Hinds County, MS Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- 1 acre or more disturbed
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Hinds County only
- Waterway buffer
- 25 ft, no disturbance
- Max first-offense penalty
- $10,000, development without permit
- Enforcement
- Dept. of Public Works Director
Summary
Hinds County requires a Storm Water Quality Management Permit before disturbing one acre or more of land in the unincorporated county, covering grading, erosion control and a stormwater pollution prevention plan for commercial, residential and subdivision development.
The Storm Water Quality Management Ordinance shall govern all unincorporated areas of Hinds County, Mississippi.
B. This ordinance shall be applicable to all commercial, industrial, multi-family residential, single family residential, multi-lot subdivision or site plan applications where the size of the lot or tract being developed is at least one (1) or more acres, unless eligible for an exemption under the specifications of Section 1.2.C of this ordinance. The ordinance also applies to land development activities that are smaller than the minimum applicability criteria if such activities are part of a larger common plan of development that meets the following applicability criteria, even though multiple separate and distinct land development activities may take place at different times on different schedules. In addition, all plans must also be reviewed by local environmental protection officials to ensure that established water quality standards will be maintained during and after development of the site and that post construction runoff levels are consistent with any local and regional watershed plans
C. The following development activities are exempt from the provisions of this
ordinance.
1. Any logging and agricultural activity which is consistent with an
Full Breakdown
The permit applies in unincorporated Hinds County to commercial, industrial, multi-family, single-family, subdivision and site-plan projects disturbing one acre or more, plus smaller phases of a larger common development plan. Before issuing it, the county requires review and acceptance of a Grading Plan and a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan under a Perimeter/Outfall Protection Permit, including a 25-foot no-disturbance buffer along waterways draining more than 100 acres. Sites under one acre and additions to existing single-family homes are exempt from permitting, though illicit discharges from any size site remain prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Developing without the required permit carries a civil penalty up to $10,000; work inconsistent with an approved permit or plan is up to $5,000. Each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, and repeat-violation penalties increase 50% per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this ordinance apply inside Jackson, Mississippi?
What size project needs a stormwater permit?
Is any development exempt from the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hinds County
Compare Hinds County to another location·View the Mississippi environmental rules overview
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