County Building Permits
Washington County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Washington County, including unincorporated communities such as Avon, Glen Allan, and Stoneville.
- Department
- Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department
- Address
- 910 Courthouse Lane, Greenville, MS 38702
- Phone
- 662-334-2647
- Website
- https://washingtoncounty.ms
Application Process
- Contact the Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department at 662-334-2647 or visit the county courthouse to initiate the application.
- Provide contractor's material purchase certificate number or Taxpayer Identification Number.
- Provide contractor's license or certificate of responsibility number (MSBOC) if applicable.
- Provide site/project description and location details.
- Contact Roy Johnson (Planning Inspector) at 662-334-2647 or 662-820-8142 (cell) to coordinate permit processing.
- Complete application and submit required documents.
- Pay applicable permit fees.
- Upon approval, post permit on-site during construction.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact the Planning Department for estimates on your specific project.
General Requirements
A permit is required for all new construction and significant alterations in unincorporated Washington County under Mississippi state law (Miss. Code Ann. § 19-5-91).
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site/project description and location
- Contractor's material purchase certificate number or Taxpayer Identification Number
- Contractor's license or certificate of responsibility number (MSBOC) for applicable projects
- Permit validity
- Contact the Planning Department for permit validity terms.
- Building code
- Mississippi Building Codes Council has adopted the 2021 IBC/IRC as reference codes; Washington County's specific adoption status should be confirmed with the Planning Department.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with state permitting requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- MSBOC license required for commercial projects over $50,000 and residential new construction over $50,000.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact the Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department at 662-334-2647 for current fee schedule. Fees are not published online.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Roy Johnson, Planning Inspector: 662-334-2647 or 662-820-8142 (cell) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact Planning Department to schedule.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: The Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department handles inspection coordination, including right-of-way permits, floodplain administration, and development review.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Mississippi Building Codes Council has adopted the 2021 IBC/IRC as reference codes; Washington County's specific adoption status should be confirmed with the Planning Department.
- Verify contractor license: MSBOC License Lookup
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- 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 Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, MS?
- A permit is required for all new construction and significant alterations in unincorporated Washington County under Mississippi state law (Miss. Code Ann. § 19-5-91).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, MS?
- 1. Contact the Planning, Zoning & Engineering Department at 662-334-2647 or visit the county courthouse to initiate the application. 2. Provide contractor's material purchase certificate number or Taxpayer Identification Number. 3. Provide contractor's license or certificate of responsibility number (MSBOC) if applicable. 4. Provide site/project description and location details. 5. Contact Roy Johnson (Planning Inspector) at 662-334-2647 or 662-820-8142 (cell) to coordinate permit processing. 6. Complete application and submit required documents. 7. Pay applicable permit fees. 8. Upon approval, post permit on-site during construction.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Processing time varies; contact the Planning Department for estimates on your specific project..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, MS?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures may be exempt; confirm with county Planning Department. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from floodplain or other regulatory requirements. Washington County is deeply embedded in the Mississippi Delta floodplain; verify flood zone status before breaking ground.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Roy Johnson, Planning Inspector: 662-334-2647 or 662-820-8142 (cell). Contact Planning Department to schedule..
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