Mississippi

Advocacy Opportunities

Status

Explanations

Residential

Mississippi is a home rule state and does not have a mandatory statewide residential code. The current voluntary state-recommended energy code is based on ASHRAE 90-1975.

Commercial

Mississippi does not have a mandatory statewide commercial energy code; however the state does mandate the use of ASHRAE 90-1975 for state owned, public, and high rise buildings.

Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process

The most recent energy code update occurred in July 1980.

Create a Regulatory Process

The promulgation of a statewide mandatory energy code must proceed through the state legislature.  

Anyone may submit legislation. It must pass through committee and be voted upon by both chambers of the legislature, and, of course, the governor must sign the legislation. The existing law does not mandate enforcement by localities, and any revised code would probably require adoption by local jurisdictions. To adopt the code at the local level, the local government must adopt it through a vote of the city council or county commission. Depending on the form of government, the mayor may be required to sign the law.

Improve Compliance

For state-owned and -funded buildings, the design professional works with the building commission to establish compliance. For other buildings, local units of government enforce the code through the normal inspection process. If local governments adopt the energy provisions of the Standard Building Code (SBC) (Appendix E of the SBC), enforcement is then accomplished through the permit/inspection process for new construction and additions. Depending on the size of the local government unit, the same individual may be responsible for performing both plan reviews and inspections.

The MS Development Authority has supports statewide code trainings

 

Eliminate Weakening Amendments

Add Strengthening Amendments

Allow Innovation at the Local Level

Jurisdictions can adopt the energy code by local ordinance.

Set Milestones Established

Adopt Green Codes

City Wide Program:
Starkville, Mississippi
Sustainability Policy, 2008

Program Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations 3,000 ft2 or larger must attain LEED Silver certification.   The city encourages private developers to build LEED Certified buildings.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.
LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.