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Rankin County, MS Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Scope
Unincorporated Rankin County only
Trigger
Site plan review required first
Requirement
Drainage plan with storm water flow rates
Reviewer
Board of Supervisors approves site plan
Penalty
Up to $1,000 fine, 1 year jail

Summary

Rankin County's Zoning Ordinance requires a drainage plan showing storm drainage facilities and projected storm water flow rates whenever the county requires site plan review, covering conditional uses and commercial development in the unincorporated county only.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rankin County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

On request by the Zoning Administrator, a drainage plan showing all existing and proposed storm drainage facilities. The drainage plan shall indicate adjacent off-site drainage courses and projected storm water flow rates from off-site and on-site sources.

I. On request by the Zoning Administrator, contours at vertical intervals of five (5) feet or less.

J. Floodplain zone designations according to maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Insurance Administration, and any proposed floodway modifications.

K. Landscaped areas and planting screens required by section 404.

L. Building setback lines, building lines, and the location of all structures, existing and proposed.

M. Proposed uses of the land and buildings, if known.

N. Open space and recreation areas, when required.

O. Area (in square feet and/or acres) of parcel.

P. Proposed gross lot coverage in square feet (i.e., that portion of a lot occupied by buildings and structures).

Q. Number and type of dwelling units (where proposed).

R. A "development plan" (see Section 709.04) when staging of development is proposed including a lot take-down schedule.

S. Any additional data necessary to allow for a thorough evaluation of the proposed use.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Site plan review is required for conditional uses, all new principal buildings in the P-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I-1 and I-2 districts, and rezonings tied to a specific use. As part of that review, the Zoning Administrator can require a drainage plan covering existing and proposed storm drainage facilities, adjacent off-site drainage courses, and projected storm water flow rates. The Board of Supervisors also weighs on-site and off-site drainage, including retention ponds, before approving. This is a rule for unincorporated Rankin County only. Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, Florence, Puckett and Star each run their own codes.

Violations & Fines

Knowingly violating any zoning provision, including required site-plan drainage conditions, is a misdemeanor under Miss. Code § 17-1-27 as adopted by Section 714: up to a $1,000 fine, less than one year in jail, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply if my property is in Brandon or Pearl?
No. The county Zoning Ordinance only covers unincorporated Rankin County; Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, Florence, Puckett and Star each enforce their own separate codes.
Is a drainage plan required for every project?
No: a drainage plan is required only when the Zoning Administrator requests one as part of a site plan review under Section 709.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rankin County

All Rankin County rules

Compare Rankin County to another location·View the Mississippi environmental rules overview

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