Airbnb Laws in Mississippi: What Hosts Need to Know

Gulfport, Mississippi STR Rules

Airbnb Laws in Gulfport, MI

With just under seven miles of man-made white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see how Gulfport attracts vacationers. As with most other states, the new best way to get away is to book a vacation rental versus a hotel or motel. With this trend, Gulfport reaps the benefits of tourism while also seeking to regulate short-term vacation rentals in order to maintain the natural character of its community.  

The full proposed short-term rental ordinance can be found on the Gulfport government website, and currently if approved would require hosts to secure liability insurance among other requirements.  

• Licensing: It is unlawful to operate a short-term rental in Gulfport without first obtaining a short-term rental permit  issued by the City of Gulfport through the Department of Urban Development.  
• Ownership: A short-term rental permit may only be issued to the owner of the property where the short-term rental is to be operated.  
• Insurance: The permittee shall secure current, valid liability insurance of $500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate  or more, whichever covers the STR’s premises.  
• Safety: Each short-term rental shall be equipped with a properly maintained and charged portable fire extinguisher, which shall be inspected annually by the permittee and serviced every five years by an approved company , and which is installed in a visible and accessible location.  Hosts of Gulfport short-term rentals must also ensure their properties are equipped with a functioning carbon monoxide detector.  
• Signage: The permittee shall prominently display the information required in paragraph C.3. Gulfport’s rental ordinance within their vacation rental property.
• Zoning: Operation of the short-term rental shall not violate any applicable deed restriction or subdivision, homeowner association, property owner association covenant, Zoning regulation, or another similar rule.   
• Taxes: The permittee shall collect all applicable charges, taxes, and fees and remit the same to the appropriate governmental entity.  
• More Information: The Mississippi Insurance Department notes in their Quick Guide to Home Insurance that a standard home insurance policy will not cover the unique situations that come with hosting a rental.  

Jackson, Mississippi Airbnb Laws

Short-term Rental Laws in Jackson, MS

Short-term rental (STR) owners in Jackson, Mississippi, are required to follow a set of regulations aimed at ensuring safety, community standards, and property upkeep. Ordinance Modifying Chapter 26, Article XII, which became effective on February 1, 2023, helps streamline property compliance and establish accountability for vacation rental owners and Airbnb hosts. Read below for the latest short-term rental laws in Jackson, MS. 

Below are the requirements for operating a short-term rental. 

• Registration: All rental properties must be registered with the Department of Planning and Development, with registration deadlines varying, depending upon the number of STRs owned. Find an Airbnb registration checklist for Jackson, MS, on the city’s website. Unregistered vacation rental properties face penalties of $500 per property. 
• Certificate of Compliance: A Certificate of Compliance is required to legally operate STRs and must be renewed annually. Certificates are issued after property registration, inspection completion, and payment of applicable fees. 
• Point of Contact: Owners are required to appoint a local agent who resides within Jackson and can respond to city inquiries or emergencies 24/7.   
• Inspections: Properties must pass inspection no later than 60 days after completing the registration application, and the City of Jackson will notify owners of inspection date/time. The percentage of units inspected depends on ownership size, with smaller owners being subject to more comprehensive checks.  
  • For owners with one to four units, all properties will be inspected; for owners of five to 29 units, at least 20% of properties will be inspected; for 30-49 units, at least 15% of properties will be inspected; and for 50 or more units, at least 10% will be inspected.  
• Tenant Eviction Cleanup: If an eviction takes place, property owners must remove the tenant’s belongings within five days and provide proof of proper disposal. Not completing this process can result in a $500 fine. Worried about Airbnb squatters? Get peace of mind with Proper’s industry-exclusive squatters’ coverage. 
• Taxes: Short-term rentals (STRs) in Jackson, MS, must collect and remit a 7% state sales tax and an additional 3% local lodging tax on the gross proceeds from room rentals within the city’s corporate limits, similar to hotel tax requirements. 
• More Information: For the latest updates, visit the City of Jackson, Mississippi’s website. 

Ocean Springs, Mississippi STR Regulations

About Ocean Springs, MS, Airbnb Laws

Oceans Springs—a haven for artists, craft folk, and nature lovers—has recently enacted new Airbnb Laws. The key addition is the requirement for all short-term rental hosts to register with the city prior to operation. In addition to this permit, owners must register with the state for tax purposes.  

Below are the requirements for operating a short-term rental. 

• Licensing: The application shall contain such information as the planning department director shall from time to time require, including, but not limited to, the location/address of the short-term rental, the number of sleeping areas therein contained, the maximum number of persons the short-term rental proposes to accommodate, the name of the property owner(s), the name, address and telephone number of the local property manager, copy of the rental agreement, proposed parking plan, house rental rules, a plan for trash management related to curbside pick-up, a copy of the proposed rental agreement information as the planning department, and signatures of all owners of record of the subject property. 
  • A $200 Ocean City STR application fee is also due, with a $50 renewal fee each year. 

• Noise Compliance: Property owners and local property managers shall ensure that the occupants of the short-term lodging rental are aware of city noise ordinances and state laws regarding disturbing the peace. 
• Point of Contact: All short-term lodging rentals shall designate a local property manager who will respond to questions or concerns 24 hours a day. The name, address, and telephone number of the local contact person shall be submitted to the planning department, building department, and city police department during the permitting process. The contact information for the local contact person shall be posted permanently inside the short-term rental unit.  
• Insurance: Applicants must ensure that the homeowner’s liability insurance coverage does not exclude short-term rentals from coverage. 
• Public Hearing: Seven days before a scheduled hearing assessing the short-term rental application, all neighbors shall be notified and allowed to testify on the matter. These comments are taken into consideration when determining whether to approve the given application.