Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Gautier, Mississippi

Gautier’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Buildings and structures inside Gautier city limits.

  • Applies when a structure or building is improved by more than $1,000, erected, moved, structurally altered, or when land use changes.
  • An application requires the listed site plan, use information, survey, and other information requested by the Building Official or Planning Director.
  • No permit issues for a parcel with outstanding unpaid fines, fees, or taxes relating to property use or care.

  improvement threshold: > 1000 USD

  “Whenever any structure or building is to be improved in an amount exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or is erected, moved, structurally altered, or if the use of land is to be changed; a building permit shall be obtained from the Building Official.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building work inside Gautier city limits.

  • The page lists the 2024 International Building Code, 2024 International Single Family and Multi-Family Dwelling code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 Fuel Gas Code, 2024 International Plumbing Code, 2024 International Fire Code, and 2023 National Electric Code.

  “Current Adopted Codes These are the current codes that are enforced by the City of Gautier's Planning and Building Department, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of our community.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Newly constructed prefabricated or modularly constructed components inside Gautier city limits.

  • The rule identifies this construction as new work.
  • Inspections are under the codes adopted by Gautier.

  “However, all such construction is considered new work and as such, will require issuance of a building permit and inspections in accordance with adopted codes of the City of Gautier.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Development and land use on properties within Gautier city jurisdiction.

  “The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all properties within the jurisdiction of the City of Gautier and shall govern development and use of land.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Gautier city limits.

  • The official zoning map is part of the UDO and delineates district boundaries.
  • The listed districts include AG, R-E, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, C-1, and C-2, with additional districts listed in the ordinance.

  “AG Agricultural District R-E Residential Estate R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential R-1A Medium Density Residential R-2 High Density Multi-Family Residential R-3 Mobile/Manufactured Home Residential District C-1 Neighborhood Commercial C-2 Community Commercial”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Dwelling units in the AG Agricultural District.

  • All uses and structures must meet the development standards except as otherwise provided by the UDO; conservation subdivisions may be used with City Council permission.

  minimum living area: >= 1325 square feet

  “4. Minimum Living Area of Dwelling Units: Thirteen hundred twenty-five (1,325) square feet”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Dwelling units in the R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District.

    “G. Minimum Living Area of dwelling units—Thirteen hundred twenty-five (1,325) square feet”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family detached dwelling units in the R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District.

  minimum lot area: >= 9600 square feet

  “5.4.4 R-1, Low Density Single-Family Residential District Single-Family detached dwelling units shall meet the following development standards. A. Minimum Lot Area: Ninety-six hundred (9,600) square feet”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Principal and accessory structures in the AG Agricultural District.

  • Accessory structures may not exceed 20 percent of the rear yard.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 15 percent

  “3. Maximum Lot Coverage: Fifteen (15) percent for principal structure and accessory structures and accessory structures shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the rear yard”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Principal and accessory structures in the R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District.

    “F. Maximum Lot Coverage—Thirty (30) percent for the principal structure and accessory structures. Accessory structures shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the rear lot area.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Principal and accessory structures in the AG Agricultural District.

  principal-structure maximum height: <= 35 feet · accessory-structure maximum height: <= 25 feet

  “2. Maximum Building Height: Thirty-five (35) feet for principal structure and twenty-five (25) feet for accessory structure”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  RV parks and campgrounds inside Gautier city limits.

  • RV parks must comply with the UDO and any additional conditions and safeguards required by the Planning Commission or City Council.
  • An RV campground requires a valid Mississippi State Department of Health permit; evidence must be provided before a city certificate of occupancy issues.
  • Removal of RV wheels is prohibited except temporarily or for ground stabilization.

  “RV parks are intended for use on a temporary basis by campers, vacationers and travelers and are not intended as a place for permanent abode dwelling or business or for an indefinite period of time.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site waste disposal systems in identified special flood-hazard areas within Gautier city limits.

  • The condition applies in all areas of special flood hazard.
  • The provision concerns location and construction to avoid impairment or contamination during flooding.

  “In all areas of special flood hazard the following provisions are required: [...] (8) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.”

• Well permitLimited

  Individual wells or central water systems proposed as part of subdivisions inside Gautier city limits.

  • If the Public Works Director or Planning Director determines public water may be provided within five years, the applicant must provide design and approvals for future water service at final plat approval.
  • Performance or cash bonds are required to ensure compliance.

  future public-water period: <= 5 years

  “Based on a schedule from the City of Gautier Utility Division, if the Public Works Director and/or Planning Director determines that public water may be provided within five (5) years, as a condition to approval of an individual well or central water system, the applicant shall provide the design and approvals for future water service at the time the plat received final approval.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision plats and proposed subdivisions inside Gautier city limits.

  • No plat may be approved unless City Council determines public facilities are adequate to support and serve the area.
  • The owner must construct improvements under Article X and applicable state and federal land-development regulations.

  “No Subdivision Plat shall be approved unless the City Council determines that public facilities will be adequate to support and service the area of the proposed subdivision.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway culverts for lots in Gautier subdivisions with side ditches.

  • Developer must install a properly sized culvert before the building permit issues.
  • The provision specifies construction width and drainage-material requirements.

  “Driveway culverts of proper size shall be installed at each lot by developer prior to the issuance of a building permit.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development activities in identified special flood-hazard areas within Gautier city limits.

  • The development permit must be obtained before commencement of development activity.
  • No structure or land may be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the ordinance and other applicable regulations.
  • Where rules conflict or overlap, the more stringent restriction prevails.

  “A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provision of this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities in identified areas of special flood hazard within the City of Gautier.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, planning, and development approvals inside Gautier city limits.

  • Construction valuation is determined by the Building and Zoning Administrator using current ICC Building Valuation Data or certified bid tabulation.
  • The stated fee is subject to the valuation band and a $1 filing fee.

  first $1,000 permit fee: 25 USD (construction valuation $0–100,000) · additional valuation fee: per 5 USD per $1,000 (construction valuation $0–100,000) · filing fee: 1 USD

  “I. BUILDING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, & PLUMBING CONSTRUCTION PERMITS Construction Valuation $0 - 100,000 Each $25 for 1st $1,000 + $5 each add'l $1,000 + $1.00 Filing Fee”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Gautier city limits.

  • Applications are filed on the appropriate Planning Department application and include requested information, attachments, and submittals.
  • A marked copy of plans is returned to the applicant and another is retained by the City Manager or designee for at least two years.

  “Applications for a Building Permit may be filed on the appropriate application available from the Planning Department and shall include all requested information, attachments, and submittals.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Gautier city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Gautier city limits outside an RV campground.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Gautier city limits.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Gautier city limits.
• Who permits septic — On-site sewage disposal inside Gautier 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.