Bolthole Index

Noxubee County, Mississippi

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Noxubee County, Mississippi

73Index Score / 100
#28 of 82 in Mississippi

Noxubee County, Mississippi requires a building permit, and the county publishes an application for new construction, additions, alterations and repairs12. Countywide zoning and the locally adopted building code could not be confirmed, so verify parcel rules before designing a home34. The Mississippi State Department of Health handles septic permitting5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; the county publishes a building-permit application12
Zoning
Countywide zoning could not be confirmed; ask the county and the relevant municipality3
Septic permit
Apply through the Mississippi State Department of Health67
Owner-builder
A state contractor-license exemption may apply to work on your own residence, but it does not waive permits8
RV living
A private-land occupancy rule could not be confirmed; ask the county and any municipality3
Tiny home
No specific occupancy or minimum-size rule confirmed; seek parcel-specific review31
Private well
A state withdrawal permit applies when surface casing is at least 6 inches, with exclusions9

Who to call

Building permits

Noxubee County Tax Assessor/Collector

County contact page that publishes the Noxubee County building-permit application

(662) 726-4744

[email protected]

2832 Jefferson Street Suite-2 Macon, MS 39341

Building permits

Noxubee County Building Permit Application

Application details, project classification and published building-permit fees

Septic permits

Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater

On-site wastewater applications, soil and site evaluations, permits and technical assistance for Noxubee County

1-855-220-0192

[email protected]

570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216

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 Noxubee County, Mississippi?

Yes. Noxubee County records a building permit as required, and the official county site publishes an application labeled for a building permit12. The application covers new work, additions, alterations and repairs, and it requests the job address, legal description, owner, contractor, design professionals, use, work description and valuation10. The form warns that an issued permit becomes void if construction does not begin within 6 months or is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after work begins10. The county-specific adopted building code, inspection stages and certificate-of-occupancy process could not be confirmed. Mississippi's statewide framework says counties and municipalities must enact uniform codes unless they opted out before November 30, 2014, but that framework alone does not establish Noxubee County's present code4.

Who handles Noxubee County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The official county site places the building-permit application among the Noxubee County Tax Assessor/Collector forms and lists the county contact at (662) 726-4744, [email protected], 2832 Jefferson Street Suite-2, Macon, MS 393412. The page does not identify a separate building department or inspector, so use that county contact to confirm where to submit the form, what plans are needed and who schedules inspections. The application provides lines for the owner, contractor, architect and engineer and includes a signature line for an owner-builder10. It also shows a valuation-based fee table, but the layout of the extracted form does not reliably pair every fee with its bracket; ask the county for the current fee calculation rather than estimating from the PDF10.

Does Noxubee County have zoning?

Countywide zoning for unincorporated Noxubee County could not be confirmed from an official ordinance or zoning map3. That unknown does not mean a parcel is unrestricted: incorporated places may apply their own land-use rules, and the statewide building-code framework is separate from zoning4. Before fixing a house site, ask the county contact whether the parcel is inside unincorporated Noxubee County and whether setbacks, subdivision review, floodplain review or another site approval applies2. If the parcel lies inside a municipality, ask that municipality about zoning and building review because a city rule does not establish the rule for unincorporated county land3. Minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage and building height also could not be confirmed, so obtain a parcel-specific written answer before commissioning plans3.

How do septic and well permits work in Noxubee County?

The Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater administers septic work in Noxubee County, which MSDH places in its North Region57. For a new individual system, apply to MSDH for a soil and site evaluation and the resulting permit or recommendation; MSDH says that document is required to obtain a water meter611. A limited exemption may be selected for one dwelling and its system on property of at least 2 acres, but other authorities, lenders, utilities or covenants may still require final approval6. Only about 1.3% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so treat soil evaluation as an early feasibility step rather than a closing-day detail12. For help, contact the wastewater call center at 1-855-220-0192 or [email protected]7. A groundwater-withdrawal permit is required for wells with surface casing at least 6 inches in diameter, subject to exclusions9.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Noxubee County?

A Noxubee County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy on private land could not be confirmed3. The available statewide RV material concerns campgrounds in a different water-supply district, so it does not answer the private-parcel question in Noxubee County. Ask the county contact and, when applicable, the municipality about occupancy, temporary utility connections, sewage disposal and placement before moving an RV onto the property26. A county-specific tiny-home rule and minimum dwelling size also could not be confirmed3. A tiny home built or placed as a residence should be taken through the county's permit inquiry and MSDH wastewater review rather than assumed exempt because of its size16. The Mississippi owner-builder exemption concerns residential-contractor licensing on a person's own residence; it does not itself waive a local permit or inspection8.

Building a home in Noxubee County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Noxubee County or a municipality, then ask the appropriate local office about zoning, setbacks, floodplain review and subdivision restrictions32.
  2. Apply to MSDH for a soil and site evaluation and septic permit or recommendation before settling the house location67.
  3. If the driveway connects to a Mississippi state highway, obtain the required state permit for a new driveway or alteration13.
  4. Complete the county building-permit application with the site, ownership, contractor, design, use, valuation and work information it requests10.
  5. Call the county at (662) 726-4744 to confirm the submission location, current fee, required plans and inspection sequence because those process details are not stated on the county page2.
  6. Do not occupy the finished home until the county confirms whether a final inspection or certificate of occupancy is required.

What should you check before buying land in Noxubee County?

Check buildability at the proposed homesite, not just across the tract. Only about 1.3% of Noxubee County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, although about 93.8% of the land has a slope of 15% or less1214. About 59.3% of the county is wooded, so compare clearing and access costs between candidate sites15. Confirm legal access, and remember that a new or altered driveway connecting to a state highway requires an MDOT permit13. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $8611617. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 61 miles from the county's center, a useful signal when budgeting trips for materials and specialized trades18. Confirm flood exposure and any local floodplain review with the county because an operative Noxubee County floodplain permit rule could not be confirmed.

Watch-outs

  • The county publishes a permit form, but the adopted code, inspection sequence and certificate-of-occupancy requirement could not be confirmed; ask the county before work begins12.
  • A septic permit or recommendation is tied to the actual soil and site, and only about 1.3% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field612.
  • The owner-builder provision is a contractor-license exemption for work on a person's own residence, not an exemption from the county building-permit process81.

Sources

  1. Noxubee County official website (2026 county census)
  2. Noxubee County Tax Assessor/Collector (noxubeecounty.org)
  3. (2026 county census)
  4. Mississippi Uniform Building Codes (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Site Wastewater - Mississippi State Department of Health, quoted and re-checked
  6. On-Site Wastewater - Mississippi State Department of Health, quoted and re-checked
  7. Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater (msdh.ms.gov)
  8. Mississippi Senate Journal, March 9, 2022 (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Guidelines for Securing the Services of a Water Well Driller (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Noxubee County Building Permit Application (cdn.prod.website-files.com)
  11. On-Site Wastewater - Mississippi State Department of Health, quoted and re-checked
  12. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  13. Mississippi Access Management Guide (Mississippi statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Distance to the nearest metro area: 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

Noxubee County in Mississippi

73
County map
Noxubee County highlighted among the Mississippi counties · colored by Index score

How Noxubee County scores

Seclusion72100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency67100% ev.
Admin Boringness5477% ev.
Durability61100% ev.
Property Autonomy39100% ev.
Carry Cost86100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$103kTypical home
1%Property tax
$3,616Land / acre
55.4"Annual rain
5.2% of yrsSevere drought
18.6 / yr (+16.1)Mid-century 100°F days
16.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.8" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.45×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,610Home insurance / yr
-0.7% / yrInsurance growth
2.05%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
10,125People within 30 min
968,473People within 2 hr
12,162Radius comparison (15 mi)
14.3People / sq mi
3%Federal land
93.8%Land at 15% slope or less
1.3%Septic soil without severe limits
5,935 acWorkable land screen
59.3%Wooded land
51.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
63.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Noxubee County

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

Noxubee County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    The official Noxubee County website provides a downloadable Building Permit form, indicating the county requires a building permit; consistent with Miss. Code 19-5-9(11) mandating unincorporated permitting.

    Noxubee County official website ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet 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

    Mississippi counties and municipalities subject to the statewide uniform-building-code framework.

    • All counties and municipalities must enact uniform building codes unless they opted out prior to November 30, 2014.
    • The source describes the statewide framework but does not establish that every county or municipality currently has an adopted code.
    “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

    Individual on-site wastewater disposal systems in Noxubee County.

    • The Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-site Wastewater administers the statewide program.
    • Noxubee County is listed in the MSDH North Region.
    “The On-site Wastewater program develops policy and regulations [...] North Region Alcorn, [...] Noxubee, [...]”
    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.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New individual on-site wastewater disposal systems in Noxubee County.

    • A Soil and Site Evaluation produces a Permit/Recommendation suitable for installation.
    • The Permit/Recommendation is required to obtain a water meter.
    • A two-acre exemption may be selected for one dwelling on property of two acres or larger when the listed authorities and other conditions do not require Final Approval.
    • The MSDH Notice of Intent states that the two-acre exemption requires filing an Affidavit (Exemption).

    minimum property size for two-acre exemption: >= 2 acres (one dwelling and IOWDS; Final Approval may still be required by the Board of Supervisors, water supplier, lending institution, utility authority, subdivision covenants, or another applicable requirement)

    “By law, you must apply to us and install a septic system from the Permit we issue.”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.

  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Noxubee County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning across Noxubee County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts or zoning maps for Noxubee County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Noxubee County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Noxubee County.
12 more unanswered
  • 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 Noxubee County, Mississippi

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

Noxubee County scores 73/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 10,125 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Noxubee County, Mississippi?

Noxubee County generally requires a residential building permit. Onsite septic is permitted by Mississippi State Department of Health. 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 Noxubee County, Mississippi?

Land in Noxubee County runs about $3,616 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Noxubee County?

Noxubee County gets about 55.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.2% of years.

How remote is Noxubee County?

A representative private-land location has about 10,125 people within a 30-minute drive and 968,473 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 Noxubee County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Noxubee compares in Mississippi

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