Harrison County, MS Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Harrison County and its municipalities regulate fence materials through local zoning ordinances under MS Code Ann. §17-1-1 et seq. Approved residential materials include treated pine, cedar, cypress, vinyl (PVC), chain link, wrought iron, aluminum, and ornamental metal. Gulfport Code of Ordinances and Biloxi Land Development Ordinance restrict barbed wire and razor wire to agricultural, commercial, and industrial zones only, with a minimum 6-foot height requirement before barbed wire can be added. Electric fences are prohibited in residential areas except for invisible pet containment systems. Harrison County's coastal location requires hurricane-resistant construction: the Mississippi Building Code (based on IBC/IRC) requires fences in wind zones to meet specific wind load calculations, with posts embedded minimum 30 inches deep in concrete. Salt-air corrosion makes vinyl, marine-grade aluminum, and pressure-treated southern yellow pine preferred over steel. FEMA VE and AE flood zones along the Gulf Coast may restrict solid fences that impede storm surge flow; breakaway or louvered fencing is often required below Base Flood Elevation (BFE). HOAs in developments like Gulf Hills, Grand Bayou, and Diamondhead may impose additional material covenants.