Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Hazlehurst, Mississippi

Hazlehurst’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Hazlehurst city limits; the ordinance creates the Hazlehurst Heritage District shown on the City's Official Zoning Map.

  • This evidence directly establishes the Hazlehurst Heritage District; it does not establish the current text or boundaries of every other city zoning district.

  “In accordance with the adopted Goals and Objectives Element of a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Hazlehurst, a "Hazlehurst Heritage District" ("HHD") is hereby created to promote this area, as delineated on the Official Zoning Map, as a major focal point of community life in Hazlehurst.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Hazlehurst city limits; the published ordinance excerpt identifies the Hazlehurst Heritage District and its Downtown Subdistrict.

  • This is not a complete inventory of all City zoning districts.

  “Within the Hazlehurst Heritage District there is hereby created a "subdistrict", to be known as the "Downtown Subdistrict".”

Rules another office applies inside Hazlehurst

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

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family detached residences in the Hazlehurst Heritage District outside the Downtown Subdistrict.

  • Independent commercial uses have no minimum lot area under this section.

  minimum lot area: 11200 square feet (single-family detached residences)

  “1505.02 Minimum Lot Area: (a) Single-family detached residences: 11,200 square feet (same as R-l districts).”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Single-family detached residences in the Hazlehurst Heritage District outside the Downtown Subdistrict.

  front yard: 30 feet (measured from street right-of-way line to building setback line) · side yard: 8 feet (all single-family detached residences) · rear yard: 25 feet (all single-family detached residences)

  “1505.04 Minimum Yards: (a) Front yard: 30 feet from the street right-of-way line to the building setback line. (Same as R-l). (b) Side yards for all single-family detached residences: 8 feet (same as R-l). (c) Rear yard for all single-family detached residences: 25 feet (same as R-l).”

• Building heightSpecified

  All uses in the Hazlehurst Heritage District outside the Downtown Subdistrict, including single-family residential uses.

  • A greater height may be approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

  maximum building height: 35 feet (unless greater height is approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen)

  “1505.01 Maximum Building Height: 35 feet, unless greater height is approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.”

• Manufactured homesProhibited

  Manufactured homes within the Downtown Subdistrict of the Hazlehurst Heritage District.

  • The prohibition applies regardless of zoning classification within the Downtown Subdistrict.

  “Within the Downtown Subdistrict the land uses that are not permitted, regardless of zoning classification, are as follows: Bail Bonds, Check Cashing/Cash for Titles, Game Room/Pool Hall, Pawn Shop, Used Car Lot, Cell or Radio Towers, Tattoo Parlor, Massage Parlor, Bar, Nightclub, Adult Entertainment Business, Manufactured Homes, Dance Hall, Teen Centers, Amusement Park, or any Recreation Facility other than City Parks.”

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems, including systems serving property inside Hazlehurst city limits.

  • This claim concerns an on-site system rather than connection to a central sewer system.

  “If public sewer is not available in your area, you will have to apply to us for the proper paperwork.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system serving property inside Hazlehurst city limits.

  • The rule concerns systems for which a septic system is installed; availability of central sewer may change the applicable disposal option.

  “The Permit is required for a water meter and the installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New individual on-site wastewater disposal systems serving property inside Hazlehurst city limits.

  • The installer must contact the Department 24 hours before construction to schedule the inspection.

  advance notice to schedule inspection: >= 24 hours

  “The Certified Installer is responsible for contacting the Department 24 hours BEFORE beginning construction to schedule an inspection.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Wastewater disposal for residences inside Hazlehurst city limits that are not connected to central sewer.

  • Wastewater must be piped to central sewer or a septic system; discharge on the ground, ditches, or bodies of water is not allowed.

  “All wastewater is required to pipe into a central sewer system or a septic system for proper disposal. No “gray water” can be discharged on the ground, ditches, or bodies of water.”

• Permit processPartial

  Development of any use in the Hazlehurst Heritage District or Downtown Subdistrict.

  • The developer must submit the site plan to the Planning/Zoning Commission in accordance with Sections 2507 through 2510 of the ordinance.

  “The developer of any use in Hazlehurst Heritage District or the Downtown Subdistrict shall submit a site plan to the Planning/Zoning Commission in accordance with Sections 2507 through 2510 of this Ordinance.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Hazlehurst or Copiah County directly.

• Building permit — New residential construction within Hazlehurst city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences within Hazlehurst city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building construction within Hazlehurst city limits.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction within Hazlehurst city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy within Hazlehurst city 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.