Jackson ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Jackson, Mississippi means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 12 source-cited requirements (10 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through OpenGov permitting portal (formerly ViewPoint Cloud). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Jackson. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
There is no simple by-right ADU pathway in Jackson's standard single-family neighborhoods. In the conventional residential districts the only 'accessory living quarters' provision (Zoning Ordinance § 602.02.3(7)) is a discretionary Use Permit, restricted to family members / temporary guests / domestic help, requires a recorded restrictive covenant that the unit will NEVER be leased or rented, and master-metered electric from the principal residence. True rentable accessory dwelling units are permitted only in mixed-use districts (NMU-1, etc.) and the Traditional Neighborhood Development district (≤650 sf footprint), which generally require a rezoning application + Site Plan Review. No jacksonms.gov page uses 'ADU' or publishes an ADU-specific checklist. The items below are the general residential new-construction submittals an ADU build is processed under. Confirm the zoning approval path with Planning & Development before filing.
- City of Jackson Certificate of Liability Insurancerequired
Insurance certificate for the job.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Construction Permit Application (One & Two Family Dwelling)required
The application form with square-footage calcs for heated, unheated, covered exterior, and paving.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Copy of Privilege Licenserequired
Local privilege/business license.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Copy of State Contractor's Licenserequired
Mississippi state contractor's license.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Electrical Riser Diagramrequired
Electrical riser.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - HVAC Layout with Heat Loss & Heat Gainrequired
Mechanical layout with load calcs.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Plumbing Riser Diagramrequired
Plumbing riser.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Signed Contract (Contractor & Owner)required
Executed owner-contractor contract, with total job cost and total subcontractor pricing.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Three (3) Sets of Site Drawingsrequired
Site drawings (incl. two complete sets of plans) showing water/sewer locations, silt fencing, driveway width/radius, and setbacks on all four sides.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Zoning Approval for the ADUrequiredverify locally
A Use Permit in conventional R-districts (§ 602.02.3(7)), or a permitted use plus likely rezoning/Site Plan Review in mixed-use/TND. An accessory living unit is not by-right in single-family zones.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Architect-Sealed Plansconditional
Not required for residential under three stories; required only if an architect prepares the plans.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Recorded No-Lease Covenant + Master-Metered Electric (R-district path)conditional
If using the § 602.02.3(7) accessory-living-quarters path: a recorded covenant that the unit is never leased/rented, and electric master-metered from the principal residence.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22
Jackson ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Jackson?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Jackson requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 12 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (10 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Jackson?
- Core required items include: City of Jackson Certificate of Liability Insurance; Construction Permit Application (One & Two Family Dwelling); Copy of Privilege License; Copy of State Contractor's License; Electrical Riser Diagram; HVAC Layout with Heat Loss & Heat Gain, plus 4 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Jackson?
- Jackson accepts permit submittals via OpenGov permitting portal (formerly ViewPoint Cloud). ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.