The Building Permits & Inspection Division supports the safety and quality of life for the residents and visitors of the City of Brandon through the enforcement of building codes and ordinances.  The permitting and inspection process promotes high quality design standards as well as the conservation, rehabilitation and reuse of the City’s existing buildings.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Building permits are required for the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion, or change in the nature of any building, structure, or swimming pool.  Permits are not required for ordinary repairs that are not structural in nature or do not involve alteration of structural features.  The Community Development staff is happy to discuss any planned projects and review what permits/approvals may be required. 

The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit:

• New residential construction, renovations and additions

• New commercial construction, renovations, additions, expansions; tenant build-outs and use conversions

• Foundation repair

• New heating and air systems

• Electrical systems, components and upgrades

• Gas pressure tests

• Swimming pools

• Accessory buildings (larger than 120 square feet)

• Signs (permanent and temporary)

• Demolition of any structure

• Manufactured Home Installations (restrictions apply)

APPLYING FOR A BUILDING PERMIT:

Permits are issued in the name of the applicant. For this reason, it is recommended that the contractor (rather than the property owner or lessee) apply for the permit. This will insure the contractor is held responsible for correcting any code violations. Commercial projects must be permitted by a Mississippi licensed contractor, registered to do business in the City of Brandon.

Building permits may be obtained by submitting to Community Development a completed application for a building permit, a site plan of the land on which the proposed work is to be done, a statement of the use or occupancy of all parts of the land and buildings, a brief description of the proposed work along with a cost estimate, two complete sets of the project construction plans, the full name and address of the property owner/applicant, and a statement that the work shall be performed in compliance with the currently adopted building codes, applicable state/local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.  The permit fee is based on total construction costs.

BUILDING INSPECTIONS:

Building inspections are conducted during construction to ensure compliance with all codes and laws.  Inspection is required upon completion of each stage of construction, including but not limited to:

• Building location

• Site preparation

• Excavation

• Footings & Foundation

• Framing & Shear Wall Bracing

• Brick Ties

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Heating & air conditioning

• Fire protection equipment

• Final inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy

BUILDING INSPECTIONS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED WHEN:

• A privilege license has been applied for

• A detached single-family dwelling is rented or leased to a tenant (application)

• A zoning certificate has been requested

It is the responsibility of the permit holder to inform Community Development when work is ready for inspection.  Inspections should be scheduled 12 hours in advance.

Existing buildings are subject to periodic inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with all codes and laws.  Occupied dwelling units can be inspected at the invitation of the occupant or where conditions on the premises threaten or present a hazard to public health, safety, or welfare.

RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTIONS:

All single family residential dwellings that are not owner occupied (which are rented or leased to a tenant) are required to be inspected by Community Development when any tenant discontinues tenancy and is replaced by a new tenant.  The dwelling will be inspected for compliance with local ordinances and the International Property Maintenance Code.  Refer to the property maintenance inspection checklist.

POOLS:
Pools (in-ground or above ground, temporary or permanent) that are 24 inches deep (or more) require a building permit and are required to be fully surrounded by an enclosure at least 48 inches in height with self-closing and self-latching gates and doors.

CONTRACTOR / SUB-CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION SYSTEM:

All residential remodeleres and builders, and all commercial contractors, are required to be adequately licensed and registered with the City of Brandon to be elligible to pull a permit.  Additionally, all Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing & Gas, Swimming Pool, Demolition and Sign Companies must be licensed and registered.

To register, please submit this form to Community Development along with the required information. 

OWNER’S BEWARE – KNOW YOUR CONTRACTOR!

The property owner can pull a permit, but beware, pulling the permit makes YOU the general contractor and, as such, responsible and personally liable for accidents on the job.  Before hiring a contractor, you may call Community Development to find out if the contractor you are considering is duly licensed and registered.

Residential Projects – State law requires any builder or superintendent to have a residential builder’s license if the home is in excess of $50,000.00.  Any person engaging in a remodel job that exceeds $10,000.00 must have a residential builder’s license or a remodeler’s license. 

Commercial Projects – State law requires any person engaging in commercial construction or construction management exceeding $50,000.00 (privately or publicly funded), must have a commercial builder’s license or a Certificate of Responsibility from the Mississippi State Contractor’s Board.

Residential builders may construct, improve, repair, remodel or renovate a commercial structure, without being required to obtain an additional license, provided the contract job does not exceed 7,500 square feet and two stories.

A copy of the Mississippi State Board of Contractors law can be obtained by visiting the State Board of Contractors website at www.msboc.us