Jackson, MS Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Old Capitol Green Mixed Use District (OCG-MUD) only
- Standard incorporated
- OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines, by reference
- Administered by
- Downtown Jackson Partners; filed at City Clerk's Office
- Review required
- Site Plan Review Committee approval before construction
- Max fine
- $1,000 plus costs per § 2202-A
- Last amended
- December 19, 2024
Summary
Within downtown Jackson's Old Capitol Green Mixed Use District (OCG-MUD), the Zoning Ordinance requires every building to comply with the OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines, incorporated by reference into the district's Site Design Guidelines. New developments, additions, alterations and demolitions inside OCG-MUD must follow these standards, administered by the Downtown Jackson Partners alongside the OCG Master Plan.
5. These zoning guidelines will incorporate by reference the OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines. All buildings in the OCG Mixed Use District will be required to comply with the OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines. ... 8. All new developments, enlargements, alterations or demolitions of existing buildings within the OCG-MUD will be subject to the Old Capitol Green Sustainable Design Guidelines and the Old Capitol Green Master plan. Such documents will be managed and administered by the Downtown Jackson Partners.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Jackson's citywide Zoning Ordinance does not impose a general green building code, but it creates one inside the Old Capitol Green Mixed Use District (OCG-MUD), the roughly 50-acre, 69-parcel downtown district bounded by the Pearl Street overpass, Jefferson Street, Silas Brown Street and State Street. 01-A, the district's Site Design Guidelines state that the OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines are incorporated by reference and that all buildings in the OCG Mixed Use District will be required to comply with them. 04-A). 02-A, describes a goal of ensuring buildings within OCG-MUD comply with OCG high performance green building guidelines as part of a broader push for sustainable, energy-efficient, eco-friendly construction downtown.
09-A requires the Site Plan Review Committee to approve any development or substantial change before construction begins, and all demolitions, redevelopment and new construction citywide in the Central Business District go through that review. Outside OCG-MUD, and outside the similarly worded High Street Overlay District landscaping objectives, Jackson's Zoning Ordinance, last amended December 19, 2024, does not extend a green building mandate to other residential or commercial districts.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required Site Plan Review Committee approval, or without following the incorporated OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines, blocks permit issuance for the project. Beyond that, Zoning Ordinance § 2201-A makes any violation of the Ordinance a misdemeanor, and § 2202-A sets a fine of up to $1,000 plus costs if the violation is not cured within 15 days of notice from the Zoning Administrator, with each day counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jackson require green building standards citywide?
Who enforces the OCG Sustainable Design Guidelines?
What happens if a builder ignores the OCG-MUD green standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson
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