Building Safety in Harrison County, MS (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Harrison County, Mississippi.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harrison County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Green Building Code

Commercial and industrial development in unincorporated Harrison County must earn 12 or 18 green-development points from a menu that includes LEED certification, green roofs, permeable parking and hurricane-resistant construction.

Harrison County Green Development Points

Some Restrictions

Harrison County Unified Development Code, Art. VIII, §§ 832.02-832.04, Table 832.04 (as amended through Dec. 12, 2022)

832.03 Green Development Point Requirement - Development must achieve points listed in Table 832.04 a. 12 points are required for all development in the O-1, C-1, C-2, I-1 and I-2 Districts. b. 18 points are required for all development in the C-3, C-4, and Waterfront Districts. [Table 832.04:] Green Building - The principal building meets or exceeds LEED certification for new construction... 2...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Harrison County requires a short-term rental's permit site plan to show the unit is equipped with the recommended number of carbon monoxide detectors, alongside smoke detectors, under UDC Section 834.01(a). It's a permit-file disclosure tied to the Short-Term Rental Permit, not a stand-alone fire code.

Harrison County STR CO Detector Rule

Some Restrictions

Harrison County Unified Development Code, Art. VIII, § 834.01(a) (Short Term Rentals) (as amended through Dec. 12, 2022)

The site plan shall reflect that the unit is equipped with the recommended number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Building Permits

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.

Harrison County Building Permit Requirement

Some Restrictions

Harrison County Unified Development Code, Art. XIV, §§ 1409.03, 1409.03.07 (as amended through Dec. 12, 2022)

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 dol...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Harrison County ordinances

See every category we cover for Harrison County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Harrison County Ordinance Hub →