Jackson County requires building permits for retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls over 4 feet require engineered plans stamped by a Mississippi-licensed professional engineer. Drainage design is critical due to heavy Gulf Coast rainfall averaging 65+ inches annually. Coastal setbacks apply near wetlands and tidal waters.
Jackson County regulates retaining walls under its adopted International Residential Code (IRC) Section R404 and R105. Walls 4 feet or less in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and not supporting a surcharge (driveway, structure, slope above), do not require a permit. Walls exceeding 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a building permit from Jackson County Planning and Zoning and must be designed by a Mississippi-licensed professional engineer with plans stamped. Drainage behind the wall is critical given Jackson County's heavy rainfall (65+ inches annually, with tropical system surges adding significant load); walls must include weep holes, gravel backfill, and perimeter drains. Soil conditions in coastal Jackson County, including sandy loams near the beaches and expansive clays inland, affect design. Setbacks from property lines generally match zoning district fence setbacks, typically 0 to 5 feet. Walls within the Coastal Preserve boundary, near tidal wetlands, or in MDEQ-regulated areas near the Pascagoula River, Grand Bayou, or Bayou Cumbest require MDEQ coordination and potentially USACE §404 permits for fill near jurisdictional waters. FEMA floodplain rules apply to walls in AE and VE zones.
Unpermitted wall over 4 feet: stop-work order, required engineered plans submission, fines $250 to $1,000. Wall failure causing damage to neighboring property: civil liability plus code fines. Construction in wetlands without permit: MDEQ and USACE federal enforcement, fines up to $50,000 per day.
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point limits construction noise to daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturdays, under local building and noise ordinances.
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems through local noise ordinances. Amplified sound is generally restricted during quiet hours fro...
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point addresses barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous or excessive barking complaints are handled through ...
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM. Industrial operations along the Pascagoula River and Escatawpa River corridors have separate noise exempt...
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point regulates leaf blower use primarily through general noise ordinance hours. Mississippi municipalities generally allow gas and electric blowers dur...
Moss Point, MS
Moss Point regulates driveway construction and parking through local zoning and building codes. Vehicles must not block sidewalks or public right-of-way when...
See how Moss Point's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.