Business Licensing & Operations in Gulfport, MS (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Gulfport, Mississippi, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Adult entertainment businesses may operate only in Gulfport's I-1 and I-2 industrial zones, at least 1,000 feet from churches, schools, parks and residential lots. Operators need a $200 annual license and employees need a $50 license from urban development.
Gulfport Adult Business Zoning and License
Significant RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances § 5-342
Adult entertainment businesses shall be permitted in I-1 and I-2 zoning districts as a matter of right provided that: (a) The adult entertainment business may not be operated within one thousand (1,000) feet of: 1. A church, synagogue, mosque, temple or building which is used primarily for religious worship and related religious activities, to include funeral homes. 2. A public or private educa...
Massage Establishments
Massage parlors in Gulfport pay a $500 annual establishment license plus $25 per massagist, and cannot open before 8:30 a.m. or stay open past midnight. Each treatment room door needs a clear-glass viewing panel unless the door stays open.
Gulfport Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances § 5-199
No massage parlor or massage establishment shall be open for the business of providing massages during any day prior to 8:30 o'clock a.m. and subsequent to 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time, or such other daylight or standard time as may be applicable to the geographical territory of the city. ... The door to each room in which massages are administered shall be removed or not closed or a cl...
Tattoo & Body Modification
A tattoo parlor needs Planning Commission approval to operate in Gulfport's B-2 or B-4 business districts and is allowed by right only in the I-2 heavy industry district. Wherever it locates, the parlor and its parking lot must stay at least 1,000 feet from any church, school, funeral home, day care center, library or similar institutional use.
Gulfport Tattoo Parlor Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Zoning) § III(K)(2), Chart of Permitted Uses, "Tattoo Parlor"
A tattoo parlor will be allowed with planning commission approval in B-2 and B-4 zoning districts and allowed by right in an I-2 zoning district under the "services" category. Conditions: Any part of such establishments or facilities, including any parking lot or space used thereby, shared or otherwise, shall not be located closer than one thousand (1,000) feet to any church, school kindergarte...
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone buying used furniture, household goods, tools or building materials for resale in Gulfport must log every seller's name and address and report each purchase to police within 24 hours. Buying from a minor requires written parental consent.
Gulfport Secondhand Dealer Recordkeeping
Some RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances § 5-137
Any such dealer purchasing such secondhand or used personal property shall keep a book and write therein or cause to be written therein, in plain and legible hand in the English language, the true name and address of all persons from whom such dealer has acquired such personal property, and the character and quantity of such personal property. Such dealer... shall have a printed form statement ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Gulfport allows vehicle repairs at a house only if the car under repair is registered to the resident doing the work or an immediate family member living there. The rule sits inside the city's Property Maintenance Code amendments and is enforced as a code violation rather than through business licensing.
Gulfport Home Auto Repair Restriction
Some RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-245, Section 302.8.1 (Repair of vehicles in a residential district)
Section 302.8.1. Repair of vehicles in a residential district. Vehicles under repair in a residential zoning classification must be registered to a resident of the home or dwelling where the work is undertaken or to an immediate family member of the resident.
Towing Companies
Any towing service that removes a car from private property in Gulfport without the owner's consent needs a city license, required warning signs, and must notify police within 15 minutes, and may charge no more than $135 plus a fuel surcharge for a light-duty tow. Towing from public streets requires authorization from police, the owner, or the driver, and towing services cannot pay for referrals.
Gulfport Nonconsensual Towing Rules
Some RestrictionsGulfport Code of Ordinances § 6-519
No motor vehicle may be towed by a towing service from any public street or way, public alley or other public property except pursuant to explicit authorization from a law enforcement officer, owner of said vehicle or duly authorized driver of said vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any towing service to make a payment of any kind to any peace officer or law enforcement in return for authorizati...
Looking for Harrison County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gulfport city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Harrison County →