How Moss Point Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Moss Point maintains 33 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 Moss Point falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Noise Rules

Moss Point 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.

Permit Requirements

Moss Point 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.

Parking Rules

Moss Point has no STR-specific parking ordinance in Chapter 42 (Zoning). Operators must meet the off-street parking minimum for the dwelling's residential district. Confirm exact stall counts with Moss Point Zoning at 228-475-0300.

Key details: Code Source: Chapter 42 (Zoning). STR-Specific Stalls: None adopted. Standard: Residential district minimum. On-Street Use: No fire lane/sidewalk blocking. State Preemption: None.

Parking on unimproved surfaces, blocking sidewalks, fire lanes, or hydrants, or failing to meet the residential district's off-street parking minimum can be cited by Moss Point code enforcement. Confirm penalty amounts with Zoning at 228-475-0300.

Occupancy Limits

Moss Point's Code of Ordinances sets no numeric STR occupancy cap. Binding ceilings are the 2018 IBC occupant load and, on septic, MSDH design flow. Gulf Coast industry norm is two adults per bedroom plus two. Confirm with Zoning at 228-475-0300.

Key details: City Numeric Cap: None adopted. Building Code: 2018 IBC occupant load. Industry Norm: 2 per bedroom + 2. Septic Limit: MSDH design flow. State Preemption: None.

Exceeding the 2018 IBC occupant load, overloading a septic system above its MSDH design flow, or violating any future STR registration rule can trigger code enforcement and MSDH intervention. Confirm penalty amounts with Zoning at 228-475-0300.

Taxes & Fees

Moss Point 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

Moss Point'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 Moss Point is broadly strict or permissive.

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