2013 Mississippi Code
Title 39 - LIBRARIES, ARTS, ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
Chapter 13 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICTS AND LANDMARKS
§ 39-13-15 - Demolition by neglect; demolition of historic landmark or landmark site without review and approval by historic preservation commission

The governing authority of any county or municipality, individually or jointly, may enact local legislation governing "demolition by neglect," defined as improper maintenance or lack of maintenance of any property in a historic district, or any historic landmark or landmark site, which results in substantial deterioration of such a property and threatens its continued stability and preservation. The governing authority of any county or municipality, individually or jointly, is further authorized, in its discretion, to fine any property owner who has been found to own a property that has been determined to be threatened by demolition by neglect as defined herein. Such property owner, from the date such property is found to be in demolition by neglect by the governing authority until such repairs are made to remove the danger to the property, shall be in violation of the provisions of this section.

In addition to the powers specified in Section 21-19-11(1), a governing authority, if the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Archives and History concurs, may make repairs necessary to correct demolition by neglect, and the cost of such repairs shall become a lien against the property in accordance with Section 21-19-11(3).

If a property in a historic district or a historic landmark or landmark site is demolished without review and approval by a local historic preservation commission, the governing authority may require that the owner rebuild on the site using as much of the original building material as possible, but in general following the same form. A governing authority may specify by ordinance that unauthorized demolition of a portion of a structure shall not serve as justification for a demolition permit whenever it can be shown that restoration or rehabilitation would still be feasible.

Whenever a structure or structures is demolished without review and approval by a local historic preservation commission, the governing authority may require that no permit be issued for any structure or structures proposed for the same parcel which would require a footprint larger than the footprint of the demolished structure or structures.

If a historic landmark or landmark site of statewide or national significance is demolished without review and approval by a local historic preservation commission, the governing authority may require that no permit for any construction on the parcel from which the landmark or landmark site has been removed may be issued for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months.