City Building Permits

Charleston, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Charleston, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Mississippi Tallahatchie County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Charleston, located in the First Judicial District of Tallahatchie County. Charleston is the county seat for the First Judicial District with a population of approximately 1,884 (2020 Census).

Department
City of Charleston — City Hall
Address
135 Court Square, Charleston, MS 38921
Phone
(662) 647-5841

Application Process

  1. Contact City Hall at (662) 647-5841 or visit in person during business hours.
  2. Obtain a Building Permit Application form from the City Clerk's office.
  3. Complete the application with property address, parcel information, project description, estimated valuation, and owner/contractor details.
  4. Submit the completed application and any required supporting documents (site plan, floor plan for larger projects) in person.
  5. City reviews application for code compliance and zoning conformance.
  6. Applicant is notified of approval or deficiency items.
  7. Upon approval, permit fee is paid and permit is issued.
  8. Inspections are scheduled through City Hall at required construction phases.
  9. Final inspection and occupancy clearance upon project completion.

Typical processing time: Not specified; contact City Hall for current processing timeframe.

General Requirements

New residential or commercial construction, additions, alterations or repairs beyond cosmetic work, demolition or relocation of structures, sign installation or modification, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC installation/upgrades, and any construction in a FEMA-designated flood zone.

Required Documents

  • Completed building permit application
  • Property address and parcel information
  • Project description
  • Estimated valuation
  • Owner and contractor information
  • Site plan (for larger projects)
  • Floor plan (for larger projects)
Permit validity
Not specified; contact City Hall.
Building code
Charleston has not publicly specified the edition of the IBC/IRC adopted. Contact City Hall at (662) 647-5841 to confirm the currently enforced edition. Mississippi municipalities may adopt any of the three most recent editions approved by the Mississippi Building Codes Council; the 2021 IBC/IRC are current state-level reference standards (effective 2024).
Owner-builder
Not specified; contact City Hall.
Contractor requirements
Contractors must hold a valid Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) license if contract value exceeds $50,000 (commercial/new residential) or $10,000 (residential remodeling).

Fees

Payment note
Fee schedule not publicly available online. Fees are typically calculated on estimated project valuation. Contact City Hall at (662) 647-5841 for the current fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Charleston — City Hall to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are coordinated through City Hall. Required stages typically include: Foundation/Footing Inspection (after footing completion, before pouring), Framing Inspection (before drywall installation), Rough-In Inspection (MEP systems before concealment), and Final Inspection (all work complete; occupancy determination).

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Charleston — City Hall before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Charleston, MS?
New residential or commercial construction, additions, alterations or repairs beyond cosmetic work, demolition or relocation of structures, sign installation or modification, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC installation/upgrades, and any construction in a FEMA-designated flood zone.
How do I apply for a building permit in Charleston, MS?
1. Contact City Hall at (662) 647-5841 or visit in person during business hours. 2. Obtain a Building Permit Application form from the City Clerk's office. 3. Complete the application with property address, parcel information, project description, estimated valuation, and owner/contractor details. 4. Submit the completed application and any required supporting documents (site plan, floor plan for larger projects) in person. 5. City reviews application for code compliance and zoning conformance. 6. Applicant is notified of approval or deficiency items. 7. Upon approval, permit fee is paid and permit is issued. 8. Inspections are scheduled through City Hall at required construction phases. 9. Final inspection and occupancy clearance upon project completion.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Charleston, MS?
Typical processing time is Not specified; contact City Hall for current processing timeframe..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Charleston can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Tallahatchie County

Sumner Tutwiler Webb Glendora
View all Tallahatchie County jurisdictions →