Rankin County declares Brandon property unfit for habitation, gives 30 days for removal

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors on March 17 declared a structure at 163 Pine Acre Place in Brandon unfit for human habitation and set a deadline of April 16 for removal and debris clearance.

The finding followed a public hearing during which county staff presented photos and a report concluding the building was unsafe. Paige Key, listed as the county's contact for the estate owner, told the board the structure was being used for storage and animal shelter and said she had arranged for a replacement mobile home and planned removal “in the next couple of weeks.”

County staff said fire coordinator Mister Ishee conducted the initial investigation and concluded the property was unsafe and should not be occupied. The board discussed a 30-day removal timeline to allow the estate to remove the structure and associated debris. County staff said if the structure and debris were not removed by April 16 the county would arrange removal and would be authorized to file a lien against the property for remediation costs.

Supervisor Brad moved the motion to declare the property unfit under Mississippi Code Annotated Section 43-35-105(c), and Supervisor Jay seconded. The motion carried by voice vote and the public hearing was closed.

The board directed county staff to monitor compliance and, if necessary, proceed with county removal and lien filing. The county attorney’s office and community development staff were referenced as responsible for documenting the record and proceeding with required actions if the owner fails to meet the deadline.

The board’s action records the county’s authority to recover cleanup costs via lien if it performs remediation.