Oxford permits go through the city's EnerGov portal; the Planning Commission meets the second Monday at 5 p.m. Building Department: 662-232-2304.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Oxford’s Building Department, Planning Department and Development Services pages, and Lafayette County’s Development Services page.
Inside the Oxford city limits, building permits, plan review, inspections, zoning and historic preservation are handled by the city’s Development Services Department, which has four divisions: Building, Engineering, Planning and GIS. Applications, permits and license renewals go through the city’s EnerGov online portal. Outside the city, Lafayette County issues permits.
Who to call
- Building permits and inspections: Building Department, 662-232-2304
- Zoning, subdivisions, annexation and historic districts: Planning Department, 662-232-2305, planning@oxfordms.net
- Development Services: 662-232-2315
- Outside the city limits: Lafayette County Development Services, 662-236-0237
- Apply online: City of Oxford EnerGov portal
Getting a permit in the city
The Building Department reviews residential and commercial plans, issues permits, inspects the work and issues certificates of occupancy, the city says. It enforces building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas and erosion control rules.
- Check your zoning on the city’s interactive zoning map.
- Gather the checklist for your project: the residential building checklist or commercial building checklist.
- Apply in EnerGov. The city posts guides on how to apply and search for projects.
- Pay the fees on the city’s 2026 permit fee chart (PDF) and building permit fee schedule (PDF). The chart says fees are doubled for work started before a permit is issued.
- Schedule inspections in EnerGov. A failed inspection brings a reinspection fee that rises with each failure.
Other forms on the Building Department page include the erosion control form, staking application, fire sprinkler permit and final approval application.
Which codes apply
The city enforces the 2024 International Building, Existing Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire, and Swimming Pool and Spa codes, plus the 2023 National Electrical Code. The city has made local changes to the residential code; those and the sign and erosion control ordinances are in the Oxford Code of Ordinances.
Zoning and the Planning Commission
The Planning Department handles zoning, annexation, subdividing land and historic preservation, and staffs the city’s land-use boards. Oxford’s rules are in its Land Development Code. Planning applications (plats, site plans and certificates of appropriateness) are on the applications page, and maps, including historic districts and the Vision 2037 future land use map, are on the maps page.
| Board | Regular meeting |
|---|---|
| Planning Commission | Second Monday, 5 p.m. |
| Courthouse Square Preservation Commission | First Monday, 5 p.m., City Hall front conference room |
| Historic Preservation Commission | Third Monday, 5 p.m., City Hall front conference room |
The city says all development in Oxford must go through the Planning Commission. Its submittal deadlines (PDF) set when an application must be in for a given meeting. Agendas are on the city calendar. If you see a public notice sign in a yard, the city’s sign handout (PDF) explains what each kind of request means.
Historic districts
The Historic Preservation Commission oversees the South Lamar, Depot, Jefferson Madison and North Lamar districts. The Courthouse Square district has its own commission. Changes to buildings in these districts need review; the city’s historic design guidelines set the standards. See our history and landmarks guide for the districts.
Outside the city limits
Lafayette County Development Services, at 300 N. Lamar Blvd., handles building permits, zoning and E-911 addresses for unincorporated Lafayette County, and building permits inside Abbeville. Since September 2026 the county takes applications online through GovWell, the county announced: building and trade permits, plats, rezonings, variances, grading and E-911 address requests. Paper applications are still accepted at the office. Properties in the Oxford city limits use the city’s process, not the county portal; call 662-236-0237 if you are unsure which side of the line you are on.
What this means for you
- Start with the zoning map, then apply in EnerGov.
- Never start work before the permit: the fee doubles.
- In a historic district, budget time for commission review.
- County residents use GovWell, not EnerGov.
Related: Lafayette County property taxes, road construction and closures and who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a building permit in Oxford, Mississippi?
Apply online through the city’s EnerGov citizen portal, which the Development Services Department uses for applications, permits and inspections. Questions go to the Building Department at 662-232-2304.
When does the Oxford Planning Commission meet?
The second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Agendas are posted on the city calendar.
How do I find my zoning in Oxford?
Use the city’s interactive zoning map on the Planning Department’s maps page, or call Planning at 662-232-2305.
Who issues building permits outside the Oxford city limits?
Lafayette County Development Services, 300 N. Lamar Blvd., 662-236-0237. The county takes applications online through its GovWell portal and also handles permits inside Abbeville.
Do I need approval to change a building in an Oxford historic district?
Yes. Work in the South Lamar, Depot, Jefferson Madison and North Lamar districts goes to the Historic Preservation Commission; the Courthouse Square district has its own preservation commission.
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