Mississippi Building Codes

Mississippi has NO mandatory statewide residential building code and NO statewide energy code. Code adoption is entirely LOCAL - each city and county independently decides whether to adopt and enforce codes. Mississippi State Fire Marshal has limited jurisdiction (state buildings, commercial, LP gas) and does NOT enforce residential codes. Major cities (Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Southaven, Tupelo, Meridian) have adopted IRC-based codes. Many rural areas have NO code adoption. GULF COAST POST-KATRINA: Hancock, Harrison, Jackson counties have enhanced wind/flood requirements following Hurricane Katrina (2005). Wind speeds: 150-180 mph immediate coast, 115-130 mph inland. Wind-Borne Debris Region (WBDR) on coast requires impact-resistant glazing OR shutters (ASTM E1886/E1996, Miami-Dade NOA accepted). Hurricane straps MANDATORY on Gulf Coast. Climate Zones: 2A (Gulf Coast/southern MS), 3A (northern MS - boundary approximately I-20). NO ice barrier required (zones 2A/3A - no freezing). Extensive flood zones: Gulf surge, Mississippi River, Pearl River, Yazoo (Delta), tributaries. V-zones along entire Gulf Coast. Very Heavy termite zone statewide - Formosan on coast (most destructive in US). Historic districts: Natchez (antebellum), Vicksburg (Civil War). State Board of Contractors licenses for projects >$50K only. 82 counties. base_code corrected 2026-05-18 — was none_adopted but state has municipal adoption pattern with documented IRC/IBC base