How Flowood Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Flowood maintains 34 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Flowood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Noise Rules

Flowood 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.

Parking Rules

Flowood does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. Section 205.01-01 of the Flowood Zoning Ordinance requires two off-street parking spaces per single-family dwelling unit. If a property is operated as a hotel, motel, or lodging house, Section 205.01-05 instead requires one space per guest room plus one space for every two employees.

Key details: Code Section: 205.01-01 (residential). Spaces per Dwelling: 2 off-street. Lodging-Use Section: 205.01-05. Lodging Ratio: 1 per guest room + 1 per 2 employees. Parking Space Size: 9 ft x 20 ft (Sec. 601.60).

Failing to provide two off-street spaces, operating a transient lodging use without meeting Section 205.01-05 ratios, or habitually parking more than four vehicles in front of the dwelling violates the Zoning Ordinance and is enforced by Flowood Code Enforcement, with citations issuable through municipal court.

Occupancy Limits

Flowood has no STR-specific occupancy ordinance. Section 202.03-03 of the Flowood Zoning Ordinance allows renting one or two rooms within a single-family dwelling to no more than two persons (who are not part of the family). Whole-home transient rentals fall toward the hotel/motel definition in Section 601.33 (a structure with 12 or more guest rooms).

Key details: Code Section: 202.03-03. Rooms You May Rent: 1 or 2 within dwelling. Non-Family Guest Cap: 2 persons. Rooming House Threshold: 2-20 persons (1+ week). Hotel Threshold: 12+ rooms (Sec. 601.33).

Renting more than two rooms within a single-family dwelling, hosting more than two non-family guests under Section 202.03-03, operating daily transient lodging that does not meet the Section 601.33 hotel definition, or running a rooming-house-style use that takes guests by the day violates the Flowood Zoning Ordinance and is enforced by Code Enforcement.

Permit Requirements

Flowood may require registration or permits for short-term rental properties. Mississippi law leaves STR regulation primarily to local municipalities under home rule authority.

Key details: Permit Type: Business license + STR permit. Renewal: Annual. Local Contact: May be required. Authority: MS Code Ann. §21-19-1.

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

Taxes & Fees

Flowood 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.

The Bottom Line

Flowood'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 Flowood is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Flowood's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.