Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Springs?

**Yes**, Ocean Springs requires a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate legally. You need to obtain this annual permit, which costs $250, to rent out your property for stays less than 30 days. This is mandated by Ordinance 13-2021, ensuring compliance with local regulations. *(53 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Springs?

**9% is the total** transient occupancy tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Ocean Springs. This consists of 7% state sales tax and 2% local tourism tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the appropriate authorities. Failure to do so can result in penalties. *(55 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Springs?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Ocean Springs, but are subject to regulations. You need to obtain a permit and adhere to occupancy limits based on bedroom count as outlined in Ordinance 13-2021. Compliance with fire safety standards is also mandatory through a required inspection. Always verify zoning regulations. *(54 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Springs?

**$250 is the annual** fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Ocean Springs. This permit is required to legally operate a short-term rental within the city limits, as mandated by Ordinance 13-2021. You must renew this permit each year to maintain compliance and avoid potential fines. *(50 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Springs?

**No**, renters are not permitted to host short-term rentals on Airbnb in Ocean Springs. The regulations require that only property owners can obtain the necessary permits to operate a short-term rental. Renters are not eligible to apply for the required Short-Term Rental Permit under Ordinance 13-2021. *(53 words)*

Ocean Springs

Moderate

MississippiUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Ocean Springs strictly regulates short-term rentals via Ordinance 13-2021, requiring an annual permit ($250) and a mandatory fire safety inspection. Hosts must collect and remit a total of 9% in taxes (7% state sales tax and 2% local tourism tax) and adhere to strict occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Ocean Springs, you must first get a permit from the City Building Department. This involves paying a $250 fee, showing proof of $500,000 in liability insurance, and passing a home inspection for fire safety. You are limited to a maximum of 10 guests, and you must register for a Mississippi sales tax ID. Be sure to display your permit number in your online listing to avoid fines.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are within the City of Ocean Springs limits; unincorporated Jackson County has different rules.
2The 2% Tourism Tax is often NOT collected by platforms like Airbnb and must be filed manually.
3A mandatory fire inspection is required before a permit is issued.
4You must have a local contact person who can respond to the property within 1 hour.
5Occupancy is strictly capped: 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, never exceeding 10 total.
6Operating without a permit results in an automatic doubling of the application fee.
7Parking must be provided off-street according to a submitted parking plan.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ocean Springs, MS: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Springs allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residential, Townhomes, Condominiums.
Ocean Springs: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Springs prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Tents, Trailers.

Requirements19 rules

Ocean Springs: You must have a local contact person who can respond to the property within 1 hour.
Ocean Springs STR warning: Occupancy is strictly capped: 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, never exceeding 10 total.
Ocean Springs requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Building Department. Processing time: 14-30 days. Renewal is required.

Application process12 rules

Ocean Springs: Parking must be provided off-street according to a submitted parking plan.
Ocean Springs, MS extended permit requirement: Inspection fee included in initial; $100 for re-inspections if failed.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ocean Springs charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Inspection fee included in initial; $100 for re-inspections if failed.).
Ocean Springs: Operating without a permit results in an automatic doubling of the application fee.

Taxes3 rules

Ocean Springs charges a Tourism and Sales Tax of 9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO remit the 7% state tax; hosts often must manually remit the 2% Ocean Springs Tourism Tax.
Ocean Springs: The 2% Tourism Tax is often NOT collected by platforms like Airbnb and must be filed manually.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Ocean Springs: Verify you are within the City of Ocean Springs limits; unincorporated Jackson County has different rules.
Ocean Springs enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Ocean Springs, MS occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute max 10 per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Ocean Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Interconnected smoke alarms, Property must have at least one 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher.
Ocean Springs: A mandatory fire inspection is required before a permit is issued.

Penalties3 rules

Ocean Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ocean Springs enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: $1,000 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Ocean Springs exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ocean Springs, MS: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 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

Ocean Springs

Moderate

MississippiUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are within the City of Ocean Springs limits; unincorporated Jackson County has different rules.
2The 2% Tourism Tax is often NOT collected by platforms like Airbnb and must be filed manually.
3A mandatory fire inspection is required before a permit is issued.
4You must have a local contact person who can respond to the property within 1 hour.
5Occupancy is strictly capped: 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, never exceeding 10 total.
6Operating without a permit results in an automatic doubling of the application fee.
7Parking must be provided off-street according to a submitted parking plan.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ocean Springs, MS: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Springs allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residential, Townhomes, Condominiums.
Ocean Springs: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ocean Springs prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Tents, Trailers.

Requirements19 rules

Ocean Springs: You must have a local contact person who can respond to the property within 1 hour.
Ocean Springs STR warning: Occupancy is strictly capped: 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, never exceeding 10 total.
Ocean Springs requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Building Department. Processing time: 14-30 days. Renewal is required.

Application process12 rules

Ocean Springs: Parking must be provided off-street according to a submitted parking plan.
Ocean Springs, MS extended permit requirement: Inspection fee included in initial; $100 for re-inspections if failed.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ocean Springs charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Inspection fee included in initial; $100 for re-inspections if failed.).
Ocean Springs: Operating without a permit results in an automatic doubling of the application fee.

Taxes3 rules

Ocean Springs charges a Tourism and Sales Tax of 9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO remit the 7% state tax; hosts often must manually remit the 2% Ocean Springs Tourism Tax.
Ocean Springs: The 2% Tourism Tax is often NOT collected by platforms like Airbnb and must be filed manually.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Ocean Springs: Verify you are within the City of Ocean Springs limits; unincorporated Jackson County has different rules.
Ocean Springs enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Ocean Springs, MS occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute max 10 per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Ocean Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Interconnected smoke alarms, Property must have at least one 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher.
Ocean Springs: A mandatory fire inspection is required before a permit is issued.

Penalties3 rules

Ocean Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ocean Springs enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: $1,000 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Ocean Springs exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ocean Springs, MS: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Springs?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Springs?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Springs?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Springs?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ocean Springs?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ocean Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ocean Springs?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ocean Springs?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ocean Springs?

Disclaimer