Tallahatchie County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Tallahatchie County. The county is divided into two judicial districts: First District (Charleston side) and Second District (Sumner side). Applicants must contact the office covering their geographic area.

Department

Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors, Chancery Clerk's Office

Address

150 Court Square, Charleston, MS 38921; or 100 Court Street, Sumner, MS 38957

Phone

(662) 647-5551 (Charleston); (662) 375-8731 (Sumner)

Email

anitagwood@bellsouth.net

Application Process

1. Contact the Chancery Clerk's office in Charleston (662-647-5551) or Sumner (662-375-8731) to obtain a building permit application form.
2. Complete the application with full project description, property location (parcel ID or legal description), estimated project value, and owner/contractor information.
3. Submit the application in person at the appropriate district courthouse office.
4. The Board of Supervisors or its designated agent reviews the application.
5. Applicant is notified of approval or required corrections.
6. Permit fee is collected and permit is issued upon approval.
7. Inspections (if required by the county) are scheduled and conducted.

Typical processing time: Variable; direct phone contact is essential to confirm timeline before beginning any project.

General Requirements

Mississippi Code § 19-5-9 requires permitting for all construction in unincorporated areas, including new construction, additions, substantial alterations, demolition, relocation, and any construction within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Property location information (parcel ID or legal description)
• Project description
• Estimated project value
• Owner and contractor information

Permit validity

Not specified; confirm with Chancery Clerk.

Building code

Tallahatchie County has not publicly adopted the International Building Code (IBC) or International Residential Code (IRC) for unincorporated areas. Confirm current adoption status with the Board of Supervisors.

Owner-builder

Not specified; confirm with Chancery Clerk.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) license if contract value exceeds $50,000 (commercial) or $10,000 (residential remodeling).

Fees

Payment note

No publicly available fee schedule. Contact the Chancery Clerk's office directly at (662) 647-5551 (Charleston) or (662) 375-8731 (Sumner) to obtain current permit fees.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Farm buildings and farm structures in unincorporated areas are exempt from adopted building code requirements (Mississippi Code § 17-2-7); however, this exemption does not eliminate obligations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for properties in designated flood zones.

Important: Agricultural exemption applies only to farm structures. Confirm applicability for your specific project with the Chancery Clerk.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: No formal county inspection program identified for unincorporated Tallahatchie County. If inspections are required by Board permit conditions, coordinate with the Chancery Clerk's office. For projects in floodplain areas, the county Floodplain Administrator must inspect and certify compliance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Tallahatchie County has not publicly adopted the International Building Code (IBC) or International Residential Code (IRC) for unincorporated areas. Confirm current adoption status with the Board of Supervisors.
• Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors License Lookup
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• MDEQ Risk MAP — Tallahatchie County Flood Maps
• MDEQ Construction Stormwater Permits (1+ acres disturbance)
• MSDH On-Site Wastewater (Septic) Permits
• Mississippi State Fire Marshal — Building Plan Review
• License lookup guide: Mississippi Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Mississippi Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Mississippi hub: Mississippi Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahatchie County Building Permit FAQ

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

Mississippi Code § 19-5-9 requires permitting for all construction in unincorporated areas, including new construction, additions, substantial alterations, demolition, relocation, and any construction within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area.

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

1. Contact the Chancery Clerk's office in Charleston (662-647-5551) or Sumner (662-375-8731) to obtain a building permit application form. 2. Complete the application with full project description, property location (parcel ID or legal description), estimated project value, and owner/contractor information. 3. Submit the application in person at the appropriate district courthouse office. 4. The Board of Supervisors or its designated agent reviews the application. 5. Applicant is notified of approval or required corrections. 6. Permit fee is collected and permit is issued upon approval. 7. Inspections (if required by the county) are scheduled and conducted.

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

Typical processing time is Variable; direct phone contact is essential to confirm timeline before beginning any project..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings and farm structures in unincorporated areas are exempt from adopted building code requirements (Mississippi Code § 17-2-7); however, this exemption does not eliminate obligations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for properties in designated flood zones.. Note: Agricultural exemption applies only to farm structures. Confirm applicability for your specific project with the Chancery Clerk.