Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Hattiesburg, MS?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Hattiesburg, MS, but only after obtaining proper registration, licensing, and passing required safety assessments. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework that officially permits short-term rentals while ensuring compliance with safety, zoning, and tax requirements. As of March 2025, Hattiesburg City Council has passed definitive ordinances that provide clear pathways for legal STR operation, though the process requires significant compliance measures including property registration, safety inspections, and ongoing municipal oversight.

The city defines short-term rentals as "occupancy of all or part of a residential dwelling unit for less than a 30-day term." This definition encompasses traditional STR platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, as well as any other rental arrangements meeting the occupancy duration criteria. While the city permits these operations, they fall under strict regulatory oversight designed to maintain neighborhood character, ensure public safety, and generate municipal revenue through appropriate taxation and licensing fees.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hattiesburg

Starting a legitimate short-term rental business in Hattiesburg requires navigating a multi-step process that begins well before listing your property on any platform. The city has implemented a phased approach that accommodates both new operators and existing rental properties, but all businesses must eventually comply with full regulatory requirements.

Step 1: Initial Property Assessment and Compliance Verification

Before making any investment or operational decisions, conduct thorough due diligence on your prospective property. Verify that the property is located in a zone where short-term rentals are permitted, as certain residential zones (particularly R-1 and R-2 classifications) face restrictions under current ordinances. Properties within 500 feet of schools, churches, or daycare facilities may face additional operational limitations, including noise ordinances and capacity restrictions.

Evaluate whether the property meets minimum safety standards that will be required during the mandatory safety assessment. Properties should have adequate off-street parking (minimum one space per bedroom), proper egress routes, functional electrical systems, and structural integrity that meets International Property Maintenance Code standards. Properties that already comply with these baseline requirements will face fewer obstacles during the inspection process.

Step 2: Business Registration and Licensing Application

Navigate to the City of Hattiesburg's official portal to begin the formal registration process. Prepare comprehensive documentation including proof of property ownership, detailed contact information for property owners and any management agents, and verification that all municipal taxes and assessments for the property are current. The registration must include specific identification numbers for all individual owners or authorized agents, typically driver's license numbers or other state-issued identification.

Complete the privilege tax license application, which serves as your primary business authorization within the city. This process requires providing detailed information about the property's location, ownership structure, and intended rental operations. For properties with complex ownership structures (corporations, partnerships, or LLCs), you must provide comprehensive information about all controlling entities and their respective officers or managing members.

Step 3: Safety Assessment and Certification

Schedule and complete the mandatory safety assessment conducted by city-designated personnel. This inspection covers comprehensive safety elements including structural integrity, electrical systems, fire safety equipment, and habitability standards. The assessment examines exterior conditions, interior systems, and compliance with established safety codes. Properties must demonstrate functionality of smoke detectors, proper electrical covers, intact windows and doors, and absence of hazardous conditions.

Address any violations identified during the initial assessment within the timeframe specified in your notice. The city allows for a "Certificate of Rental Compliance with Conditions" for non-immediate safety concerns, but all code violations must be corrected. Schedule follow-up assessments as necessary to verify compliance and obtain final certification.

Step 4: Ongoing Compliance and Tax Management

Implement systems for ongoing tax collection and remittance. Short-term rental operators must collect and remit both state and local occupancy taxes, which currently total 14% (7% state sales tax plus 7% municipal tourism tax). Establish robust accounting systems that track rental income, collect appropriate taxes from guests, and maintain detailed records for quarterly filing requirements with the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licensing and Registration Requirements

The City of Hattiesburg requires short-term rental operators to obtain several distinct permits and licenses, each with specific application processes and associated fees. The primary authorization comes through the short-term rental business license, which must be renewed annually. Accompanying this are the privilege tax license, certificate of zoning compliance, and fire safety inspection certification.

For initial applications, operators must provide proof of property ownership through properly recorded title documentation, comprehensive contact information for all property owners and management agents, and verification that all municipal debts and assessments are current. Properties must also demonstrate compliance with zoning requirements specific to short-term rental operations within their designated districts.

Safety and Compliance Documentation

Properties must obtain a Certificate of Rental Compliance through the city's safety assessment program. This certification requires evidence of proper fire safety systems, functional electrical systems, adequate ventilation, structural integrity, and compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code. The assessment includes examination of exterior conditions, interior systems, and habitability standards.

Required safety equipment includes properly functioning smoke detectors in all bedrooms, hallways adjacent to sleeping areas, and kitchen areas. Properties must have at least one smoke detector per floor level. Carbon monoxide detectors are required in properties with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Emergency egress routes must remain unobstructed, and all exterior doors must function properly for safe entry and exit.

Tax Registration and Revenue Documentation

Operators must register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for state tax collection purposes, establishing accounts for remitting state sales tax and municipal occupancy taxes. This registration enables proper tax collection from guests and ensures compliance with state revenue requirements.

Properties must maintain comprehensive records of all rental transactions, including guest registration information, rental periods, rates charged, and taxes collected. These records must be maintained for audit purposes and quarterly filing requirements. The city requires monthly tax filings even during periods with no rental activity, emphasizing the importance of consistent compliance monitoring.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Hattiesburg

Zoning and Location Restrictions

Hattiesburg's zoning framework significantly impacts where short-term rentals may operate. Properties in residential zones classified as R-1 and R-2 face the most restrictive operational requirements, including lower occupancy limits and stricter oversight. The city has implemented a density cap allowing no more than one short-term rental per 1,000 feet in approved zones, creating geographic limitations that can affect property values and investment strategies.

Properties located within 500 feet of schools, churches, or daycare facilities face additional operational restrictions, particularly regarding noise levels and guest capacity limits. These proximity-based restrictions require careful property selection and may limit operational flexibility for certain locations within the city.

Operational Requirements and Standards

Short-term rental properties must maintain designated parking spaces at a minimum ratio of one space per bedroom, with additional spaces required for properties exceeding four bedrooms. Properties must display clearly visible contact information for responsible parties and maintain guest registration systems that document rental periods and occupancy levels.

Noise ordinances apply to short-term rental properties, with restrictions on amplified sound during specified hours and requirements for maintaining peaceful enjoyment of surrounding properties. Properties must implement systems for addressing guest behavior and preventing disturbances that could generate complaints from neighbors.

Inspection and Compliance Frequencies

The city requires safety assessments every two years for all registered rental properties, with additional inspections available based on complaints or observed violations. Properties with clean compliance records and no enforcement actions may qualify for extended assessment intervals up to four years, though no property may go without assessment for more than four consecutive years.

Properties with Section 8 voucher holders may provide documentation of successful annual inspections by qualifying agencies in lieu of city safety assessments, though these properties must still meet all other registration and compliance requirements.

State-Level Regulations for Mississippi

Mississippi's state-level framework for short-term rentals establishes baseline requirements that complement local municipal regulations. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires short-term rental operators to collect and remit state sales tax at a rate of 7% on all rental transactions, regardless of whether the rental qualifies as a short-term rental under local definitions.

State income tax obligations apply to short-term rental income, with quarterly filing requirements mandatory when annual gross receipts exceed $12,000. Operators must maintain detailed financial records supporting all income and expense claims and be prepared for potential state audits of rental operations.

The state's regulatory framework generally supports local municipal authority over zoning and operational restrictions, meaning that more restrictive local regulations typically supersede state requirements. However, state tax obligations remain consistent regardless of local regulatory status, requiring all operators to maintain compliance with revenue collection and remittance requirements.

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

City of Hattiesburg Department of Urban Development

• Phone: (601) 545-4550
• Address: P.O. Box 1898, Hattiesburg, MS 39403-1898
• Primary Contact: City Clerk's Office
• Registration Portal: Available through City of Hattiesburg official website

The Department of Urban Development oversees rental property registration and safety assessments. Staff members handle safety assessment scheduling, certificate issuance, and compliance monitoring. Operators should maintain direct contact with this department throughout the registration process and for ongoing compliance questions.

Mississippi Department of Revenue

• Website: dor.ms.gov
• Tax Registration: Available through the department's online portal
• Business Tax Division: Handles short-term rental tax registration and compliance

The state revenue department provides online resources for tax registration, filing procedures, and compliance guidance. Operators can establish accounts and manage tax obligations through the department's digital platform, though initial registration may require in-person verification.

Source Links and References

• Hattiesburg City Council passes short-term rental ordinance - WDAM
• Hattiesburg Short-Term Rental Laws 2026: A Complete Guide - Jaken Finance Group
• City of Hattiesburg Rental Ordinance 6-28-2019 Draft
• Hattiesburg Council sets new rules for short-term rentals - WJTV

This comprehensive regulatory framework represents Hattiesburg's commitment to balancing economic development through tourism revenue with neighborhood preservation and public safety. Success in the short-term rental market requires understanding and maintaining compliance with these evolving regulations while providing quality accommodations that contribute positively to the community.