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PermitRoadmap

Building permits in Biloxi

Most construction, renovation, and repair work in Biloxi, Harrison County needs a building permit from Department of Community Development (building permits and inspections). Below are the office's contact details and online portal, plus step-by-step guides for the projects homeowners ask about most, from roofing and solar to fences, sheds, pools, and HVAC.

Mississippi has no mandatory statewide residential building code. The Mississippi Building Codes Council adopts the International Residential Code and related codes as State Uniform Construction Code minimums, and since 2014 each county and municipality was to adopt one of the last three editions unless its governing body opted out by resolution (Miss. Code 17-2-4). Five coastal counties (Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, Stone, and Pearl River) and the cities in them must enforce wind and flood mitigation code requirements (Miss. Code 17-2-1). Separately, every county, for its unincorporated areas, and every municipality must require a permit as a condition to construction whether or not it has adopted codes (Miss. Code 19-5-9(11) and 21-19-25(6)), so Biloxi requires a permit, but plan review and inspections depend on what the local office has adopted. There is no statewide dollar or size exemption, so confirm with the permit office that has jurisdiction over the address in Biloxi.

Permit guides for Biloxi

Roof replacement or repairWindow or exterior door replacementSolar panel installationShed or accessory structureAddition or structural alterationInterior remodelingScreen enclosure or pool cageFence installation or replacementSwimming pool or spaPavers, driveway, or hardscapeHVAC replacement or installationElectrical panel or service upgradeStandby generator installationWater heater replacementPlumbing fixture or repipingDeck construction or replacementEV charger installationAccessory dwelling unit (ADU)Patio cover or carportPergola or trellisBathroom remodelKitchen remodelRetaining wall constructionResidential demolitionGarage conversionBasement finishing

Permit FAQs for Biloxi

Do I need a building permit in Biloxi?
Most construction, renovation, and repair work in Biloxi needs a permit, including structural changes, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, and pools. Small cosmetic work is sometimes exempt. Every project must still meet International Residential Code, in one of the last three editions adopted by the Mississippi Building Codes Council, as adopted by each county or municipality (local option, with a mandate in five coastal counties), even when a permit is not required. Check your exact project with the free PermitRoadmap check.
Who issues building permits in Biloxi?
Department of Community Development (building permits and inspections) issues permits for property inside Biloxi, Harrison County. Your mailing city is not always the authority that permits your property, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply. This page lists the department's phone, address, website, and online portal.
Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner in Biloxi?
In Biloxi, a homeowner who builds or improves his own residence, or acts as his own general contractor on it, is exempt from the State Board of Contractors residential licensing law, as long as the property is not for sale, rent, public use, or public assembly (Miss. Code 73-59-15(1)(b) and (d)). The exemption covers one single-residence permit application a year, and the local permit office still requires its own permit and may ask for the contractor and license details printed on the permit.
Is there a dollar amount under which no permit is needed in Biloxi?
Not statewide. Mississippi sets no statewide dollar threshold that waives a building permit, so whether small or cosmetic work needs a permit is decided locally. Confirm the exempt-work list and any value threshold with Department of Community Development (building permits and inspections) before you start.
How much does a permit cost and how long does it take in Biloxi?
Fees and review times are set locally and change often, so confirm the current numbers with Department of Community Development (building permits and inspections) or its online portal. Fees are usually based on the value of the work or a fixed schedule, and simple residential permits are frequently reviewed faster than new construction.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.