Garage conversion rules in Gulfport, MS — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage into living space in Gulfport requires a building permit from the Urban Development Building Code Service. Plans must meet the adopted Mississippi Building Code (IRC/IBC), Gulf Coast wind-load requirements, and any flood-zone elevation standards. Off-street parking lost to the conversion must be replaced per the Land Development Ordinance.
Gulfport reviews garage conversions under Code of Ordinances Chapter 3 (Buildings), Article II (Building Code), and the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) administered by the Urban Development Building Code Service at 1410 24th Avenue. Mississippi adopts the IRC/IBC family of codes statewide, and Gulfport applies the coastal wind-zone provisions (typically 140-150 mph design wind speed under ASCE 7 for the Mississippi Gulf Coast) plus FEMA elevation standards in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas through Code §3-30 (flood zone elevations). A garage-to-living-space conversion is a change of use that triggers full building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits; new habitable space must meet IRC Chapter 3 ceiling height (7 ft minimum), egress windows in any new sleeping rooms (R310), insulation per the adopted IECC, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Because the conversion removes required off-street parking, the LDO off-street parking schedule typically requires replacement parking on site before the certificate of occupancy issues. If the conversion creates a separate dwelling unit (kitchen + bath + sleeping area), it is reviewed as an accessory dwelling unit subject to the LDO's accessory-use standards, which may require minimum lot area, owner-occupancy of the principal dwelling, and additional parking. Properties in V-zones or AE-zones must be elevated and use flood-resistant materials below base flood elevation; substantial improvement (>50% of structure value) triggers full code compliance. Confirm zoning district requirements with Gulfport Planning at (228) 868-5710.
Converting a garage without a permit, removing required parking, building habitable space below base flood elevation, or omitting egress windows is a Code violation enforceable by the Building Code Service. Remedies include stop-work orders, retroactive permitting, removal, fines, and denial of the certificate of occupancy.
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