Gulfport, MS Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Under the City of Gulfport's short-term rental ordinance administered by the Department of Urban Development, it is unlawful to operate an STR without first obtaining a city-issued STR permit. The permit application must list the number of sleeping areas (bedrooms) and the maximum number of persons proposed to be accommodated; that declared maximum, once approved by the City, becomes the binding occupancy limit for the property and must be reflected in the posted house rules. Gulfport also requires a maintained fire extinguisher (annual inspection, five-year service) and functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and properties must carry liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate. Mississippi Code Title 17 grants home-rule authority to municipalities, and the State has not adopted a uniform STR occupancy cap, so Gulfport's permit-declared maximum (constrained by IRC/IBC bedroom egress, sanitary fixture counts, and Gulf Coast wind-zone construction) is the controlling figure. Gulfport's STR permit also limits operation outside permitted zoning districts to no more than three rentals per year of at least one month each. For the exact persons-per-bedroom standard the City applies to your application, confirm with Gulfport Planning at (228) 868-5710 before listing.