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Biloxi

Mississippi · United States
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Biloxi Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes — operators must obtain: (1) Certificate of Occupancy, (2) Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and (3) Privilege Tax License from the City of Biloxi
Tax RateMississippi state sales tax: 7%; Biloxi local tourism tax also applies — verify current combined rate with Biloxi City Finance/Tax authority; MS Code
Night / Day CapNone confirmed — STRs defined as accommodations for under 30 days per Mississippi standard
Minimum StayUnknown — no confirmed minimum stay beyond the sub-30-day STR definition
Permit FeeCertificate of Occupancy application fee: $100; inspection fee: $50 (per Biloxi STR COO application form from biloxi.ms.us)
PenaltiesViolations subject to remedies and penalties under Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-9-6; specific fine amounts require verification via Bi
Primary Residence RequiredNo — not required; STRs are permitted in specified commercial and mixed-use zones by right; residential zones require Conditional Use Permit approval
Occupancy LimitParking-based — one on-site parking space required per STR unit or per bedroom, whichever is greater; parking plus all structures on the lot may not e
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Biloxi Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Biloxi Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Biloxi, Mississippi are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — operators must obtain: (1) Certificate of Occupancy, (2) Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and (3) Privilege Tax License from the City of Biloxi; these are non-transferable and must be re-obtain. The associated permit fees are Certificate of Occupancy application fee: $100; inspection fee: $50 (per Biloxi STR COO application .

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Biloxi

Short-term rental operators in Biloxi should be aware of these tax obligations: Mississippi state sales tax: 7%; Biloxi local tourism tax also applies — verify current combined rate with Biloxi City Finance/Tax authority; MS Code §27-65-23. Yes — Biloxi requires collection and remittance of Mississippi state sales tax and local tourism taxes; MS Code Ann. §27-65-23 governs accommodation t.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Biloxi

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Biloxi include: Primary residence requirement: No — not required; STRs are permitted in specified commercial and mixed-use zones by right; residential zones require Co. Rental day cap: None confirmed — STRs defined as accommodations for under 30 days per Mississippi standard. Occupancy limit: Parking-based — one on-site parking space required per STR unit or per bedroom, whichever is greater; parking plus all s. Minimum stay: Unknown — no confirmed minimum stay beyond the sub-30-day STR definition.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Biloxi

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Biloxi: Permitted BY RIGHT in: Community Business (CB), Regional Business (RB), Downtown (DT), and Waterfront (WF) zones. Permitted as CONDITIONAL USE in: RM-20 (Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential) and R. Density rules: Maximum 4 STR units per single tax parcel site; cumulative cap of 75 total STR units in RM-20 and RM-30 Conditional Use zones citywide (per Ordinance . Insurance: Unknown — not explicitly confirmed in available official sources; annual fire inspections by Biloxi .

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Biloxi

Hosts who fail to comply with Biloxi's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Violations subject to remedies and penalties under Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-9-6; specific fine amounts require verification via Biloxi municipal code.

Platform Obligations in Biloxi

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Biloxi: Unknown — not confirmed in available official sources; Airbnb collects and remits MS state sales tax automatically.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes — operators must obtain: (1) Certificate of Occupancy, (2) Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and (3) Privilege Tax License from the City of Biloxi; these are non-transferable and must be re-obtained upon change of ownership
Tax Registration
Yes — Biloxi requires collection and remittance of Mississippi state sales tax and local tourism taxes; MS Code Ann. §27-65-23 governs accommodation tax collection
Permit Fee
Certificate of Occupancy application fee: $100; inspection fee: $50 (per Biloxi STR COO application form from biloxi.ms.us)
Primary Residence Rule
No — not required; STRs are permitted in specified commercial and mixed-use zones by right; residential zones require Conditional Use Permit approval
Night / Day Cap
None confirmed — STRs defined as accommodations for under 30 days per Mississippi standard
Occupancy Limit
Parking-based — one on-site parking space required per STR unit or per bedroom, whichever is greater; parking plus all structures on the lot may not exceed 60% lot coverage
Tax Rate
Mississippi state sales tax: 7%; Biloxi local tourism tax also applies — verify current combined rate with Biloxi City Finance/Tax authority; MS Code §27-65-23
Zoning Restrictions
Permitted BY RIGHT in: Community Business (CB), Regional Business (RB), Downtown (DT), and Waterfront (WF) zones. Permitted as CONDITIONAL USE in: RM-20 (Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential) and RM-30 (High-Density Multi-Family Residential) zones. PROHIBITED in: AR, RS-5, RS-7.5, RS-10, RE (Residential Estate), and RER (Residential Estate Restricted) Single Family zones. Also permitted in Planned Development zones (PD-GE, PD-HB, PD-C, PD-I) subject to approved Planned Development Master Plan. STRs are PROHIBITED by any tenant or lessee in the City's harbors or marinas.
Minimum Stay
Unknown — no confirmed minimum stay beyond the sub-30-day STR definition
Density Rules
Maximum 4 STR units per single tax parcel site; cumulative cap of 75 total STR units in RM-20 and RM-30 Conditional Use zones citywide (per Ordinance No. 2537, adopted December 12, 2023)
Insurance Required
Unknown — not explicitly confirmed in available official sources; annual fire inspections by Biloxi Fire Department are mandatory
Platform Obligations
Unknown — not confirmed in available official sources; Airbnb collects and remits MS state sales tax automatically
Compliance Notes
Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e governs STRs. Ordinance No. 2537 (adopted December 12, 2023) amended this section to add cumulative limits on Conditional Use STRs in RM-20 and RM-30 zones (cap of 75 total). Certificates (COO, Zoning Compliance, Privilege Tax License) are non-transferable and require new applications upon ownership change. Annual fire inspections by Biloxi Fire Department are mandatory. Exterior signage advertising STRs is not permitted on residential properties. All lighting must be compatible with residential neighborhood character.
Effective Date
Original STR ordinance predates 2022; most recent amendment (Ordinance No. 2537) effective December 2023
Key Notes
Biloxi is a Gulf Coast casino resort destination with strong STR demand from casino visitors, beachgoers, and Keesler AFB personnel. The 75-unit cap in multi-family conditional use zones is a hard density ceiling. The 4-unit-per-parcel rule limits large-scale STR conversions. Single-family residential zones (RS, RE series) are completely off-limits for STRs.
Penalties
Violations subject to remedies and penalties under Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-9-6; specific fine amounts require verification via Biloxi municipal code
Additional Context
Mississippi does not impose statewide STR licensing requirements — all regulation is local. Biloxi's comprehensive STR framework (COO + zoning compliance + privilege tax license + annual fire inspection) is among the most structured on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. STR permits are property- and owner-specific and do not convey with sale.
Sources
City of Biloxi STR Certificate of Occupancy Application: https://biloxi.ms.us/agendas/planning/2022/STR%20COO-app.pdf
Biloxi Ordinance No. 2537 (December 2023): https://tisdaleforbiloxi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Ordinance-2537-adopted-12-12-23.pdf
Biloxi Land Development Ordinance §23-4-3(D)(10)e — City of Biloxi official site: https://www.biloxi.ms.us
MS Code Ann. §27-65-23: https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/chapter-65-sales-tax/
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Biloxi?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Biloxi but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-4-3(D)(10)e governs STRs. Ordinance No. 2537 (adopted December 12, 2023) amended this section to add cumulative limits on Conditional Use STRs in RM-20 and

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Biloxi?

Yes. Biloxi requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — operators must obtain: (1) Certificate of Occupancy, (2) Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and (3) Privilege Tax License from the City of Biloxi; these are non-transferable and must be re-obtained upon change of ownership.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Biloxi?

Short-term rental hosts in Biloxi are subject to the following tax obligations: Mississippi state sales tax: 7%; Biloxi local tourism tax also applies — verify current combined rate with Biloxi City Finance/Tax authority; MS Code §27-65-23.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Biloxi?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Biloxi may face enforcement. Violations subject to remedies and penalties under Biloxi Land Development Ordinance Section 23-9-6; specific fine amounts require verification via Biloxi municipal code.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Biloxi?

Biloxi is a Gulf Coast casino resort destination with strong STR demand from casino visitors, beachgoers, and Keesler AFB personnel. The 75-unit cap in multi-family conditional use zones is a hard density ceiling. The 4-unit-per-parcel rule limits large-scale STR conversions. Single-family residential zones (RS, RE series) are completely off-limits for STRs.

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