Gulfport, MS Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Eastern sanctuary
- Venetian Gardens to Cowan Road extended
- Western sanctuary
- Markham Drive to Hayden Avenue extended
- Protected species
- Least terns (nesting areas)
- Violation
- Misdemeanor under state game & fish rules
- Dog restriction
- Dogs may be excluded from sanctuary areas
- Expansion
- More special-use areas allowed by amendment
Summary
Gulfport sets aside two sections of its sand beach, one east and one west, as designated least tern nesting sanctuaries. Molesting or destroying nests, or otherwise harassing the terns, is a misdemeanor punished under state law and the state fish and game commission's rules, and the city can exclude dogs from these areas entirely.
(a)The following described areas of the sand beach are hereby set aside and designated as least tern nesting areas:(1)Eastern section: That part of the Gulfport Sand Beach bounded on the north by the seawall, on the east by the centerline of Venetian Gardens extended...(2)Western section: ...bounded on the north by the seawall, on the east by the centerline of Markham Drive extended, on the south by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by the centerline of Hayden Avenue extended...(b)The least tern sanctuary area shall be governed by the following regulations:(1)Any person found molesting or destroying least tern nests, harassing the terns, or engaging in other actions adversely affecting the propagation of the least tern shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to punishment as established by law and the rules and regulations of the state fish and game commission.(2)The city council does hereby expressly request the state game and fish commission to specifically recognize the least tern nest areas herein established and to extend its protection to said areas as provided by law.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
Section 2-54 of the Sand Beach Ordinance designates two areas as least tern nesting sanctuaries: an eastern section running from the seawall south to the Gulf of Mexico between Venetian Gardens extended and Cowan Road extended, and a western section similarly bounded between Markham Drive extended and Hayden Avenue extended, both in Harrison County. Anyone who molests or destroys a least tern nest, harasses the terns, or otherwise adversely affects their propagation is guilty of a misdemeanor, with punishment set by state law and by the rules of the Mississippi fish and game commission rather than by a fixed city fine.
The city council has formally asked the state game and fish commission to specifically recognize and protect these nesting areas. The ordinance also lets the city designate additional high-use activity areas and other special-use zones by later amendment, each carrying its own regulations. This sanctuary designation connects to the beach's general rules: Section 2-51 lets the city exclude dogs, even leashed ones otherwise allowed on the beach, from wildlife sanctuary, least tern and high-use activity areas.
Violations & Fines
Molesting or destroying a least tern nest, or harassing the terns or otherwise interfering with their propagation, is a misdemeanor under Section 2-54(b)(1); the penalty is set by state law and by the Mississippi fish and game commission's own rules rather than by a dollar amount fixed in the city code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Gulfport's least tern sanctuary areas?
Can I bring my dog to the least tern sanctuary?
What happens if someone disturbs a least tern nest in Gulfport?
Can Gulfport add more protected beach areas later?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gulfport
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