Rankin County, MS Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Initial permit fee
- $1,000 plus $500 annual renewal
- Subdivision cap
- 10% of platted lots max
- Spacing rule
- 500 feet from another rental
- Occupancy limit
- 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2
Summary
Rankin County requires every short-term rental in the unincorporated county to carry an annual permit and business license, $1,000 to start, $500 a year to renew, plus a local contact reachable within 60 minutes.
A. Annual Permit and Business License: The initial permit fee for a short term rental is $1,000 with a $500 annual renewal fee. All fees are due annually on January 1 of each year. Said permit does not transfer with ownership.
B. Proximity and Concentration of Properties: In platted subdivisions, short term rentals cannot exceed 10% of the total lots and cannot be located within 500 feet, which is measured property line to property line, of another short term rental property.
C. Inspections: Life safety and building code inspections will be conducted prior to issuance of an initial permit and prior to the issuance of an annual renewal permit.
D. Local Representative: A local property owner or designated agent, who can be on site within 60 minutes of a request, must be listed on all permit applications, and current contact information must be provided upon application.
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E. Parking: On-site parking must be provided; on-street parking is not permitted. The number of vehicles allowed is determined by the number of on-site parking spots.
F. Trash Collection: All garbage must be properly disposed of, and collection devices shall not be stored within the right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Section 420 of the county's Zoning Ordinance treats short-term rentals as a permitted use only with an annual permit: $1,000 for the initial permit and business license, $500 each year to renew, due every January 1, and non-transferable on sale. Owners must list a local representative reachable on-site within 60 minutes, provide on-site parking (street parking isn't allowed), cap occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two more, keep a renter log of name, address and age, and post house rules in the unit. In platted subdivisions, short-term rentals can't exceed 10% of the total lots or sit within 500 feet of another short-term rental. This governs unincorporated Rankin County only; Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, and the other cities regulate separately.
Violations & Fines
Violating a short-term rental permit condition draws graduated fines, $250 first offense, $500 second, $1,000 and permit revocation on a third, under Section 420.L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Rankin County?
Can I have unlimited short-term rentals in one subdivision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rankin County
Compare Rankin County to another location·View the Mississippi rental property rules overview
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