MS
Mississippi permits & licenses
Last verified October 15, 2026
General information, not legal advice.
License thresholds and permit rules change, and your city or county enforces the permit. Local rules vary. Anything this research could not confirm is shown as “Check with your local building department,” not as a rule you can rely on.
Contractor license
Mississippi State Board of Contractors
Residential remodeler license for improvements to an existing residence over $10,000; residential builder license for new residential construction over $50,000 (MSBOC; post-HB 1163). Commercial thresholds differ (not researched).
Licensing board
https://www.msboc.us/License lookup
https://www.msboc.us/Homeowner exemption
Summary
Homeowner exempt when building or improving own residence; limited to one single-residence permit/construction per year, after which there's a rebuttable presumption of building for sale (Miss. Code 73-59-15).
Electrical
Check with your local building department
Plumbing
Check with your local building department
HVAC
Check with your local building department
Permit notes for common projects
Permit triggers are set and enforced locally (county/city building department), under the state code listed. Always confirm with the local building department.
Governing code
Check with your local building department
Water heater
Check with your local building department
Toilet
Check with your local building department
Ceiling fan, outlet, or GFCI
Check with your local building department
Fence
Check with your local building department
Deck
Check with your local building department
Shed
Check with your local building department
What this page does not confirm
- Trade rules and all permits are unverified.
- Confirm that the $50,000 new-construction figure applies to residential builders.
Sources
- https://www.msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HB-1163-RESIDENTIAL-LICENSING-LAW-CHANGES.pdf
- https://www.msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RESIDENTIAL-LAWS-AND-RULES-REVISED-2022-WEBSITE-VERSION.pdf
- https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-73-professions-and-vocations/ms-code-sect-73-59-15/
- https://www.msboc.us/general-info/frequently-asked-questions/
Projects that hit these rules
Published by Fixit Express. Last verified October 15, 2026. Full disclaimer