Perry County, MS Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Perry County, Mississippi does not publish a residential building-permit office or process, so confirm the current permit and inspection path with the Board of Supervisors before building in an unincorporated area¹². Countywide zoning is also unconfirmed³. Septic permits go through the Mississippi State Department of Health⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Requirement and local process unconfirmed¹
Zoning: Countywide zoning status unconfirmed³
Septic permit: Required through the Mississippi State Department of Health⁴⁵
Owner-builder: State licensing exemption available for your own residence⁶
RV or tiny-home living: Private-land occupancy rules unconfirmed³
Minimum home size: No county rule confirmed; ask before designing³
Conventional septic soils: About 33.3% of soils lack severe limitations⁷
Median property tax bill: About $947 a year⁸

Who to call

Also useful

Perry County Board of Supervisors

General county government contact to identify the current permit, inspection, zoning and floodplain contacts

601.964.8370

[email protected]

101 Main St. New Augusta, MS 39462

Roads & driveways

Perry County Engineer

County roads, bridges, drainage and public infrastructure questions, including whom to ask about a proposed county-road entrance

601.583.2127

Septic permits

Mississippi State Department of Health, Perry County Health Department

Local health department contact for Perry County within the state on-site wastewater program

601-964-3288

15 Pumping Station Road Petal, MS 39465

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Perry County's residential building-permit requirement and local application process could not be confirmed from a county source¹. Mississippi has a statewide uniform-building-code framework, but the state describes an opt-out path and does not identify Perry County's current code policy⁹. That means rural land should not be marketed as permit-free or code-free. Before ordering plans or starting site work in unincorporated Perry County, contact the Board of Supervisors and ask who currently accepts residential permit applications, which code applies, what inspections are required, and whether a certificate of occupancy is issued². Incorporated places may administer their own rules, so ask the relevant city when the parcel is inside municipal limits¹⁰.

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

Perry County does not publish a dedicated building, planning or zoning department on its official site, and a county permit application, fee schedule and inspection process could not be confirmed¹. The practical starting point is the Perry County Board of Supervisors at 101 Main St. in New Augusta, by phone at 601.964.8370 or email at [email protected]². Ask the Board office to identify the current official for residential construction, floodplain review and land-use questions, then get the answer for the parcel in writing. For a proposed entrance on a county road, the Perry County Engineer is the relevant public-infrastructure contact; the office describes responsibility for county roads, bridges and drainage¹¹. A driveway connecting to a state highway requires an MDOT permit¹².

Does Perry County have zoning?

Countywide zoning in unincorporated Perry County could not be confirmed from an official ordinance, map or explicit county statement³. Treat that as an open question, not proof that the county has no zoning. The same gap applies to setbacks, minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, building height and lot coverage. Ask the Board of Supervisors which office can give a parcel-specific written determination before relying on a seller's description². If the land lies inside an incorporated municipality, contact that city because Mississippi permit and zoning requirements vary by local government¹⁰. Flood-zone information is available through the county's GIS link, but the operative floodplain permit requirement and current administrator should still be confirmed with the Board office².

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

The Mississippi State Department of Health administers individual on-site wastewater systems in Perry County, which is in the agency's South Region⁴. A new residential system requires a soil and site evaluation that produces a permit or recommendation, and the permit is required for a water meter and septic-system installation⁵. The certified installer must contact the Department 24 hours before construction to schedule an inspection¹³. Start with the Perry County Health Department at 15 Pumping Station Road in Petal, open Tuesday and Friday, by phone at 601-964-3288¹⁴. About 33.3% of Perry County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so a site evaluation may materially affect system choice and cost⁷.

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

Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping and tiny-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Perry County could not be confirmed from an official county rule³. Countywide zoning is also unconfirmed, so neither an RV nor a tiny home should be assumed legal for full-time living simply because the parcel is rural³. Ask the Board of Supervisors for the current land-use and building contact, and ask separately about the structure, residential occupancy, utilities, address assignment and floodplain status². Any occupied dwelling using an individual wastewater system still needs to follow the state septic process⁵. The owner-builder exemption can remove a state residential-builder licensing requirement for work on your own residence, but it does not waive permits or land-use rules⁶.

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

Ask the Perry County Board of Supervisors to identify the current building, inspection, zoning and floodplain authorities for the parcel².

If the parcel is inside a municipality, confirm that city's separate requirements before design work¹⁰.

Apply to the Mississippi State Department of Health for the soil and site evaluation and septic permit or recommendation⁵¹⁴.

Confirm driveway approval with the County Engineer for a county road or obtain an MDOT permit for a state-highway connection¹¹¹².

Submit whatever residential permit documents the county identifies and schedule all required inspections; the county's exact process remains unconfirmed¹.

If acting as your own general contractor on your own residence, document the state licensing exemption while still following every applicable permit rule⁶.

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Start with wastewater: about 33.3% of Perry County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain the state site evaluation before assuming a standard system will fit⁷⁵. Check access next: the County Engineer handles county-road infrastructure questions, while a new driveway onto a state highway requires an MDOT permit¹¹¹². Confirm zoning, setbacks, dwelling type, RV use and floodplain review in writing with the authority identified by the Board of Supervisors because the county rules remain unconfirmed³². Perry County is about 88.1% wooded and about 41.8% federally owned, so verify the surveyed boundary and legal access rather than assuming adjoining forest is part of the tract¹⁵¹⁶. The median property tax bill is about $947 a year at an effective rate near 0.8%⁸¹⁷.

Watch-outs

Perry County's building-permit and inspection process could not be confirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors to identify the current authority before construction begins¹².
Countywide zoning and private-land RV or tiny-home occupancy remain unconfirmed, so obtain a parcel-specific written answer rather than treating rural land as unrestricted³².
Only about 33.3% of Perry County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; complete the state site evaluation before fixing a house location or wastewater budget⁷⁵.

Sources

Written September 27, 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.

How Perry County scores

Seclusion44100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency72100% ev.

Admin Boringness7268% ev.

Durability54100% ev.

Property Autonomy39100% ev.

Carry Cost86100% ev.

Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$168kTypical home

0.8%Property tax

$3,656Land / acre

63"Annual rain

6.2% of yrsSevere drought

16.7 / yr (+14.7)Mid-century 100°F days

16.9 daysMid-century dry spell

3.12" (+6.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.37×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,049Home insurance / yr

-0.7% / yrInsurance growth

1.43%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

78,825People within 30 min

2,168,360People within 2 hr

25,765Radius comparison (15 mi)

17.5People / sq mi

41.8%Federal land

96.5%Land at 15% slope or less

33.3%Septic soil without severe limits

136,531 acWorkable land screen

88.1%Wooded land

45.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac

66.1°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

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

Perry County rules

County-wide zoningAbsent
Perry County's official website lists no planning/zoning department and directs property owners to the zoning officials of the relevant city, indicating no county-level zoning in unincorporated areas.
Perry County, MS - 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, in Perry County.
- The exemption is for the person's own residence.
- The cited statutory text also lists agricultural buildings, buildings used for agricultural purposes, community-effort buildings, and tenant houses.
- The exemption concerns residential builder licensing and does not establish exemption from building permits or other rules.
“This chapter shall not apply to: [...] 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;”
Mississippi Senate Journal, March 9, 2022 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (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.
  “(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;”
  Mississippi Senate Journal, March 9, 2022 ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Mississippi Uniform Building Codes ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Mississippi Administrative Code, facility construction and occupancy rules ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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;”
Mississippi Administrative Code, facility construction and occupancy rules ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Who permits septicState
Individual on-site wastewater disposal systems in Perry County, administered through the Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-site Wastewater.
- Perry County is listed in MSDH's South Region.
- Local governments may have additional requirements or ordinances.
“The On-site Wastewater program develops policy and regulations and provides technical assistance to regional environmentalists in designing and inspecting Individual On-site Wastewater Disposal Systems (IOWDS), recreational vehicle campgrounds/lodging parks, septage pumpers/haulers and individual water supplies.”
On-Site Wastewater - Mississippi State Department of Health ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
  Mississippi State Department of Health Current Regulations: On-site Wastewater ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic permitRequired
New individual on-site wastewater systems serving residences in Perry County.
- A soil and site evaluation produces a Permit/Recommendation.
- A certified installer must install the selected system.
- A two-acre exemption or non-residential water-meter option may affect final approval or whether an IOWDS is installed.
“The Permit is required for a water meter and the installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system.”
On-Site Wastewater - Mississippi State Department of Health ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
Inspection of individual on-site wastewater systems in Perry County.
- For a new IOWDS installation, the certified installer must contact MSDH 24 hours before construction to schedule an inspection.
- The State does not require septic inspection as part of a real-estate transaction, although MSDH recommends it.
- MSDH may inspect systems after more than 30 days of use when a two-acre exemption has been filed.
“The Certified Installer is responsible for contacting the Department 24 hours BEFORE beginning construction to schedule an inspection.”
Notice of Intent: New Individual On-site Wastewater Disposal System ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
Guidelines for Securing the Services of a Water Well Driller ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
Mississippi State Department of Health Current Regulations: On-site Wastewater ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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;”
Mississippi Access Management Guide ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Mississippi Administrative Code — State Property Floodplain Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
Mississippi Department of Transportation Permit and Blanket Fees ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Start Your Business in Mississippi — County and City Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
General Campground Rules and Policies - Ross Barnett Reservoir ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Temporary camping at designated campgrounds under the jurisdiction of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.
  “Camping shall be confined to the designated campground or designated overflow areas.”
  General Campground Rules and Policies - Ross Barnett Reservoir ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026

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 Perry County.
Local zoning — Local zoning within Perry County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in unincorporated Perry County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Perry County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated Perry 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 Perry County, Mississippi

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

Perry County scores 67/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Building-permit rules for unincorporated Perry County are not published on an official source, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Mississippi State Department of Health - Division of On-Site Wastewater. 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 Perry County, Mississippi?

Land in Perry County runs about $3,656 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 63" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.2% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 78,825 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,168,360 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.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Perry County, Mississippi

At a glance

Who to call

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

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

Does Perry County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

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

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

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Watch-outs

Sources

Perry County in Mississippi

How Perry County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

Perry County rules

Mississippi rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Perry County, Mississippi

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

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

How much does land cost in Perry County, Mississippi?

What is the water situation in Perry County?

How remote is Perry County?

How Perry compares in Mississippi