Stone County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Stone County, excluding areas within the City of Wiggins.

Department

Stone County Planning & Building Department

Address

311 Court Street, Suite C, Wiggins, MS 39577

Phone

601-928-2810

Email

build@stonecountyms.gov

Website

https://www.stonecountyms.gov/planning-building-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download or obtain a permit application packet from the Planning & Building Department (in-person, by mail, or from the county website).
2. Complete the application with owner information, property description, project scope, and construction details.
3. Prepare supporting documentation: site plan or survey showing setbacks and structure location; construction drawings (required for commercial, encouraged for residential); E-911 address application if a new address is needed; contractor MSBOC license number if applicable.
4. Submit completed application in-person at 311 Court Street, Suite C, Wiggins, MS 39577.
5. Pay permit fee based on construction valuation (residential: $75/sq ft heated, $30/sq ft unheated; commercial: based on contract amount).
6. Permit is issued; post permit on job site before work begins.
7. Schedule required inspections by contacting the Building Department at 601-928-2810.
8. Pass all required inspections (foundation/footing, framing, rough MEP, insulation, final).
9. Request final inspection upon project completion.
10. Receive Certificate of Occupancy (issued only for permits issued after 2008).

Typical processing time: Processing time not publicly specified; contact the Planning & Building Department for current timelines.

Source: Stone County Planning & Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all structures exceeding 200 square feet in unincorporated Stone County. Structures 200 sq ft or less do not require a permit.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Site plan or property survey showing setbacks and structure location
• Construction drawings or plans (required for commercial; encouraged for residential)
• E-911 address application if a new address is needed
• Contractor license number if applicable (MSBOC license required for projects $50,000+)

Permit validity

Not publicly specified; contact the Planning & Building Department.

Building code

2003 International Building Code (IBC) and 2003 International Residential Code (IRC)

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may submit applications; contractor license requirements apply to commercial projects and residential projects over $50,000 (MSBOC statewide requirement).

Contractor requirements

MSBOC license required for residential construction over $50,000 and all commercial construction over $50,000.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: residential heated structures at $75/sq ft, residential unheated structures at $30/sq ft, commercial at contract amount. Exact percentage applied to valuation not published; contact department.

Penalty (no permit)

Double the permit fee if construction begins before a permit is obtained

Payment note

Payment due upon permit application submission.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2020).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Structures 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit

Important: Confirm with the Planning & Building Department before proceeding with exempt work. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning or other regulatory requirements. Stone County has no zoning ordinances for unincorporated areas, but development is governed by the building code, subdivision regulations, and flood damage prevention ordinance.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 601-928-2810 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Not publicly specified; contact the Planning & Building Department.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch)

Time windows

Not publicly specified.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for residential: foundation/footing, framing, rough MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), insulation, final. Commercial projects may require additional inspections including fire-rated assemblies and egress compliance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2003 International Building Code (IBC) and 2003 International Residential Code (IRC)
• Verify contractor license: MSBOC Contractor License Search
• Stone County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
• Stone County 2019 Subdivision Regulations
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• License lookup guide: Mississippi Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Mississippi Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Mississippi hub: Mississippi Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Stone County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stone County, MS?

A building permit is required for all structures exceeding 200 square feet in unincorporated Stone County. Structures 200 sq ft or less do not require a permit.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stone County, MS?

Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: residential heated structures at $75/sq ft, residential unheated structures at $30/sq ft, commercial at contract amount. Exact percentage applied to valuation not published; contact department..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stone County, MS?

1. Download or obtain a permit application packet from the Planning & Building Department (in-person, by mail, or from the county website). 2. Complete the application with owner information, property description, project scope, and construction details. 3. Prepare supporting documentation: site plan or survey showing setbacks and structure location; construction drawings (required for commercial, encouraged for residential); E-911 address application if a new address is needed; contractor MSBOC license number if applicable. 4. Submit completed application in-person at 311 Court Street, Suite C, Wiggins, MS 39577. 5. Pay permit fee based on construction valuation (residential: $75/sq ft heated, $30/sq ft unheated; commercial: based on contract amount). 6. Permit is issued; post permit on job site before work begins. 7. Schedule required inspections by contacting the Building Department at 601-928-2810. 8. Pass all required inspections (foundation/footing, framing, rough MEP, insulation, final). 9. Request final inspection upon project completion. 10. Receive Certificate of Occupancy (issued only for permits issued after 2008).

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

Typical processing time is Processing time not publicly specified; contact the Planning & Building Department for current timelines..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stone County, MS?

The following work is generally exempt: Structures 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. Note: Confirm with the Planning & Building Department before proceeding with exempt work. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning or other regulatory requirements. Stone County has no zoning ordinances for unincorporated areas, but development is governed by the building code, subdivision regulations, and flood damage prevention ordinance.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stone County, MS?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 601-928-2810. Not publicly specified; contact the Planning & Building Department..