Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Marks, Mississippi

Marks’s own rules

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside the City of Marks, Quitman County, Mississippi.

  • The county's official plan identifies City of Marks as a jurisdiction covered by Annex E and states that Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county with an adopted zoning ordinance.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeNone

  Zoning minimum dwelling-size controls inside Marks city limits.

  • This finding concerns zoning controls only; building, health, and utility requirements may still apply.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• Minimum lot sizeNone

  Zoning minimum lot-size controls inside Marks city limits.

  • This finding concerns zoning controls only; subdivision, health, and utility requirements may still apply.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• SetbacksNone

  Zoning setback controls inside Marks city limits.

  • This finding concerns zoning controls only; non-zoning safety, utility, and easement constraints may still apply.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• Lot coverageNone

  Zoning lot-coverage controls inside Marks city limits.

  • This finding concerns zoning controls only; non-zoning health and utility requirements may still apply.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• Building heightNone

  Zoning building-height controls inside Marks city limits.

  • This finding concerns zoning controls only; non-zoning building or airport-safety requirements may still apply.

  “Quitman County is the only jurisdiction in the county that has adopted a zoning ordinance.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision activity inside Marks city limits.

  • The official county plan says Quitman County adopted the subdivision regulations and that its ordinance includes City of Marks.

  “Quitman County has adopted subdivision regulations. The county ordinance also includes the Town of Lambert and City of Marks.”

Rules another office applies inside Marks

Marks does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  Individual on-site wastewater systems, including septic systems, inside Marks city limits when public sewer is not used or available.

  • The Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-site Wastewater administers the state wastewater-permit process.

  “If public sewer is not available in your area, you will have to apply to us for the proper paperwork.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an individual on-site wastewater disposal system inside Marks city limits.

  • The permit is also required to obtain a water meter.

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

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Wastewater disposal for residences inside Marks city limits.

  • Wastewater must be sent to a central sewer system or septic system.
  • Gray water may not be discharged onto ground, ditches, or bodies of water.

  “All wastewater is required to pipe into a central sewer system or a septic system for proper disposal.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A permanent water-meter connection for property inside Marks city limits.

  • A permanent sewage-disposal solution must be available; it may be a sewer line or septic system.
  • If public sewer is not available, the applicant must apply to MSDH for wastewater paperwork.

  “You must have a sewer option before a water utility can make a connection to your property.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building permits inside Marks city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Marks city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside Marks city limits.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Marks city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Marks 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.