Harrison County, MS Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- County Building Official
- Missing-permit violation
- UDC § 1409.03.07
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $100/day
- Submission required
- Lot-coverage worksheet, § 830.01
- Enforcement officer
- Zoning Officer, § 1400
Summary
Unincorporated Harrison County requires a building permit before construction: building or maintaining a structure without one is listed as a specific misdemeanor violation, fined up to $100 per day it continues.
1409.03.07 Construction of or maintaining a structure without a building permit. [§ 1409.03:] Any person, firm, corporation or any person named in Section 1409.03.02 hereof who shall knowingly and willfully violate the terms, conditions or provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction therefore shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00), an in case of continuing violations without reasonable effort on the part of the defendant to correct same, each day the violation continues thereafter shall be a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The Unified Development Code defines a 'Building Permit' as 'a certificate issued by the Building Official permitting the construction, erection or placement of a dwelling unit upon a lot of an approved recorded development, or any other building or structure constructed, erected or placed for the support, enclosure, shelter or protection of a person or persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind' (definitions, adopted 02/02/09). 03. 00 upon conviction plus court costs, and treats each day a violation continues without reasonable correction effort as a separate offense.
The Building Official is the county officer authorized to enforce the adopted building codes as they apply to construction and development within the county, while the Zoning Officer administers the underlying UDC (§ 1400) and initiates the § 1409 enforcement process, written notice, a formal Cease and Desist Order, or referral to the Sheriff or County Attorney for injunctive relief. 02 requires a scaled drawing showing the lot-coverage percentage for new construction permits.
Violations & Fines
Constructing or maintaining a structure without a building permit is a named misdemeanor under UDC § 1409.03.07, punishable under § 1409.03 by a fine of up to $100.00 plus court costs upon conviction, with continuing, uncorrected violations treated as a separate offense each day. The Zoning Officer may also issue a Cease and Desist Order under § 1409.01.02 before or alongside any criminal referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a structure in unincorporated Harrison County?
What is the penalty for building without a permit?
Who issues building permits in Harrison County?
What has to be submitted with a building permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harrison County
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