Harrison County, MS Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Harrison County and its municipalities restrict home business signage through local zoning ordinances authorized under MS Code Ann. §17-1-1 and §17-1-3 to preserve residential neighborhood character. Gulfport Land Development Ordinance, Biloxi Code of Ordinances, and ordinances in D'Iberville, Long Beach, and Pass Christian generally prohibit exterior signs for home occupations entirely. Where signs are permitted by conditional use permit, they are typically limited to one small nameplate no larger than 1-2 square feet, non-illuminated, and mounted flat against the building. Freestanding signs, banners, flags, yard signs advertising services, and vehicle-mounted business advertising parked overnight in residential driveways are prohibited. Political signs and real estate signs receive separate treatment under First Amendment protections (Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 2015). Post-Reed, Mississippi municipalities have updated sign codes to be content-neutral while still limiting commercial signage in residential zones. Home business operators should not list their residential address in public advertising to avoid generating walk-in traffic. Sign code enforcement is handled by municipal code enforcement officers. Special provisions exist for bed-and-breakfasts in historic Biloxi and home-based professional offices (attorneys, doctors) in certain mixed-use overlay districts.