County Building Permits
Simpson County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Simpson County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated portions of Simpson County. Incorporated municipalities (Mendenhall, Magee, D'Lo, Braxton, Mount Olive) administer their own permits independently.
- Department
- Office of Community Development
- Address
- 111 West Pine Avenue, P.O. Box 367, Mendenhall, MS 39114
- Phone
- (601) 675-2366
Application Process
- Obtain a 911 address printout from the Simpson County 911 Department.
- Obtain a Solid Waste Management account number from the appropriate county office.
- Obtain a Soil and Site Evaluation form from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for any project requiring an onsite wastewater system.
- If applicable, obtain a Water Service Application from the relevant water provider.
- Prepare a property deed or legal description.
- Prepare three complete sets of detailed plans, including: site plan, foundation drawings, electrical layout, plumbing layout, mechanical/HVAC details, and elevation drawings.
- Submit all documents plus the completed permit application in person at the Office of Community Development.
- Contractors must register annually with the Office of Community Development and pay the $50 annual fee.
- Receive county building inspector approval before occupancy.
- A Mississippi State Fire Marshal inspection and decal is required before permanent power will be supplied to any new structure.
Typical processing time: Contact office directly at (601) 675-2366 for processing time estimates.
Source: Office of Community Development
General Requirements
All new residential and commercial buildings or remodeling projects in unincorporated Simpson County. Permits are also required for HVAC installers, electricians, and plumbers operating in the county. Manufactured/mobile homes placed in unincorporated areas require a separate factory-built home permit.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- 911 address printout from county 911 department
- Solid Waste Management account number
- MSDH Soil and Site Evaluation form (if septic system required)
- Water Service Application (if applicable)
- Property deed or legal description
- Three complete sets of plans (site plan, foundation, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, elevations)
- MSBOC contractor license (for residential projects over $50,000 or remodeling over $10,000; for commercial projects over $50,000)
- $5,000 performance bond per contractor
- Proof of general liability insurance ($300,000 minimum per occurrence)
- Permit validity
- Contact Office of Community Development for specific permit validity and expiration details.
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), effective with the January 6, 2025 ordinance.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder rules not published; contact office directly at (601) 675-2366.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must register annually with the Office of Community Development and pay a $50 annual registration fee. Must provide a $5,000 performance bond and proof of general liability insurance ($300,000 minimum per occurrence). MSBOC license required for applicable thresholds.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Not published as of March 2026; contact Office of Community Development at (601) 675-2366 for current fee schedule.
- Reinspection fee
- $150 per occurrence when inspection cannot be completed due to contractor non-compliance
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) 675-2366 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact office directly.
- Inspection hours
- Contact Office of Community Development for hours.
Typical inspection sequence: All new structures require inspection by the County Building Inspector prior to occupancy. A Mississippi State Fire Marshal inspection is required for all new structures before permanent power is supplied; a decal must be affixed to the home/structure. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical work: individual trade permits are required; inspections are conducted by the county building inspector or designee.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), effective with the January 6, 2025 ordinance.
- Verify contractor license: MSBOC License Lookup
- Mississippi State Fire Marshal
- Mississippi State Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater
- 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
Simpson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Simpson County, MS?
- All new residential and commercial buildings or remodeling projects in unincorporated Simpson County. Permits are also required for HVAC installers, electricians, and plumbers operating in the county. Manufactured/mobile homes placed in unincorporated areas require a separate factory-built home permit.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Simpson County, MS?
- Fees are calculated as: Not published as of March 2026; contact Office of Community Development at (601) 675-2366 for current fee schedule..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Simpson County, MS?
- 1. Obtain a 911 address printout from the Simpson County 911 Department. 2. Obtain a Solid Waste Management account number from the appropriate county office. 3. Obtain a Soil and Site Evaluation form from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for any project requiring an onsite wastewater system. 4. If applicable, obtain a Water Service Application from the relevant water provider. 5. Prepare a property deed or legal description. 6. Prepare three complete sets of detailed plans, including: site plan, foundation drawings, electrical layout, plumbing layout, mechanical/HVAC details, and elevation drawings. 7. Submit all documents plus the completed permit application in person at the Office of Community Development. 8. Contractors must register annually with the Office of Community Development and pay the $50 annual fee. 9. Receive county building inspector approval before occupancy. 10. A Mississippi State Fire Marshal inspection and decal is required before permanent power will be supplied to any new structure.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Simpson County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Contact office directly at (601) 675-2366 for processing time estimates..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Simpson County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (601) 675-2366. Contact office directly..
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