🔨 Shops and Non-Residential

🔨 Non-Residential Shop Structures

The Panola County Board of Supervisors has enacted the Non-residential Shop Ordinance, which establishes a mandatory permitting procedure for the construction or placement of a shop or storage building, thereby upholding the county’s commitment to orderly land development and the protection of public safety.

🎯 Purpose of the Ordinance

The purpose of this ordinance is to require all new nonresidential shop structures constructed or placed within the unincorporated areas of Panola County to obtain a construction permit. This measure is intended to ensure that such construction adheres to adopted safety, zoning, and structural standards, thereby protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of the county’s citizens.

📝 What is a “Non-Residential Shop Structure”?

For the purposes of this ordinance, a Shop Structure is defined as any accessory building, structure, or improvement that contains roofed space and is used primarily for:

  1. The storage of equipment, tools, or vehicles.
    2. Use as a personal or commercial workspace.

This definition applies regardless of the size of the structure and regardless of whether it is constructed on-site or off-site (e.g., a pre-fabricated unit).

✅ Permit 

Any person, firm, or entity planning to construct, erect, or place a new Shop Structure in Panola County must first obtain a valid construction permit from the designated Issuing Authority. This permit must be secured prior to the commencement of any site work or construction.

🏛️ Issuing Authority

The Panola County Land Development Office is the designated Issuing Authority for the construction permit and is also authorized to enforce this ordinance. Work started without a valid permit will result in a stop-work order and applicable penalties.

📝 Key Requirements for Permit Issuance

Before a construction permit can be issued, and before a Final Inspection is approved, the following requirements must be demonstrated or met:

Building Setbacks: The proposed shop structure must be accurately located on the site plan to ensure it meets the required minimum distance from all adjacent property lines as defined by Panola County zoning ordinances.
The required minimum setbacks from the property line are as follows:

  • Front: 50 feet (road frontage side of property)
  • Sides: 15 feet
  • Rear: 20 feet

E-911 Address Display: A valid E-911 address must be obtained from the appropriate authority and clearly posted and visible at the site entrance. This is essential for emergency response purposes.

⚡ Electrical Power Connection: All electrical work and connections must comply with the National Electrical Code and any supplemental county regulations. Permanent electrical service will only be authorized and connected upon successful completion of the Final Inspection and confirmation that all electrical installations within the shop structure meet code.

  • If Entergy is your power provider, our office will need your Entergy account number to submit a release for power.
  • If TVEPA is your power provider, our office will send a release for power directly to TVEPA once you have met all county requirements.

💰 Permit Fee Calculation

A non-refundable permit fee is required at the time the application is submitted.

How the fee is calculated:

  • Rate: $0.15 per square foot of the shop’s roofed area.
  • Minimum Charge: $100.00 (if the square footage calculation is less than $100, you still pay $100).
  • Requirement: You must submit certified dimensions of the structure so the final fee can be calculated.

🗓️ Effective Date

This ordinance took effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Panola County Board of Supervisors.

Effective Date: 12/08/25.