County Building Permits
Winston County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, Mississippi. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas within Winston County, Mississippi.
- Department
- Winston County Board of Supervisors
- Address
- P.O. Box 69, Louisville, MS 39339
- Phone
- (662) 773-7170
- Website
- https://www.winstoncountyms.org/
Application Process
- Contact the Winston County Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 or the Chancery Clerk at (662) 773-3631.
- Obtain permit application form from the county office.
- Complete application with project description, site information, and building plans.
- Submit completed application with required documentation.
- Pay applicable permit fees.
- Receive permit approval before beginning construction.
- Schedule any required inspections.
Typical processing time: Processing timeline not documented; contact the Board of Supervisors for current procedures.
General Requirements
Under Mississippi Code § 17-2-1, every county must require permitting as a condition to construction within unincorporated areas. Building permits are mandatory for new residential and commercial construction, additions, structural renovations, demolition, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) work.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Project description and site information
- Building plans
- Permit validity
- Contact the Board of Supervisors for permit validity and expiration policies.
- Building code
- Winston County has not adopted a comprehensive countywide building code. Contact the Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 to confirm current code adoption status.
- Contractor requirements
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work must be performed by state-licensed contractors (Mississippi State Board of Contractors).
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact the Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 for current permit fee amounts.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Winston County Board of Supervisors to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (662) 773-3631 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Specific inspection requirements and stages are not documented in available online sources.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Winston County has not adopted a comprehensive countywide building code. Contact the Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 to confirm current code adoption status.
- Verify contractor license: Mississippi State Board of Contractors
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- MS-DEQ Floodplain Maps
- MDEQ Environmental Permits (Stormwater)
- MSDH On-Site Wastewater Program
- 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 Winston County Board of Supervisors before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Winston County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS?
- Under Mississippi Code § 17-2-1, every county must require permitting as a condition to construction within unincorporated areas. Building permits are mandatory for new residential and commercial construction, additions, structural renovations, demolition, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) work.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS?
- 1. Contact the Winston County Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 or the Chancery Clerk at (662) 773-3631. 2. Obtain permit application form from the county office. 3. Complete application with project description, site information, and building plans. 4. Submit completed application with required documentation. 5. Pay applicable permit fees. 6. Receive permit approval before beginning construction. 7. Schedule any required inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS?
- Typical processing time is Processing timeline not documented; contact the Board of Supervisors for current procedures..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Winston County, MS?
- The following work is generally exempt: Farm structures are exempt from building code provisions under Mississippi Code § 17-2-7, though the county may require an affidavit of agricultural use.; Floodplain management ordinances are NOT exempt from agricultural exemptions and apply retroactively to structures constructed after May 22, 2012.. Note: Contact the Board of Supervisors to confirm exemption status for your specific project.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Winston County, MS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (662) 773-3631.
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