Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Coldwater, Mississippi

Town of Coldwater’s own rules

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town construction-permit applications inside Coldwater town limits.

  • Printable applications are to be emailed to depclerk@coldwaterms.net.
  • If a contractor was hired, the contractor is to complete and submit the application with plans, license, and bond copies.
  • Fees are supplied after submission.

  “email the completed form to depclerk@coldwaterms.net.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Coldwater

Town of Coldwater 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 inside Coldwater town limits when a centralized sewer option is not used.

  • MSDH's Division of On-site Wastewater develops policy and regulations and provides technical assistance for individual on-site wastewater disposal systems.
  • This statewide program also addresses recreational-vehicle campgrounds/lodging parks and individual water supplies.

  “This regulation has been promulgated under the authority of and pursuant to the Mississippi Individual On-site Wastewater Disposal Law”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system inside Coldwater town limits.

  • The statewide permit is also required for a water meter.

  “installation of an on-site wastewater disposal system.”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  Disposal of household wastewater inside Coldwater town limits.

  • Wastewater must pipe to a central sewer system or septic system for proper disposal.

  “No “gray water” can be discharged on the ground”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Permanent water-meter service for a property inside Coldwater town limits.

  • A permanent sewage-disposal solution must be available before a permanent water meter is received.
  • The solution can be a sewer line or septic system.
  • If public sewer is unavailable, application to MSDH is required for the proper paperwork.
  • MSDH automatically refers applications within one mile of a sewer line to connect and requires a sewer-provider rejection letter before proceeding with an on-site wastewater application.

  sewer-line referral distance: <= 1 mile (MSDH automatically refers applications within this distance to connect.)

  “State law requires you have permanent sewage disposal solution available to receive a permanent water meter. Permanent sewage disposal solutions can be a sewer line or septic system. You must have a sewer option before a water utility can make a connection to your property. If public sewer is not available in your area, you will have to apply to us for the proper paperwork.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Coldwater or Tate County directly.

• Building permit — General building work inside Coldwater town limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Coldwater town limits.
• Building code adopted — Building work inside Coldwater town limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Coldwater town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new construction inside Coldwater town 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.