Bolthole Index

Forrest County, Mississippi

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi generally requires a building permit for a new home or residential repairs and alterations, with exceptions for certain routine repairs.1 Hattiesburg administers city zoning; Forrest County’s lack of county building-code administration applies outside city limits.23 Private sewage disposal inside Hattiesburg requires city approval as well as the Mississippi State Department of Health wastewater process.45

At a glance

Building permits
Generally required for new homes, repairs and alterations; some routine repairs excepted1
Zoning
City Land Development Code and district rules apply2
New-home fees
$50 plan review; $500 building permit and inspections6
Septic
City written private-sewage permit plus MSDH wastewater process45
Owner-builder
Allowed for most single-family owner-occupied homes, except electrical and gas piping work7
Floodplain
AE-zone residential lowest floor must be elevated 1 foot above base flood elevation8

Who to call

Building permits

Hattiesburg Building Division

Residential building permit applications and construction inspections inside Hattiesburg

601-554-1003

200 Forrest Street

Planning & zoning

Hattiesburg Planning Division

City zoning, site plan review, subdivision review and development questions

601-545-4599

200 Forrest Street

Septic permits

Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater

State on-site wastewater applications, soil and site evaluations, and private well sampling

1-855-220-0192

[email protected]

570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Hattiesburg means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Hattiesburg, MS?

Hattiesburg generally requires a residential building permit to construct a new home or repair or alter an existing home; certain routine repairs may be exempt.1 The Hattiesburg Building Division is the office to ask whether your proposed repair needs a building permit.9 Hattiesburg has adopted the International Residential Code with local amendments, and the amendments control when requirements conflict.10

For a new single-family residence, Hattiesburg lists a $50 plan-review fee and $500 for the building permit and inspections; other projects have a separate fee schedule available from the Building Division.6

Who issues building permits in Hattiesburg?

Contact the Hattiesburg Building Division at 601-554-1003 for residential building permits and to schedule construction inspections.9 Most Hattiesburg building-permit applications require plans and construction documents prepared by a registered architect or design professional and drawn to scale.11 Required documents may include site, floor, elevation, foundation, wall-section, electrical, HVAC and plumbing plans.11

Hattiesburg allows online applications for minor routine repairs, while other building-permit applications should be made in person.11 Permitted residential work must be inspected at all stages before cover-up, so schedule inspections before concealing work.12

Does Hattiesburg have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Hattiesburg administers its Land Development Code and official zoning map, with development governed by district-specific provisions.2 Ask the Hattiesburg Planning Division which district covers the parcel and which lot dimensions, setbacks and uses apply to your proposal.213 We could not confirm a complete district-by-district lot-size or setback answer here; request the applicable standards from the Planning Division before committing to a house layout.13

Hattiesburg reviews subdivision of land through the city Planning Division and its site and design review process.14 Commercial or multi-family residential zoned properties require a pre-application meeting for new development, redevelopment or expansion; after site-plan approval, applicants may submit building-permit applications and construction plans to the Building Division.13

How do septic permits work inside Hattiesburg?

Hattiesburg requires a written private-sewage permit before constructing a private disposal system where public sewer is unavailable, using a city application form and any required plans or specifications.4 The Mississippi State Department of Health also administers the state on-site wastewater application and approval process.5 Contact MSDH for soil and site evaluation, and ask Hattiesburg which city approving authority must sign the private-sewage permit.154

Hattiesburg’s ordinance requires connection after official notice when an occupied property abuts a street, alley or right-of-way containing city public sewer within 100 feet of the property line; the connection deadline is 90 days after notice.16 For a private system, notify the city approving authority for final inspection before covering underground portions.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Hattiesburg?

We could not confirm a complete Hattiesburg rule for living in an RV on private land or for temporary camping; ask the Hattiesburg Planning Division about the proposed use in the parcel’s zoning district.213 We also could not confirm a tiny-home-specific occupancy rule, an accessory-dwelling permission or a minimum dwelling floor area; ask Planning and the Building Division before buying a small dwelling or planning an additional residence.139

A proposed tiny home still needs its building-permit and zoning treatment resolved because Hattiesburg generally requires permits for new residences and applies district-specific development rules.12 For a manufactured home, Mississippi requires installation inspection before occupation, along with necessary local approvals before installation.18

Building a home in Hattiesburg: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm the Hattiesburg zoning district with Planning and ask how the proposed home fits the district’s development standards.213
  2. Resolve public sewer availability or the city private-sewage permit and MSDH wastewater process before designing an on-site system.1645
  3. Prepare the required scaled construction documents and submit the residential building-permit application to the Building Division.11
  4. Arrange construction inspections before work is covered.12

Hattiesburg permits owners to act as contractors for most single-family owner-occupied homes, except electrical and gas piping work; owners assume liability for their projects.7 We could not confirm the residential certificate-of-occupancy requirement inside Hattiesburg; ask the Building Division what final approvals are needed before moving in.9

What should you check before buying land in Hattiesburg?

For Hattiesburg residential construction and substantial improvements in AE flood zones, the lowest floor, including basement, must be elevated 1 foot above base flood elevation.8 Ask city Planning how the parcel’s flood-zone and zoning requirements affect the proposed building site.813 We could not confirm a complete city driveway-access approval rule; ask Planning which review applies to your proposed entrance.13

For land outside Hattiesburg city limits, use the Forrest County guide: the county does not administer building codes or issue certificates of occupancy, but county stormwater, floodplain-development and subdivision ordinances apply.3 Inside Hattiesburg, use the city’s building and zoning answers and the combined city/state private-sewage process.125

Watch-outs

  • Hattiesburg’s private-sewage ordinance lists a $6 permit and inspection fee, but state fees may also apply; ask the city approving authority and MSDH for current charges.4
  • Do not cover underground private-sewage work before notifying Hattiesburg’s approving authority for final inspection.17
  • Hattiesburg owner-builder permission excludes electrical and gas piping work.7

Sources

  1. Residential - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  2. Land Development Code (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  3. Forrest County Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 21 - Sewer ordinance (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 21 - Sewer ordinance (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  6. Residential - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 22-79 - Specific standards for riverine zones (AE zones) (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  9. Hattiesburg Building Division (hattiesburgms.com)
  10. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 10-44 - Adopted (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  11. Residential - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  12. Residential - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  13. Hattiesburg Planning Division (hattiesburgms.com)
  14. Planning Division - Development Information - City of Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  15. Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater (msdh.ms.gov)
  16. Chapter 21 - Sewer ordinance (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 21 - Sewer ordinance (Hattiesburg), quoted and re-checked
  18. MH-5 Uniform Standards Code for Factory-Built Homes Law (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New residences and repairs or alterations to residences inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • Certain routine repairs may not require a permit.
    • Permit applications generally require plans and construction documents.
    “Generally, a permit is required to construct a new residence or to repair or alter any existing residence. Certain routine repairs may not require a permit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Most single-family owner-occupied homes inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The owner may act as own contractor for most single-family owner-occupied homes.
    • The exception is electrical and gas piping work.
    • The owner assumes liability and may have no recourse against builders or subcontractors.
    “you may act as your own contractor for the construction of most single-family owner-occupied homes, with the exception of electrical and gas piping work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The ordinance adopts the listed codes with amendments.
    • If there is a conflict between any code requirement and the adopted amendments, the amendments apply.
    “The following are adopted: (1) 2018 International Residential Code including appendices E, H, Q only, with the following sections amended as noted:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted residential work inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • Permitted work must be inspected at all stages before cover-up.
    • At least 24 hours advance notice is requested.
    • Typical new single-family inspections include building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections; remodel projects may not require all listed inspections.
    “Permitted work must be inspected at all stages prior to cover-up.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Hattiesburg city limits; the City administers its Land Development Code and zoning districts.

    • The Land Development Code states that district-specific provisions govern development.
    • An official zoning map is part of the Code.
    “The process whereby the planning department shall review the site plans and maps of the developer to assure that they meet the stated purposes and standards of the zoning district, provide for the necessary public facilities, and protect and preserve topographical features and adjacent properties through appropriate siting of structures and landscaping.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The City regulates private sewage disposal and identifies an approving authority in its sewer ordinance.
    • Mississippi State Department of Health administers the statewide on-site wastewater application and approval process.
    • Additional requirements may be imposed by the health officer.
    “The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City of Hattiesburg, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information as is deemed necessary by the approving authority.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Hattiesburg city limits where public sewer is unavailable under Sec. 21-22(D).

    • A written permit must be obtained before construction.
    • The permit application is made on a City of Hattiesburg form and may require plans, specifications, and other information.
    • The city ordinance states a $6.00 permit and inspection fee; current state fees may also apply.
    • The system must comply with applicable Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission or Mississippi State Board of Health recommendations.

    permit and inspection fee: 6 USD (City ordinance amount; current state fees may also apply)

    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the approving authority.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The approving authority may inspect at any stage.
    • The permit holder must notify the approving authority for final inspection before underground portions are covered.
    • Inspection must be made within 24 hours after notice under the city ordinance.

    inspection response time: 24 hours (After receipt of notice of readiness for final inspection)

    “the applicant for the permit shall notify the approving authority when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • Connection is required after official notice.
    • The property must abut a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a City public sanitary or combined sewer.
    • The public sewer must be within 100 feet of the property line.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days after official notice.
    • If public sewer is unavailable, private sewage disposal complying with Sec. 21-23 applies.

    public sewer distance: <= 100 feet (From the property line) · connection deadline: 90 days (After official notice)

    “Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of sec. 21-22 (D) the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The Planning Division lists subdivision of land as a development-review category.
    • The Land Development Code assigns the Site and Design Review Committee responsibility for preliminary plats for minor subdivisions and recommendations for major and final subdivision plats.
    “The goals of this meeting are to e mphasize the applicable development regulations for: Site Plan Review; Clearing and Grading; Building in a Historic District; Building in a Flood Zone; Subdivision of Land;”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    New construction, substantial improvements, and other development in Hattiesburg special flood hazard areas.

    • In AE zones, residential buildings including manufactured homes must have the lowest floor elevated one foot above base flood elevation.
    • In AE zones without floodways, encroachments require registered professional engineer certification showing no more than one foot cumulative base-flood rise.
    • Where base flood and floodway data are unavailable, development must meet community-established elevations and stream-bank setback requirements.
    • Manufactured homes in special flood hazard areas must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.

    residential elevation above BFE: 1 foot · stream-bank distance: five times stream width or 20 feet each side, whichever is greater (Unless registered professional engineer certification demonstrates no increase in flood levels)

    “New construction and substantial improvement of any residential building (including manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rental dwelling units inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • A privilege tax license, certificate of zoning compliance, and occupancy limit are required for each unit.
    • The permit application requires specified property, management, insurance, mortgage/deed, zoning, code, tax, parking, trash, and rental-agreement information.
    • The application fee is $25 and approved licensing fee is $130, subject to the most recent city-council fee.
    • Residential permits may not exceed 2.5% of total residential structures in the city.
    • Permits expire one year after issuance and are not transferable.

    residential permit capacity: <= 2.5 percent of residential structures (At any given time) · application fee: 25 USD (Non-refundable) · approved license fee: 130 USD (Most recent city-council fee takes precedence) · permit term: 1 year (From issuance)

    “A privilege tax license, certificate of zoning compliance, and occupancy limit are required for each short-term lodging rental unit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    New single-family residential construction inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • The City states other project fees should be obtained from the Permit Fee Ordinance or by calling the Building Division.
    • The listed amount is for a new single-family residence.

    plan review fee: 50 USD · permit and inspections fee: 500 USD

    “For a new, single-family residence: Plan Review: $50 Permit & Inspections: $500”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permit applications inside Hattiesburg city limits.

    • Most applications require plans and construction documents.
    • Plans should be prepared by a registered architect or design professional and drawn to scale.
    • Minor routine repair applications may be submitted online; other applications should be made in person.
    • Required documents may include site, floor, elevation, foundation, wall-section, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing plans.
    “Most permit applications require plans and construction documents to support the permit application.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Hattiesburg city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwelling size inside Hattiesburg city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Hattiesburg city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Hattiesburg city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Hattiesburg city limits.
1 more unanswered
  • Driveway access

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Hattiesburg publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Forrest County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Forrest County: county rules, score and offices