Biloxi's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Biloxi, Mississippi, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Taxes & Fees

Biloxi requires STR operators to collect and remit Mississippi sales tax and local tourism taxes. MS Code Ann. §27-65-23 governs accommodation tax collection.

Key details: State Sales Tax: 7%. Local Tourism Tax: 1%-3% varies. Registration: MS Dept of Revenue. Authority: MS Code Ann. §27-65-23.

Failure to collect taxes: back taxes plus 10% penalty. MS DOR may assess additional fines. Interest accrues on unpaid taxes. Business license may be suspended.

Permit Requirements

Biloxi MS manages STRs in this casino resort destination. Beach tourism, casino visitors, and Keesler AFB military personnel drive strong vacation rental demand along the Gulf Coast beachfront corridor.

Key details: Casinos: Visitor demand. Beach: Gulf Coast tourism. Keesler: Military visitors. License: Business registration.

Operating without permit: $250 to $500 fine. Daily fines of $100 to $250 for continued operation. Business license revocation possible for repeat violations.

Parking Rules

Biloxi's Land Development Ordinance Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e requires one on-site parking space per short-term rental unit or per bedroom, whichever is greater. Parking plus all structures on the STR lot may not exceed 60% lot coverage, and parking must be arranged in a style reflective of single-family residential use.

Key details: Ordinance Section: 23-4-3(D)(10)e. Parking Ratio: 1 per unit or bedroom (greater). Max Lot Coverage: 60% parking + structures. Parking Style: Single-family residential. Penalty Section: 23-9-6.

Operating an STR with fewer spaces than the one-per-unit-or-bedroom ratio, or exceeding 60% lot coverage with parking and structures, violates Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e and may trigger remedies and penalties under Section 23-9-6 of the Land Development Ordinance, including Certificate of Occupancy revocation.

Occupancy Limits

Biloxi's Land Development Ordinance Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e limits short-term rentals to a maximum of four (4) units per single tax parcel and caps the cumulative total of STRs in RM-20 and RM-30 multi-family conditional-use zones at 75. The ordinance does not set a numeric per-bedroom guest cap; confirm any owner-imposed limits with Biloxi Planning at (228) 435-6266.

Key details: Ordinance Section: 23-4-3(D)(10)e. Max Units per Parcel: 4. RM-20/RM-30 Citywide Cap: 75 STRs total. Per-Bedroom Guest Cap: Not specified; confirm with Planning. Permitted Zones: CB, RB, DT, WF.

Operating more than four STR units on a single tax parcel, or operating in a prohibited single-family or marina zone, violates Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e and triggers remedies and penalties under Section 23-9-6, including Certificate of Occupancy revocation. The Certificate of Occupancy is non-transferable; ownership change requires reapplication.

Noise Rules

Biloxi applies standard noise ordinance rules to short-term rental properties. STR operators are responsible for ensuring guests comply with local quiet hours.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Operator Liability: Yes, for guest noise. Strike Policy: 3 strikes typical. House Rules: Must be posted.

First offense: warning to operator. Second offense: $200 to $500 fine. Third offense: permit suspension or revocation. Operators liable for guest violations.

The Bottom Line

Biloxi's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Biloxi is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Biloxi's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.