?

Agricultural/farm structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on farms (per MS Code § 17-2-7; verify applicability with Community Development Department).

Exempt

Exempt Agricultural/farm structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on farms (per MS Code § 17-2-7; verify applicability with Community Development Department).

Note: Exemption from county building permit requirements does not mean exemption from state requirements (MSDH, MDEQ, MSBOC, State Fire Marshal). Contact the Community Development Department before proceeding.

Required documents

Permit application
Site plan
Project description
Contractor license/registration information

Building code: No countywide building code currently in effect (ordinances adopted November 21, 2025 were repealed December 1, 2025). Mandatory statewide residential building code does not exist in Mississippi (MS Code § 17-2-4).
Permit validity: Contact department for permit validity period.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders must comply with all applicable state and federal requirements.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold a valid MSBOC license for projects $50,000 or more (residential or commercial). Contractors must hold an MSBOC license for residential remodeling/roofing over $10,000. All permits must include contractor's MSBOC certificate of responsibility number and material purchase certificate number or TIN per MS Code § 19-5-11.

Source: Scott County Community Development Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; contact department for project-specific timeline.

01

Contact the Scott County Community Development Department at (601) 742-1997 or cd@scottcountyms.gov to determine whether a permit is required for your specific project in unincorporated Scott County.
02

For any project where a permit is issued, submit the application in person at the County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074.
03

For projects exceeding $50,000, the contractor must hold a valid MSBOC license.
04

The permit must include the contractor's MSBOC certificate of responsibility number and material purchase certificate number or TIN.
05

For septic/onsite wastewater systems, a separate MSDH permit is required regardless of county requirements.
06

For projects disturbing 1+ acres, a separate MDEQ NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit is required.

Typical processing time: Varies; contact department for project-specific timeline.

Source: Scott County Community Development Department ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(601) 742-1997 (phone)
cd@scottcountyms.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline: Contact department for scheduling procedures.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: No formal county building inspection program exists. Projects may require inspections by state agencies: MSDH (septic), MDEQ (stormwater/erosion control), State Fire Marshal (commercial/public buildings), and electrical inspections by local utility provider.

Source: Scott County Community Development Department ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Scott County permits

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

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

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, MS, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Scott County Community Development Department at (601) 742-1997 or cd@scottcountyms.gov to determine whether a permit is required for your specific project in unincorporated Scott County. 2. For any project where a permit is issued, submit the application in person at the County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street, Forest, MS 39074. 3. For projects exceeding $50,000, the contractor must hold a valid MSBOC license. 4. The permit must include the contractor's MSBOC certificate of responsibility number and material purchase certificate number or TIN. 5. For septic/onsite wastewater systems, a separate MSDH permit is required regardless of county requirements. 6. For projects disturbing 1+ acres, a separate MDEQ NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit is required.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Scott County, MS typically run Varies; contact department for project-specific timeline.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Scott County, MS. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural/farm structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes on farms (per MS Code § 17-2-7; verify applicability with Community Development Department).. Note: Exemption from county building permit requirements does not mean exemption from state requirements (MSDH, MDEQ, MSBOC, State Fire Marshal). Contact the Community Development Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Scott County, MS via: (601) 742-1997, cd@scottcountyms.gov. Contact department for scheduling procedures..

last verified April 2026 source Scott County Community Development Department ↗ entry id permits/mississippi/scott/unincorporated

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Scott County Community Development Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Scott County