Charleston, MS — 2026 Building Permit Guide

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§ 01

Permit authority

City of Charleston — City Hall

Street address

135 Court Square, Charleston, MS 38921

Phone

(662) 647-5841

Coverage

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).

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Charleston

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.

Note: No specific exemptions documented. Contact City Hall to confirm if any work may be exempt from permitting.

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)

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).
Permit validity: Not specified; contact City Hall.
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).

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Contact City Hall at (662) 647-5841 or visit in person during business hours.
02

Obtain a Building Permit Application form from the City Clerk's office.
03

Complete the application with property address, parcel information, project description, estimated valuation, and owner/contractor details.
04

Submit the completed application and any required supporting documents (site plan, floor plan for larger projects) in person.
05

City reviews application for code compliance and zoning conformance.
06

Applicant is notified of approval or deficiency items.
07

Upon approval, permit fee is paid and permit is issued.
08

Inspections are scheduled through City Hall at required construction phases.
09

Final inspection and occupancy clearance upon project completion.

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

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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

Typical 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).

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Charleston permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Charleston, MS? ▸

02 How do I apply for a building permit in Charleston, MS? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Charleston, MS, follow these steps: 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.

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

Building permit processing times in Charleston, MS typically run Not specified; contact City Hall for current processing timeframe.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

last verified April 2026 entry id permits/mississippi/tallahatchie/charleston

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Charleston — City Hall before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Charleston

Other jurisdictions in Tallahatchie County.