Winston County, MS — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Winston County Board of Supervisors

Street address

P.O. Box 69, Louisville, MS 39339

Phone

(662) 773-7170

Coverage

All unincorporated areas within Winston County, Mississippi.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Winston County

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.

Scope of work

Permit?

Farm structures are exempt from building code provisions under Mississippi Code § 17-2-7, though the county may require an affidavit of agricultural use.

Exempt

Floodplain management ordinances are NOT exempt from agricultural exemptions and apply retroactively to structures constructed after May 22, 2012.

Exempt

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.
Exempt 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.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Project description and site information
Building plans

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.
Permit validity: Contact the Board of Supervisors for permit validity and expiration policies.
Contractor requirements: Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work must be performed by state-licensed contractors (Mississippi State Board of Contractors).

Source: Winston County Board of Supervisors ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing timeline not documented; contact the Board of Supervisors for current procedures.

01

Contact the Winston County Board of Supervisors at (662) 773-7170 or the Chancery Clerk at (662) 773-3631.
02

Obtain permit application form from the county office.
03

Complete application with project description, site information, and building plans.
04

Submit completed application with required documentation.
05

Pay applicable permit fees.
06

Receive permit approval before beginning construction.
07

Schedule any required inspections.

Typical processing time: Processing timeline not documented; contact the Board of Supervisors for current procedures.

Source: Winston County Board of Supervisors ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(662) 773-3631 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Specific inspection requirements and stages are not documented in available online sources.

Source: Winston County Board of Supervisors ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Winston County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS? ▸

02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winston County, MS, follow these steps: 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.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Winston County, MS typically run Processing timeline not documented; contact the Board of Supervisors for current procedures.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Winston County, MS? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Winston County, MS? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Winston County, MS via: (662) 773-3631.

last verified April 2026 source Winston County Board of Supervisors ↗ entry id permits/mississippi/winston/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Winston County Board of Supervisors before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Winston County