Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Tchula, Mississippi

Rules another office applies inside Town of Tchula

Town of Tchula 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)

  On-site wastewater systems serving property inside Tchula town limits.

  • Applies when an on-site wastewater disposal system is used rather than central sewer service.

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

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system inside Tchula town limits.

  • The permit is required for a water meter and for installation of the on-site system.

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

• Septic inspectionLimited

  New on-site wastewater systems inside Tchula town limits.

  • The exemption application is exclusively for new single-family residences installing a septic system for the first time.
  • It may be used for the first residence on a single parcel of at least two acres or the second residence on a single parcel of at least five acres.
  • The exemption does not include a Department installation inspection; the Department recommends Final Approval.

  first-residence parcel size for exemption: >= 2 acres (single tract; new single-family residence installing a septic system for the first time) · second-residence parcel size for exemption: >= 5 acres (single tract; new single-family residence installing a septic system for the first time)

  “The exemption application is exclusively for new, single-family residences installing a septic system for the first time. Any property that is commercial or replacing an existing system are not eligible. It may be applied for the first residence on a parcel of land of two (2) or more acres or second residence on a parcel of land of five (5) or more acres. There are two differences between the exemption and the regular application. The first difference is the exemption is nearly half the cost of a regular application. The second difference means we do not go out to approve the installation, which is why the application costs less.”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  Disposal of household gray water or other wastewater from property inside Tchula town limits.

  • All wastewater must be routed to a central sewer system or septic system for proper disposal.

  “Mississippi does not recognize gray water. Anything that could be considered gray water in other states is classified as wastewater in Mississippi. 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.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A property inside Tchula town limits seeking a permanent water-meter connection.

  • A permanent sewage-disposal solution must be available.
  • The solution may be a sewer line or septic system.
  • If public sewer is unavailable, the applicant must apply to MSDH for the proper 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. If public sewer is not available in your area, you will have to apply to us for the proper paperwork.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision development inside Tchula town limits that uses on-site wastewater or otherwise falls within MSDH subdivision review.

  • A subdivision is development into ten or more lots.
  • A county ordinance may lower the lot threshold.
  • Public-water development may require Bureau of Public Water Supply review regardless of lot count.
  • A development exceeding 35 lots or a new phase requires a feasibility study.

  subdivision lot threshold: >= 10 lots (County ordinances may lower the minimum number of lots) · feasibility-study threshold: > 35 lots (also required for a new phase)

  “A subdivision is any development of land into ten (10) or more lots. County ordinances may lower the minimum number of lots. If the development will utilize public water, the Bureau of Public Water Supply may require a subdivision review, regardless of lot count.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  MSDH on-site wastewater applications for property inside Tchula town limits.

  • Online payment is subject to a processing fee.
  • All fees are subject to change.
  • Additional costs may be included when the online application is not used.

  Notice of Intent plus Final Approval: 197.5 USD · Notice of Intent plus Exemption: 100 USD · subdivision fee: 325 USD (plus $6.50 per lot)

  “Notice of Intent + Final Approval is currently $197.50 Notice of Intent + Exemption is currently $100 Existing Residential Inspection is currently $100 Private Water Well Sample is currently $10 Non-residential Water Meter is currently $0 Commercial Establishment + Final Approval is currently $412.50 Existing Commercial Establishment is currently $315 Commercial Development is currently $412.50 + $2.60/unit. A unit can be an apartment, house, trailer, RV or any other independent quarters for a single family. Subdivision is currently $325 + $6.50/lot Online payment will be subject to a processing fee. All fees are subject to change. Additional costs may be included if online application is not used. See other FAQ questions for details about application types.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  MSDH on-site wastewater permit process for property inside Tchula town limits.

  • Payment must be received before the property visit.
  • The process concerns on-site wastewater applications.

  “We personally review all applications before invoicing. This prevents many mistakes, such as duplicate applications or applying for the wrong service to occur. The invoice is emailed to you from support@msegov.com within one (1) business day of receiving the application. Check your Spam folder if you do not see anything in your Inbox. We must receive your payment prior to visiting the property.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Tchula or Holmes County directly.

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Tchula town limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Tchula town limits.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Tchula town limits.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Tchula town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — New or altered dwellings inside Tchula 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.