Harrison County has no general rental registration program. Short-term rentals in Biloxi and Gulfport require separate permits. Long-term residential rentals follow state housing law without local registration.
Mississippi is a Dillon's Rule state, and Harrison County does not operate a countywide rental registration scheme for long-term residential rentals. The cities of Gulfport and Biloxi do not require general landlord registration for traditional leases. However, short-term rentals (under 30 days) in Biloxi require a Transient Vendor Privilege License and in Gulfport a Short-Term Rental permit — see the short-term-rentals category. All rental dwellings must meet the MS Residential Landlord and Tenant Act habitability standards under §89-8-23, including working plumbing, heating, electrical, and weatherproofing. Smoke alarms are required in all residential units under the adopted International Residential Code. Rentals built before 1978 are subject to federal EPA lead-based paint disclosure. Code enforcement is complaint-driven through city building departments.
Uninhabitable rental: tenant may terminate lease or seek repairs per §89-8-23. Missing smoke alarms: IRC violation, correction notice. Lead paint non-disclosure: federal penalties up to $16,000 per violation.
Harrison County, MS
Harrison County and cities prohibit abandoned or inoperable vehicles on streets and visible on private property. MS Code §63-23-1 et seq. governs abandoned v...
Harrison County, MS
Harrison County permits wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, and ornamental metal fences. Hurricane-rated construction preferred due to Gulf Coast exposure. Ba...
Harrison County, MS
Mississippi prohibits private ownership of inherently dangerous wild animals under MS Code §49-8-5. Permits required for certain species. Harrison County cit...
Harrison County, MS
Harrison County permits residential rainwater harvesting without restriction. Mississippi has no state law limiting rainwater collection, and the county enco...
Harrison County, MS
Harrison County requires permits to remove trees over 6-12 inch DBH in most municipalities. Live oaks are specially protected in Gulfport and Biloxi. Hurrica...
Harrison County, MS
Artificial turf generally permitted in Harrison County. No state or local ban. Gulfport and Biloxi require proper drainage due to Gulf Coast flood-prone soil...
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