Pascagoula, MS Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Unlike Florida, Mississippi has no statewide statute preempting municipal regulation of vacation rentals; cities derive STR authority from the general zoning power in Miss. Code Ann. Title 17, Chapter 1. The City of Pascagoula's Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department administers the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO, rev. 9.21.23) which governs allowed uses by zoning district, accessory uses, and home occupations. STR operators in Pascagoula are typically required to: (1) verify the use is allowed in the property's zoning district through the Planning Division, (2) obtain a City privilege license for the rental business, (3) comply with building, fire, and life-safety code applicable to transient lodging, and (4) register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue to collect and remit Mississippi's 7% state sales tax on hotel/motel/transient room rentals under Miss. Code Ann. § 27-65 (Mississippi Sales Tax Law). Some Mississippi Gulf Coast jurisdictions also levy a separate tourism or hospitality tax authorized by local-and-private legislation; STR operators should confirm whether such a tax applies to Pascagoula. Properties used as STRs may also need a Certificate of Occupancy or zoning compliance letter from the Building Division (228-938-6620). Because Pascagoula has not published a dedicated STR ordinance, operators should request a written zoning verification before listing a property on Airbnb or Vrbo.