Harrison County, MS Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Harrison County, MS, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Under 1 acre
- 800 sq ft or 50% of home, 20 ft
- 1–3 acres
- 1,200 sq ft or 75% of home, 25 ft
- 5+ acres
- 6,000 sq ft, 30 ft height
- Max count
- 2 in R-1/R-2/R-3, 3 elsewhere
- Section
- UDC § 815.01–815.12
Summary
Harrison County caps backyard sheds and other accessory buildings by lot size: on a lot under one acre, Section 815.08 of the Unified Development Code limits an accessory building to 800 square feet (or 50% of the primary home's size, whichever is greater) and 20 feet in height.
815.01 The cumulative square footage under roof of all accessory buildings on the property shall not exceed the overall square footage of the primary residential structure. ... 815.04 There shall be no more than two (2) accessory buildings allowed per primary use in R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts and no more than three (3) accessory buildings allowed per primary use in other districts. ... 815.12 Buildings constructed on a steel chassis shall not be allowed for accessory use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
08. On lots smaller than one acre, an accessory building is capped at 800 square feet or 50% of the primary structure's size, whichever is greater, with a 20-foot height limit. On lots between one and three acres the cap rises to 1,200 square feet or 75% of the primary structure, whichever is greater, with a 25-foot height limit; on three-to-five-acre lots the cap is 4,000 square feet at 25 feet, and on lots five acres and larger it's 6,000 square feet at 30 feet.
07 requires them to sit to the side or rear of the primary building unless set back at double the required front-yard setback. 11 exempts utility enclosures of 120 square feet or less from front-yard setback requirements.
Violations & Fines
An accessory building erected, altered, or moved onto a lot without meeting the Section 815.08 size-and-height table, exceeding the two- or three-shed count in Section 815.04, or built on a steel chassis (barred outright by Section 815.12) is subject to a stop-work order and permit denial by the Harrison County zoning office until it's brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my shed be in unincorporated Harrison County?
How many sheds or accessory buildings can I have?
Are metal shipping-container or steel-frame sheds allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harrison County
How Harrison County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Harrison County to another location·View the Mississippi accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.