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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Mississippi
  6. ·
  7. Gulfport

Gulfport

Strict
MississippiUpdated Mar 18, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 9, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Gulfport are defined as stays of less than 30 days occurring more than three times per year, requiring a city permit and compliance with specific zoning and safety standards.

Restriction level

Severity 38
Classification
Strict
38
Severity

Why this classification

  • Owner-occupied required
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Gulfport, you must obtain a specific permit from the Department of Urban Development and a privilege business license. You are generally restricted to commercial and high-density districts; most single-family residential zones (R-1) require you to live on-site as your primary residence. All properties must pass a safety inspection and carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Processing time2-4 weeks

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Owner-Only: Renters cannot host; permits are only for the property owner.
  2. 2R-1 Restrictions: Operating in R-1 zones is strictly limited to owner-occupied primary residences.
  3. 3Density Caps: Mixed-use districts (MUR) may limit STRs to 25% of total residential units.
  4. 4Local Contact: You must designate a local manager who resides in Harrison, Hancock, or Jackson County and is available 24/7.
  5. 5Strict Safety: Inspections are rigorous regarding annual fire extinguisher certifications.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Gulfport prohibits STRs in the following property types: Mobile homes, Travel trailers, Tents, RV.
  • Gulfport: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Gulfport: Owner-Only: Renters cannot host; permits are only for the property owner.
  • Gulfport: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements12 rules
  • Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Gulfport: 1. Owner-Only: Renters cannot host; permits are only for the property owner. 2. R-1 Restrictions: Operating in R-1 zones is strictly limited to owner-occupied primary residences. 3. Density Caps: Mixed-use districts (MUR) may limit STRs to 25% of total residential units. 4. Local Contact: You must designate a local manager who resides in Harrison, Hancock, or Jackson County and is available 24/7. 5. Strict Safety: Inspections are rigorous regarding annual fire extinguisher certifications.
Application process9 rules
  • Gulfport STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility. Consult the official Gulfport Zoning Map and Department of Urban Development to ensure the property is in an allowed district. Time: 1-3 days.
Taxes2 rules
  • Gulfport charges a Municipal and Tourism Tax of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally remit the 7% state tax and 5% local taxes, but hosts must still register with MDOR.
  • Mississippi has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Gulfport occupancy calculation: Determined by building code and fire safety inspection based on square footage and bedroom count.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Gulfport: R-1 Restrictions: Operating in R-1 zones is strictly limited to owner-occupied primary residences.
  • Gulfport: Density Caps: Mixed-use districts (MUR) may limit STRs to 25% of total residential units.
Safety requirements2 rules
  • Gulfport: Strict Safety: Inspections are rigorous regarding annual fire extinguisher certifications.
Penalties2 rules
  • Gulfport enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: License revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
  • Gulfport: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Gulfport exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
  • Gulfport: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Gulfport

0/5
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Consult the official Gulfport Zoning Map and Department of Urban Development to ensure the property is in an allowed district.

1-3 daysFree
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain Privilege License

Apply for a city business (privilege) license at the City Clerk's office. Fees are calculated based on business type and headcount.

1-2 weeks$20
Documents needed
  • Government Photo ID
  • Tax Identification Number
Official resource
Step 3

Submit STR Permit Application

File the formal permit application with Building Code Services, including insurance certificates and ownership documentation.

2-4 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Proof of Liability Insurance ($500k)
  • Property Deed
  • Site/Floor Plans
Official resource
Step 4

Schedule Safety Inspection

Pass a mandatory inspection for fire safety (extinguishers, CO/smoke alarms) and general building code compliance.

1 weekFree
Official resource
Step 5

Register for Taxes

Set up a Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) account with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for sales and tourism tax remittance.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Business License
  • Ownership details
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

1 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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