Bolthole Index

Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

Building permits and land rules in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

74Index Score / 100
#22 of 82 in Mississippi

Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi does not publish a confirmed residential building-permit process for unincorporated land, so ask the Board of Supervisors what approvals and inspections apply before work begins.12 Septic systems are administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health, with inspections coordinated through the appropriate county health department.34

At a glance

Building permit
County process and enforcement are unconfirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors12
Zoning
Countywide zoning status is unconfirmed5
Septic
Administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health3
RV living
Private-land occupancy rule is unconfirmed5
Tiny home
Occupancy and minimum-size rules are unconfirmed5
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption applies when its conditions are met; local approvals are not waived6
Private well
State withdrawal permit applies at the specified casing-size threshold, subject to exclusions7

Who to call

Building permits

Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors

First county contact to identify the office responsible for unincorporated-area building, zoning, floodplain and county-road questions

601-792-4336

[email protected]

P.O. Box 1317, Prentiss, MS 39474-1317

Septic permits

Jefferson Davis County Health Department

Local health-department contact for coordinating with the state onsite-wastewater program

601-792-5135

1185-A Frontage Road, Prentiss, MS 39474

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi?

Jefferson Davis County does not publish a confirmed residential building-permit office, application or inspection schedule for unincorporated property, so do not treat the silence as an exemption.1 Mississippi law directs counties to require permitting as a condition of construction in unincorporated areas, but Jefferson Davis County's local administration and enforcement could not be confirmed.1 Mississippi's uniform-code framework also says counties and municipalities must enact uniform building codes unless they opted out before the applicable deadline, while the statewide source does not establish Jefferson Davis County's present code status.8 Before ordering plans, grading a site or signing a construction contract, give the Board of Supervisors the parcel location and project description and ask which permit, code, inspection and occupancy requirements apply.21

Who handles Jefferson Davis County building permits and inspections?

No dedicated Jefferson Davis County building department or codes office is confirmed, making the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors the practical first county contact.12 The Board lists 601-792-4336 and a mailing address at P.O. Box 1317 in Prentiss.2 Ask the Board to identify who reviews residential construction in the parcel's jurisdiction, which code applies, what plans are required, when inspections occur and whether an occupancy approval is needed.12 Mississippi's owner-builder exemption can remove the state residential-builder licensing requirement when a person undertakes construction or improvement on that person's own residence or acts as the general contractor for that work.6 The exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not establish an exemption from locally required permits or inspections.6

Does Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi have zoning?

Jefferson Davis County's countywide zoning status remains unconfirmed because no authoritative county zoning ordinance, district map or zoning-office page establishes the answer.5 An unconfirmed zoning status does not mean that unincorporated land is unrestricted.5 Minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height, manufactured-home rules and subdivision procedures also lack confirmed county answers.5 Ask the Board of Supervisors for a parcel-specific determination and for the text of any ordinance that governs the proposed use.25 If the parcel lies inside Prentiss, Bassfield or another incorporated municipality, ask that municipality separately because Mississippi permit requirements vary by location and city rules do not automatically describe unincorporated Jefferson Davis County.9 A driveway connecting to a Mississippi state highway requires an MDOT access permit for a new driveway or an alteration to an existing drive.10

How do septic permits work in Jefferson Davis County?

The Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater administers individual onsite wastewater systems in Jefferson Davis County.3 Inspection scheduling is coordinated with the appropriate county Department of Health, and the Jefferson Davis County Health Department is at 1185-A Frontage Road in Prentiss with phone 601-792-5135.411 MSDH environmentalists provide soil and site evaluations that produce a permit or recommendation required for a water meter, and applications for new systems are available online.11 Where centralized wastewater treatment is available, Mississippi requires connection to that system rather than continued onsite disposal.12 About 25.8% of Jefferson Davis County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make the site evaluation an early purchase contingency and budget for the possibility of a nonconventional design.13

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Jefferson Davis County?

Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping and tiny-home occupancy on private land in Jefferson Davis County remain unconfirmed.5 The same is true for minimum dwelling size, setbacks and accessory-dwelling standards, so the lack of a published county zoning answer is not permission to occupy a unit.5 Ask the Board of Supervisors to identify the rule for the parcel and describe whether the unit will be temporary or permanent, whether it has wheels, and how water and wastewater will be handled.25 Mississippi's cited campground rules apply only to campgrounds under the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District and do not answer the private-land question in Jefferson Davis County.14 A public water connection requires prior written MSDH approval of the sewage-treatment and disposal plan.12

Building a home in Jefferson Davis County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors which building approval, code, inspection, floodplain and occupancy requirements apply to the parcel.21
  1. Obtain a parcel-specific zoning answer and confirm setbacks, minimum size, manufactured-home treatment and subdivision limits because the countywide rules remain unconfirmed.52
  1. Apply to the Mississippi State Department of Health for onsite-wastewater review before fixing the house location, and coordinate local inspection questions through the Jefferson Davis County Health Department.3411
  1. If acting as your own builder, document that the project meets the state's owner-builder licensing exemption without assuming it waives local approvals.6
  1. Obtain an MDOT access permit before creating or altering a driveway onto a state highway.10
  1. If a private well has a surface casing diameter of 6 inches or more, obtain the state groundwater-withdrawal permit, subject to exclusions.7

What should you check before buying land in Jefferson Davis County?

Start with wastewater feasibility because about 25.8% of Jefferson Davis County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.13 The county receives about 60.4 inches of precipitation annually, so inspect drainage, standing-water patterns and the proposed house and septic areas during wet conditions.15 About 79.8% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, while about 75.2% is wooded; verify the actual tract's clearing, drainage and grading needs rather than relying on county averages.1617 Farmland value averages about $3,188 per acre, and the typical home value is about $99,263.1819 The effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%, with a median annual bill near $728.2021 Before closing, confirm legal access, floodplain requirements, land-use rules and every construction approval directly with the Board of Supervisors.215

Watch-outs

  • Jefferson Davis County's building-permit process, inspection schedule and certificate-of-occupancy requirements remain unconfirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors before construction.12
  • Countywide zoning, setbacks and minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed, so obtain a parcel-specific answer before buying an RV, tiny home or manufactured home.52
  • Only about 25.8% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.13

Sources

  1. Miss. Code Ann. §19-5-9(11) (2026 county census)
  2. Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors (co.jefferson-davis.ms.us)
  3. On-Site Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  4. Mississippi State Department of Health Current Regulations: On-site Wastewater (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. (2026 county census)
  6. Mississippi Senate Journal, March 9, 2022 (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Guidelines for Securing the Services of a Water Well Driller (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Mississippi Uniform Building Codes (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Start Your Business in Mississippi — County and City Permits (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Mississippi Access Management Guide (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Jefferson Davis County Health Department (msdh.ms.gov)
  12. Mississippi State Department of Health Current Regulations: On-site Wastewater (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. General Campground Rules and Policies - Ross Barnett Reservoir (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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.

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County locator

Jefferson Davis County in Mississippi

74
County map
Jefferson Davis County highlighted among the Mississippi counties · colored by Index score

How Jefferson Davis County scores

Seclusion61100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency70100% ev.
Admin Boringness6245% ev.
Durability66100% ev.
Property Autonomy39100% ev.
Carry Cost86100% ev.

Evidence strength: 91%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$99kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$3,188Land / acre
60.4"Annual rain
3.9% of yrsSevere drought
11.2 / yr (+10.3)Mid-century 100°F days
17 daysMid-century dry spell
3.05" (+7.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.41×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,070Home insurance / yr
1.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.94%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
17,534People within 30 min
1,669,121People within 2 hr
24,182Radius comparison (15 mi)
26.9People / sq mi
0%Federal land
79.8%Land at 15% slope or less
25.8%Septic soil without severe limits
67,054 acWorkable land screen
75.2%Wooded land
35.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.5°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Jefferson Davis County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Mississippi rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A person undertaking construction or improvement on the person's own residence or acting as the person's own general contractor for construction or improvement on that residence, for purposes of Mississippi residential builder and remodeler licensing requirements.

    • The exemption concerns the licensing chapter for residential builders and remodelers; it does not by itself establish exemption from a locally required building permit or inspection.
    • The same official legislative text also states that related exemptions have limits on permit applications or residences constructed within a one-year period, depending on the subsection and circumstances.
    “(1) This chapter shall not apply to: [...] (b) Any person who undertakes construction or improvement on his own residence, or who acts as his own general contractor in the performance of construction or improvement on his own residence;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    State Fire Marshal adoption of the 2024 IFC and IBC in Mississippi.

    • The cited state page describes the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code and its application to specified building categories; it does not establish a general Jefferson Davis County building-code adoption.
    • Public assembly buildings are excepted where a county or municipality has adopted a code with standards not less stringent than the state code.
    • Buildings at least 75 feet high are covered subject to the local-code exception stated in the statute.

    effective date: 2024-07-01 · height threshold: >= 75 feet (subject to the local-code exception)

    “AS OF JULY 1, 2024, THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI – OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ADOPTED THE 2024 ADDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC) AND THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Mississippi counties and municipalities subject to the statewide uniform-building-code framework.
      “Under Senate Bill 2378 of 2014, all counties and municipalities must enact uniform building codes unless they opt out prior to Nov. 30, 2014. Please complete the following information regarding your county or municipality’s building code policies.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Pediatric skilled nursing facilities regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

    • Upon completion of construction, the Licensing Agency must inspect and approve the facility before occupancy.
    • The state and county health departments may access the job site during regular business hours and conduct construction progress inspections as deemed necessary by the agency.
    “Upon completion of construction, an inspection shall be made by the Licensing Agency and approval given prior to occupying the building or any part thereof. The state and county health departments shall have access to the job site during regular business hours and shall conduct construction progress inspections as deemed necessary by the agency.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Pediatric skilled nursing facilities regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health at final inspection and close-out.

    • At final inspection, the State Agency must receive a Certificate of Occupancy or statement of approval from the local building official permitting occupancy for the facility's intended use.
    • If there is no local building authority, approval from the local fire authority having jurisdiction must be provided.
    • If the facility is state-owned and subject to the State Bureau of Buildings, Grounds and Real Estate Management, approval of occupancy must be coordinated between the state agencies involved.
    “A copy of the Certificate of Occupancy or statement of approval from the local building official permitting occupancy of the facility for its intended use. In the absence of a local building authority, approval of a local fire authority having jurisdiction shall be provided. If the facility is owned by the State of Mississippi and subject to the State Bureau of Buildings Grounds and Real Estate Management, approval of occupancy shall be coordinated between the state agencies involved;”
  • Who permits septicState

    On-site wastewater administration serving Jefferson Davis County.

    • The MSDH page lists Jefferson Davis among the South Region counties.
    • Local ordinances may impose additional land requirements, as stated in the MSDH FAQ.
    “The On-site Wastewater program develops policy and regulations [...] Jefferson Davis”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — Statewide individual onsite wastewater disposal systems; the Mississippi State Department of Health establishes the rules and the appropriate county Department of Health performs local inspections.
      “Notify the Department at least 48 hours before beginning construction if acting as the Certified Installer of an Individual On-site Wastewater Disposal System and, at that time, schedule a time for inspection of the system with the appropriate county Department of Health.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Groundwater withdrawal permits for water wells in Mississippi.

    • A groundwater withdrawal permit is required for water wells with surface casing diameters of 6 inches or greater.
    • Some exclusions apply.
    • A separate contractor licensing requirement generally applies, but a landowner may drill without a Water Well Contractor license for a single-family permanent residence or farm livestock use if applicable construction standards are followed.
    • Wells with surface casing diameters below 6 inches may still be regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health when part of a public water system.

    surface casing diameter threshold: >= 6 inches (Some exclusions apply.)

    “State law requires that you obtain a groundwater withdrawal permit for water wells with surface casing diameters 6-inches or greater in diameter. Some exclusions apply to this requirement.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Public water connections and connection to centralized wastewater treatment systems for residences, buildings, and facilities in Mississippi.

    • A public water utility may not connect water service without prior written Department approval certifying that the sewage treatment and disposal plan complies with state law.
    • Water utility connections may be made during construction only if the Department approved the sewage plan and the owner agreed to inspection and approval before use or occupancy.
    • Where centralized wastewater treatment is constructed and becomes available, onsite systems must be abandoned and residences, buildings, or facilities connected to the centralized system.
    • Temporary onsite systems may be used only under the stated 36-month centralized-treatment conditions.

    centralized wastewater availability deadline: 36 months (The developer must sign a written agreement to connect when available and install internal sewage collection to the connection point.)

    “Where a Centralized Wastewater Treatment System is available, all places shall have a properly constructed connection to the centralized wastewater treatment system which all human excreta and other liquid waste shall be disposed”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways and specified changes of use connecting to Mississippi state highways.

    • A permit is required for new driveways.
    • A permit is required for alterations to existing drives.
    • A permit is required for a change of use causing a daily-trip increase of 10% or 100 daily trips, whichever is greater.
    • A permit is required for property-use changes from non-commercial to commercial.
    • If access is expected to exceed 100 peak-hour trips, a traffic-impact study must be submitted.
    • If the permitted land use changes, the original permit is revoked and a new permit must be applied for.
    • A denied permit may be appealed within 10 days after receipt of the denial notification.

    daily trip increase threshold: 10 percent (or 100 daily trips, whichever is greater) · traffic impact study threshold: > 100 peak-hour trips · appeal deadline: 10 days (after receipt of denial notification)

    “For State Highways a permit is required for: 1. New driveways; 2. Alterations to existing drives;”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development or improvement activity on state-owned Mississippi property or buildings located in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area zones A, AE, V, or VE.

    • The requirement applies to state-owned property or buildings.
    • For existing structures determined to involve less than a Substantial Improvement, no additional forms or approval are required after Step One.
    • For new development or a Substantial Improvement, the applicant must complete the Step Two form, obtain a Control Code, provide all required attachments, and submit final elevation certification and complete drawings and specifications.
    • Approval produces an initial approval letter and, after final requirements are approved, a final approval letter.
    • If Step Two is not approved and the project cannot be brought into compliance, a denial letter is issued.

    covered FEMA zones: A, AE, V, VE · substantial improvement threshold: less than a Substantial Improvement (no additional forms or approval required for the development project)

    “A development or improvement activity to state-owned property or building, [...] must complete a Floodplain Management Permit Application.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Mississippi Department of Transportation over-dimensional and related permits statewide.

    • The published schedule applies to MDOT permit types, not a general statewide building-permit fee schedule.
    • Blanket permits are not prorated and are issued for one year unless otherwise specified.
    • Blanket permits must have valid insurance or a valid U.S. DOT number; if insurance expires or cancels, the blanket permit becomes invalid.
    • Overweight charges apply to weight exceeding 80,000 pounds or specified axle limits.

    oversize permit fee: 10 USD · oversize blanket fee: 100 USD · 72-hour legal trip permit fee: 25 USD · harvest permit fee: 25 USD · port permit fee: 170 USD per year · pole blanket fee: 200 USD

    “Oversize permit $10.00 Oversize Blanket $100.00”
  • Permit processPartial

    Mississippi local permitting for businesses and business-related construction or land development.

    • Permits may be required from city or county governments.
    • Different locations have different requirements.
    • Building permits generally come from the city or county building and planning department for constructing or modifying a place of business.
    • Zoning permits generally come from the city or county building and planning department for developing land for specific commercial use.
    “You may be required to apply for permits and licenses from your local government (e.g., city or county). Different locations have different requirements.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy at campgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, including Coal Bluff, Goshen Springs, Leake County Water Park, Low Head Dam, and Timberlake.

    • The rules apply within all campgrounds under the District’s jurisdiction.
    • Campgrounds are not intended to be permanent domiciles for campground guests.
    • A recreational vehicle must be in operable road-worthy condition, properly registered and insured in its domicile state or province, with a current license plate affixed.
    • Campers may not stay on any pad longer than 12 consecutive months; Standard Plus campers may move to another available pad after 12 months, but the District is not responsible for making a pad available.
    • Campsites are typically designed for trailers or recreational vehicles no longer than 32 feet or wider than 8 feet, subject to the stated RVIA-seal, holding-tank, facility-capacity, and prohibited-unit conditions.
    • Primitive camping areas without water, electricity, or sewer are not intended for recreational vehicles.
    • No permanent structures may be erected on a campsite; temporary accessibility stairs, stoops, steps, or ramps require the stated approvals and size limits.
    • Camping is confined to designated campground or overflow areas, and no more than one camping unit is allowed per pad without Campground Manager approval.

    maximum stay on one pad: <= 12 consecutive months (Campers may move to a different available pad after 12 months.) · typical campsite RV length: <= 32 feet (Larger units may be accepted if they satisfy the stated RVIA seal, holding-tank, and facility-capacity conditions.) · typical campsite RV width: <= 8 feet (Larger units may be accepted if they satisfy the stated RVIA seal, holding-tank, and facility-capacity conditions.)

    “Campers shall not stay on any pad longer than 12 consecutive months”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction in unincorporated Jefferson Davis County.
  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning authority in Jefferson Davis County.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning in Jefferson Davis County and its municipalities.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts or zoning maps for Jefferson Davis County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Jefferson Davis County.
13 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Living off-grid in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

Is Jefferson Davis County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Jefferson Davis County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 60.4″/yr rainfall with little drought. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi?

Building-permit rules for unincorporated Jefferson Davis County are not published on an official source. Onsite septic is permitted by Mississippi State Department of Health, On-Site Wastewater Program. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi?

Land in Jefferson Davis County runs about $3,188 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Jefferson Davis County?

Jefferson Davis County gets about 60.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.9% of years.

How remote is Jefferson Davis County?

A representative private-land location has about 17,534 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,669,121 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Jefferson Davis compares in Mississippi

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