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Harrison County, MS Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

10-day limit on junk/inoperable vehicles
UDC § 821.02
Declared a public nuisance
UDC § 821.02
Applies to owners, tenants, occupants, lessees
UDC § 821.02
Licensed dealerships & repair shops exempt
UDC § 821.03(c)-(d)
Antiques may sit up to 12 months while restored
UDC § 821.01(c)

Summary

Unincorporated Harrison County declares any junk or inoperable vehicle a public nuisance the moment it sits on a property past ten days. UDC § 821.02 bars owners, tenants and occupants alike from storing one longer, with narrow exemptions for junkyards and licensed dealers.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Harrison County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

821.02 Declared Nuisance. All junk and inoperable vehicles within the terms of this Code are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. No person in charge or control of any property within the unincorporated County, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee or otherwise, shall park, store, leave or allow any junk or inoperable vehicle of any kind whether attended or not, on any property longer than ten (10) days.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

02, "Declared Nuisance," states: "All junk and inoperable vehicles within the terms of this Code are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. 03 carves out four exemptions: junkyards not in violation of the county's zoning code, vehicles stored in a place lawfully maintained by the county, automobile dealerships with a current occupational license on properly zoned property, and automobile repair or maintenance shops with a current occupational license on properly zoned property. 01: fully restored antiques may be kept anywhere, and antiques actively being restored may sit outdoors for up to twelve months, but never in a front or side yard, and if kept in a back yard must be at least ten feet from the property line, on an adequately maintained surface, and covered with a tarpaulin or custom cover, or otherwise screened from public view.

Violations & Fines

Keeping a junk or inoperable vehicle on property longer than ten days violates § 821.02 unless one of the § 821.03 exemptions applies. Knowingly violating any UDC provision is a misdemeanor under § 1409.03, punishable on conviction by a fine of up to $100, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense; the county may also pursue an injunction under § 1409.02.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a junk car sit on my property in unincorporated Harrison County?
No more than ten days. UDC § 821.02 declares any junk or inoperable vehicle a public nuisance and bars owners, tenants, occupants, or lessees from parking, storing, or leaving one on a property longer than that.
Are there exceptions to the ten-day rule?
Yes. Section 821.03 exempts junkyards not in violation of the zoning code, vehicles in a lawful county depository, and licensed, properly zoned automobile dealerships and repair or maintenance shops.
What about an antique car I'm restoring?
It can sit outdoors for up to twelve months during restoration, but never in a front or side yard; in a back yard it must be at least ten feet from the property line, on a maintained surface, and covered or screened from view, per § 821.01(c).
Who enforces the junk vehicle rule and what's the penalty?
County zoning enforcement acts under UDC Article XIV. A knowing violation is a misdemeanor under § 1409.03, carrying a fine of up to $100 on conviction, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Harrison County

All Harrison County rules

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