Accessory Structures in Mississippi (2026)
15 rules on the books across Mississippi, 7 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
ADU Rules
Rules for building accessory dwelling units (granny flats, in-law suites) including size limits, parking requirements, and owner-occupancy rules.
Gulfport
Heavy RestrictionsGulfport's zoning ordinance flatly bars turning a garage, shed or other accessory building into a rentable living…
Read full rule →Harrison County
Significant RestrictionsA secondary living unit, a garage apartment or in-law suite, is allowed on a single-family lot in unincorporated…
Read full rule →Rankin County
Significant RestrictionsRankin County allows one accessory dwelling unit per parcel as a conditional use in certain residential and…
Read full rule →Southaven
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Southaven, Mississippi, an 'Accessory dwelling unit' is listed as a site plan review use in only one…
Read full rule →Jackson
Some RestrictionsIn Jackson's Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zoning district, guest cottages, garage apartments and other…
Read full rule →Jackson County
Some RestrictionsJackson County's Zoning Ordinance lets property owners build a garage apartment or guest house, but only as an…
Read full rule →ADU Owner Occupancy
Whether the property owner must live on-site to operate an ADU, deed-restriction requirements, and recent state-law changes lifting owner-occupancy rules.
Gulfport
Significant RestrictionsGulfport's SmartCode caps an Ancillary Dwelling Unit at 800 square feet and requires the property owner to live in…
Read full rule →Jackson
Some RestrictionsInside Jackson's Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) District, a lot may carry no more than one accessory…
Read full rule →Shed & Carport Rules
When a storage shed or carport needs a permit, the square-footage exemption thresholds, and the setback and height limits that apply either way.
Gulfport
Some RestrictionsGulfport caps a detached accessory building, a shed, garage or similar structure, at 1,000 square feet on lots under an…
Read full rule →Harrison County
Some RestrictionsHarrison County caps backyard sheds and other accessory buildings by lot size: on a lot under one acre, Section 815.08…
Read full rule →Hinds County
Some RestrictionsA shed or other accessory building in unincorporated Hinds County cannot sit in the required front or side yard of the…
Read full rule →Jackson
Some RestrictionsJackson's zoning ordinance bars any accessory structure, including a shed, from a required front or side yard and…
Read full rule →Jackson County
Some RestrictionsA shed or other accessory building in unincorporated Jackson County can't sit in the required front yard, must meet its…
Read full rule →Rankin County
Some RestrictionsRankin County requires accessory buildings like sheds, garages, and workshops to sit behind the front plane of the main…
Read full rule →Southaven
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Southaven, Mississippi, Sec. 13-13(e) holds a storage building in a residential zone to 20 feet high and…
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