Southaven, MS Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Sec. 4-33 sets the contractor's part in the inspection process. A contractor who does not call for routine inspections during the construction period pays a $100 penalty for the first offense. The same penalty is assessed on the third visit for the same routine inspection that failed the two (2) previous visits. After thirty (30) days from the completion of the job, if a final inspection has not been called for, the same penalty is imposed, and no certificate of occupancy is issued until all inspections have been completed and comments addressed to the satisfaction of the building official.

The certificate of occupancy is the last stage. Sec. 4-32 provides that no new building shall be occupied until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy, and that every certificate shall state that the new occupancy complies with all provisions of the title. A change in the use or occupancy of land, or of an existing building other than for single-family dwelling purposes, needs one as well. The building official keeps a record of all certificates on file and furnishes copies on request to any person with a proprietary or tenancy interest in the land or building, if the inspection indicated compliance. Sec. 4-35 adds that before an occupancy permit issues, clearance must be obtained from the appropriate jurisdiction verifying that the building is adequately served by a safe and fully operational sewer system.

Other sections feed into the final inspection. Under Sec. 4-29, where required road improvements are not built before the permit, the owner signs an agreement to build them before the final inspection on the building, secured by a performance bond. Under Sec. 4-206(b), a homeowner doing his own work still has to obtain the required permits and the necessary inspections. Sec. 4-36 requires certain vacated or sold structures in Assembly Group A-2 or A-3, Educational Group E and Institutional Group I occupancies to be evaluated before re-occupation.

In the property maintenance provisions, Sec. 4-58 names the Planning Director as the code official, and Sec. 4-59 requires the code official to make all required inspections or accept written, certified reports from approved agencies or individuals, and to carry proper identification when inspecting.