Tiny home rules in Gautier, MS — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Jackson County treats foundation-built tiny homes as dwellings requiring minimum 600-800 square feet in most residential zones. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) classified as RVs and restricted to RV parks or campgrounds. No ADU ordinance explicitly allows tiny homes as secondary dwellings. Appendix Q of IRC (300+ sq ft minimum) applies to permanent installations. Gulf Coast hurricane wind loads and elevation requirements in flood zones apply.
Jackson County classifies tiny homes based on construction type with different regulatory pathways. Foundation-built tiny homes are treated as single-family dwellings under the 2018 IRC and Jackson County Zoning Ordinance, requiring compliance with zoning minimum square footage - typically 600-800 square feet in unincorporated residential districts (varies by zoning classification). The 2018 IRC Appendix Q 'Tiny Houses' applies to dwellings 400 square feet or less and provides modified stair, loft, and ceiling height standards. Foundation tiny homes must meet full building codes including hurricane wind loads (140+ mph ASCE 7 for coastal Jackson County), FEMA flood zone elevation requirements (critical for properties in VE, AE, and A zones covering much of coastal Jackson County including Ocean Springs, Moss Point, and Pascagoula areas), and septic/well permitting through MSDH where public utilities are unavailable. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) built on trailer chassis are classified as recreational vehicles (RVs) or manufactured homes under MS Code §75-49-1. RVs cannot be used as permanent residences in residential zones - occupancy is limited to licensed RV parks and campgrounds. Manufactured homes must meet HUD Code and can be placed on permitted lots meeting manufactured home zoning requirements. Jackson County has no adopted ADU ordinance specifically authorizing tiny homes as secondary dwellings on existing lots. Utility connections (water, sewer/septic, electrical) must meet full code. Some limited tiny home communities exist in Mississippi but Jackson County has no designated tiny home zoning overlay.
Unpermitted dwellings: removal or retroactive permit with penalty fees. THOW used as permanent residence in residential zones: zoning violations $100-$1,000 per day. Occupancy without certificate: prohibited and enforceable.
Gautier, MS
Gautier enforces quiet hours generally from 10 PM to 7 AM under local municipal ordinances authorized by MS Code Ann. §21-19-1 general police powers.
Gautier, MS
Gautier addresses barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous or excessive barking complaints are handled through ani...
Gautier, MS
Gautier regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems through local noise ordinances. Amplified sound is generally restricted during quiet hours from 1...
Gautier, MS
Gautier regulates leaf blower use primarily through general noise ordinance hours. Mississippi municipalities generally allow gas and electric blowers during...
Gautier, MS
Gautier limits construction noise to daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturdays, under local building and noise ordinances.
Gautier, MS
Gautier allows boat and RV storage on residential properties consistent with the Gulf Coast fishing lifestyle. Boat trailers are common given the city's acce...
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