Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Pass Christian?

**Yes**, Pass Christian requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for all stays under 30 days. You need to obtain an annual permit which costs $250, and pass a safety inspection. Operating without this verified permit can result in fines. Check local ordinances for details.

What is the TOT tax rate in Pass Christian?

**9% combined tax** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Pass Christian. This includes a 7% state sales tax and a 2% Harrison County tourism tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the appropriate authorities. Check local regulations for details.

How much does an STR permit cost in Pass Christian?

**$250** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Pass Christian. You need to renew this permit yearly. Make sure to apply in advance of hosting to avoid any potential fines or penalties. Check the local government website for the permit application process.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Pass Christian?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Pass Christian, provided you obtain the required permits and comply with all local regulations. This includes obtaining a Short-Term Rental Permit and adhering to safety standards. Check with the city zoning department to confirm specific zoning allowances for your property.

Pass Christian

Moderate

MississippiUpdated Mar 26, 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

Pass Christian requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit and pass a safety inspection. Stays under 30 days are subject to a combined 9% tax (7% state sales tax and 2% Harrison County tourism tax).

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Pass Christian, you must first ensure your property is in a permitted zone, as most traditional residential R-1 zones are restricted. You will need to apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit from the city, pay an annual fee (typically $250), and pass a safety inspection that checks for smoke detectors and proper egress. You must also register with the state to collect and pay lodging taxes.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are generally prohibited in R-1 Single-Family Residential districts.
2A local contact person must be available 24/7 and reside within 50 miles of the city.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2, up to 10 total.
4Parking must be provided off-street; guests are generally not permitted to park on the grass.
5Proof of a $500,000 liability insurance policy is a mandatory application attachment.
6Failure to renew your permit annually can result in immediate revocation of your right to host.
7The 2% Harrison County Beach/Tourism tax is mandatory on top of state sales tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Pass Christian: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pass Christian prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational vehicles, Tents.
Pass Christian allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residential, Multi-family residential.

Requirements19 rules

Pass Christian: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Pass Christian, MS: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Pass Christian, MS: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Pass Christian: To host an Airbnb in Pass Christian, you must first ensure your property is in a permitted zone, as most traditional residential R-1 zones are restricted. You will need to apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit from the city, pay an annual fee (typically $250), and pass a safety inspection that checks for smoke detectors and proper egress. You must also register with the state to collect and pay lodging taxes.

Fees & costs2 rules

Pass Christian charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Pass Christian: Proof of a $500,000 liability insurance policy is a mandatory application attachment.

Taxes3 rules

Pass Christian: The 2% Harrison County Beach/Tourism tax is mandatory on top of state sales tax.
Pass Christian charges a Harrison County Tourism Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state sales tax; local tourism tax may require manual filing if not supported.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Pass Christian occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pass Christian, MS occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pass Christian limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pass Christian requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Hard-wired smoke alarms required for newer builds, Egress windows must meet code.

Penalties3 rules

Pass Christian, MS: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Pass Christian enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Up to $500. Maximum fine: 500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Pass Christian: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pass Christian, 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

4 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

Pass Christian

Moderate

MississippiUpdated Mar 26, 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 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
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 time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are generally prohibited in R-1 Single-Family Residential districts.
2A local contact person must be available 24/7 and reside within 50 miles of the city.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2, up to 10 total.
4Parking must be provided off-street; guests are generally not permitted to park on the grass.
5Proof of a $500,000 liability insurance policy is a mandatory application attachment.
6Failure to renew your permit annually can result in immediate revocation of your right to host.
7The 2% Harrison County Beach/Tourism tax is mandatory on top of state sales tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Pass Christian: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pass Christian prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational vehicles, Tents.
Pass Christian allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residential, Multi-family residential.

Requirements19 rules

Pass Christian: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Pass Christian, MS: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Pass Christian, MS: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Pass Christian: To host an Airbnb in Pass Christian, you must first ensure your property is in a permitted zone, as most traditional residential R-1 zones are restricted. You will need to apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit from the city, pay an annual fee (typically $250), and pass a safety inspection that checks for smoke detectors and proper egress. You must also register with the state to collect and pay lodging taxes.

Fees & costs2 rules

Pass Christian charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Pass Christian: Proof of a $500,000 liability insurance policy is a mandatory application attachment.

Taxes3 rules

Pass Christian: The 2% Harrison County Beach/Tourism tax is mandatory on top of state sales tax.
Pass Christian charges a Harrison County Tourism Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state sales tax; local tourism tax may require manual filing if not supported.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Pass Christian occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pass Christian, MS occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pass Christian limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pass Christian requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Hard-wired smoke alarms required for newer builds, Egress windows must meet code.

Penalties3 rules

Pass Christian, MS: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Pass Christian enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Up to $500. Maximum fine: 500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Pass Christian: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pass Christian, 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

4 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 Pass Christian?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pass Christian?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Pass Christian?

4Are short-term rentals allowed in Pass Christian?

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 Pass Christian?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pass Christian?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Pass Christian?

4Are short-term rentals allowed in Pass Christian?

Disclaimer