Holly Springs, Mississippi Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Holly Springs, Mississippi, but under specific regulations and zoning requirements. The city permits short-term rental operations primarily through its "Bed and Breakfast" regulatory framework. Short-term rentals must operate as owner-occupied Bed and Breakfast establishments where the dwelling is the primary residence of the owner, and guests are rented rooms on a nightly basis with breakfast service provided.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Holly Springs?

Holly Springs hosts earn a median $17,493/year with $131 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $25,926+ per year.

See the full Holly Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Holly Springs

Step 1: Determine Zoning Compliance

Verify your property zoning: Short-term rentals as Bed and Breakfast operations are permitted as special exceptions in certain residential districts
Check district requirements: Review Article 5, Table of Permissible Uses to confirm your zoning district allows Bed and Breakfast operations
Confirm primary residence requirement: The property must be your primary residence

Step 2: Understand Operational Requirements

Owner-occupied requirement: At least one property owner must live on the premises regardless of ownership percentage
Nightly rental basis only: Rooms must be rented on a nightly basis
Breakfast service requirement: The only meal that may be served is breakfast, and it must be served only to guests
Primary residence designation: The dwelling must be the owner's primary residence

Step 3: Application and Approval Process

Special Exception approval required: Bed and Breakfast operations require special exception approval from the Planning Commission
Site plan submission: Prepare and submit a site plan conforming to Article 11, Section 11.2 Site Plan Standards
Public hearing: Special exception applications require public hearing before the Planning Commission
Compliance with district standards: Meet all dimensional and operational requirements for your zoning district

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Zoning and Land Use Documentation

Special Exception Application: Required for Bed and Breakfast operations
Site Plan: Conforming to Article 11, Section 11.2 standards
Property deed or ownership documentation: To verify primary residence status
Zoning compliance verification: Confirm property is in an appropriate zoning district

Operational Documentation

Business registration: As required by Marshall County
Sales tax permit: For Mississippi state tax collection
Fire safety inspection: Meeting local fire code requirements
Building occupancy permit: Ensuring safety compliance

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

Planning Commission approval documentation: Retain special exception approval
Guest registration procedures: Maintain records of overnight guests
Breakfast service documentation: If serving meals, ensure compliance with health department requirements

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Holly Springs Municipal Code)

Zoning Districts Where Bed and Breakfast is Permitted:

Based on the Table of Permissible Uses, Bed and Breakfast operations are permitted as special exceptions (□) in:

Agricultural District (A)
R-15 Low Density Residential District
R-12 Low Density Residential District
R-10 Low Density Residential District
R-7 Medium Density Residential District
RM-7 High Density Residential District

Operational Standards:

Primary Residence Requirement: Property must be owner-occupied as primary residence
Nightly Rental Only: Rooms rented exclusively on nightly basis
Limited Food Service: Only breakfast may be served, and only to guests
Special Exception Required: Must obtain Planning Commission approval

Dimensional Requirements:

Bed and Breakfast operations must comply with all district dimensional requirements including:

Setbacks: Front, side, and rear yard requirements per zoning district
Building height limitations: Per Article 5, Table of Dimensional Requirements
Lot coverage limits: Maximum percentage of lot coverage allowed
Parking requirements: 1 space per guest room plus spaces for residents

Additional Standards:

Article 10.8: Bed and Breakfast Homes are subject to specific supplemental standards
Article 11: Off-street parking requirements apply
Article 14: Signs and outdoor advertising regulations apply

County-Level Regulations (Marshall County)

No specific Marshall County short-term rental regulations were identified in the provided documentation. County-level requirements would primarily relate to general business licensing and health department regulations for food service.

State-Level Regulations (Mississippi)

State requirements for Mississippi short-term rentals include:

Sales Tax Collection: Required for all short-term rental operations
Business Registration: With Mississippi Secretary of State if operating as LLC or corporation
Health Department Permits: If serving food (breakfast)
Workers' Compensation: If employing staff

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Holly Springs Planning Department

Phone: 901-268-7566 (as noted in zoning ordinance)
Address: City Hall, Holly Springs, Mississippi
Website: hollyspringsms.gov
Planning Commission Contact: For special exception applications

Marshall County

County Health Department: For food service permits
County Clerk: For business licensing
Website: marshallco.ms.gov

Important Regulatory Notes

Non-Conforming Use Provisions

Existing short-term rental operations may have non-conforming use rights
Non-conforming uses cannot be changed to another non-conforming use
Discontinuance for six months may void non-conforming status

Historic Overlay District Considerations

Properties within Historic Overlay Districts require additional review
Holly Springs Preservation Commission approval required
Historic design standards must be maintained

Enforcement

Zoning violations enforced per Article 14 of the Zoning Ordinance
Certificate of occupancy required for operation
Regular compliance monitoring

Source Documents

Primary Source: Holly Springs Zoning Ordinance

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the provided zoning ordinance documentation. Investors should verify current regulations and obtain professional legal and planning consultation before establishing short-term rental operations in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Zoning regulations may have been updated since the provided documentation date.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Holly Springs

Holly Springs is a small, historically rich city in northern Mississippi, serving as the county seat of Marshall County. With a population of roughly 7,000 residents, it carries the unhurried pace of a traditional Southern town while offering a surprising depth of antebellum and civil rights-era history. Holly Springs is best known for its preserved 19th-century architecture, its connection to the journalist and civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, and as a convenient jumping-off point for exploring the rolling hills and parklands of north Mississippi. It sits approximately 35 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, putting a major metropolitan area, international airport, and the cultural offerings of the Mid-South within about a 45-minute drive to the northwest.

A central draw is the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum, which honors the life and work of the groundbreaking journalist, suffragist, and anti-lynching activist who was born into slavery in Holly Springs in 1862. The museum is located on the campus of Rust College, a historically Black liberal arts institution founded in 1866 and one of the oldest HBCUs in the country. Together, the museum and the broader college grounds offer visitors a meaningful look at a powerful chapter of American history.

Just a few miles south of town lies Wall Doxey State Park, a 2,700-acre Mississippi state park anchored by Lake Springs, a 60-acre lake popular for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The park's pine and hardwood forest also offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and family-friendly campgrounds, making it a year-round outdoor escape within easy reach of the city limits, roughly a 10-minute drive from the historic square.

Downtown Holly Springs itself functions as an open-air historical attraction. The town's Historic District contains dozens of preserved antebellum and Victorian homes, several of which open for seasonal tours, alongside a traditional courthouse square lined with locally owned shops, cafes, and small eateries. The surrounding region also includes a portion of the Holly Springs National Forest, where visitors can find additional hiking, hunting, and nature-watching opportunities across the wooded landscape just outside town.

Holly Springs makes a compelling base for short-term rental owners because it blends small-town charm with genuine historical and outdoor appeal, all while sitting within an easy drive of Memphis. Guests can spend their days touring antebellum homes, exploring a meaningful civil rights heritage site, paddling on a state-park lake, and still return in time for dinner on a quiet Southern square. The combination of a steady stream of heritage tourists, leaf-peepers, and weekend travelers from nearby metro areas gives the city a quiet but durable appeal for travelers seeking something more storied than a typical highway stopover.