Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Snow Lake Shores, Mississippi

Town of Snow Lake Shores’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Any new construction project inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

  • Before construction starts, the property owner must submit site plans, foundation plans, and floor plans to the Mayor's office.
  • The owner must contact the Mississippi health department concerning the septic system before a permit is issued.

  “Before any construction can start on any new project, the property owner shall submit to the Mayors office the following requirements:”

• InspectionsRequired

  New construction projects inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

  • The applicant must call for inspections when the building is staked and corners set; when footings and reinforcing are ready to pour; when conventional-foundation floor framing is complete; and when framing and electrical are ready to be covered.
  • The utility company will inspect electrical and plumbing; the owner must call it and notify the town.
  • Electrical work also requires rough-in and final inspections.

  “In addition to, the applicant MUST call for an inspection at the following stages of construction:”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  New house construction inside Snow Lake Shores town limits; the posted ordinance does not identify a zoning district.

  • The stated minimum is for new construction of a house.
  • The ordinance specifies heated and cooled square footage.

  minimum house area: >= 1000 square feet (Heated and cooled area; applies to new construction of a house.)

  “Any new construction of a house must be a minimum of 1000 square ft. ( heated & cooled)”

• SetbacksSpecified

  New construction, additions, outbuildings, and garages inside Snow Lake Shores town limits; the ordinance does not identify a zoning district.

  • The posted building-line rule names new construction, additions, outbuildings, garages, and other structures.
  • Separate distance measurements apply to property lines, roads, and the lake.

  property-line setback: >= 10 feet · road setback: >= 30 feet · lake setback: >= 30 feet

  “All new construction, additions, outbuilding, garage and other shall be erected NO closer than 10’ from property lines. 30’ from the roads, 30’ from the lake.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New construction permit applications inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

  • Submit site plans, foundation plans, and floor plans to the Mayor's office before construction begins.
  • Contact the Mississippi health department regarding septic service before a town permit will be issued.
  • Call for the stated construction-stage inspections.

  “Before any construction can start on any new project, the property owner shall submit to the Mayors office the following requirements:”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Snow Lake Shores

Town of Snow Lake Shores does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  Individual on-site wastewater systems serving land inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

  • The town requires an applicant to contact the Mississippi health department regarding septic service before a town construction permit is issued.
  • For installation inspections, the state regulation directs scheduling with the appropriate county department of health.

  “Contact Mississippi health department for septic system before any permit will be issued.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A permanent water-utility connection for property inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

  • A permanent sewage-disposal solution must be available before the water utility may make a connection.
  • The solution may be a sewer line or septic system.
  • If public sewer is unavailable, the applicant must apply to MSDH for the appropriate paperwork.

  “State law requires you have permanent sewage disposal solution available to receive a permanent water meter. Permanent sewage disposal solutions can be a sewer line or septic system. You must have a sewer option before a water utility can make a connection to your property.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Snow Lake Shores or Benton County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.
• Zoning districts — Land inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside Snow Lake Shores town limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.