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Woodville, MS

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STR Regulations for Woodville, Mississippi

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Woodville, MS?

Yes. Short‑term rentals appear to be permitted in Woodville, MS. The presence of The Joshua on 61—studio apartments offered on Airbnb as short‑term stays—demonstrates active STR operations within the city. However, no city‑specific zoning, permitting, or licensing documents were provided. Investors should confirm allowable use, parking, occupancy limits, and any historic district standards with the City of Woodville and Wilkinson County before converting or listing a property.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Woodville?

Woodville hosts earn a median $6,029/year with $136 ADR and 41% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $22,060+ per year.

See the full Woodville market breakdown

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Woodville

  • Confirm zoning and allowable use:
    • Identify the zoning of your property. If located in the Woodville Historic District (NRHP Boundary Increase III), engage the City of Woodville and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) regarding design and material standards for exterior work.
  • Notify the City and County:
    • City of Woodville: City Clerk (Business License/Permits).
    • Wilkinson County: Tax Assessor‑Collector (Hotel/Motel Tax registration) and Sheriff’s Office/County Emergency Management (as needed for safety plans).
  • Register for lodging taxes:
    • Complete the Mississippi state sales tax application (MS‑9511) and register for Hotel/Motel Tax with Wilkinson County.
  • Obtain required permits:
    • Building permit (if significant work), signage, and any fire/safety inspections. Confirm occupancy limits and egress standards.
  • Align with fire and safety standards:
    • Provide smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, posted emergency exits, and safe egress. Keep a guest safety plan.
  • Prepare amenities and operations:
    • Kitchenette or full kitchen; linens; high‑speed Wi‑Fi; on‑site or nearby parking; clear house rules; 24/7 guest communication process.
  • Platform listing:
    • Create listings (Airbnb, VRBO, direct website). Ensure occupancy caps align with building code and local rules.
  • Insurance and accounting:
    • Secure short‑term rental liability coverage and set up accounting/tax remittance for sales and lodging taxes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Business Registration/Tax ID:
    • Mississippi Sales Tax Application (MS‑9511).
    • EIN (if operating through an LLC/company).
  • Local Business License:
    • City of Woodville business license; confirm occupancy/short‑term rental endorsement if applicable.
  • Lodging Tax Registration:
    • Wilkinson County Hotel/Motel Tax registration.
  • Zoning/Use Confirmation:
    • Written confirmation from the City (and County, if applicable) that short‑term rentals are a permitted use at the property address.
  • Building/Fire Permits:
    • Building permit for conversions or renovations; fire safety inspection certificate; signage permit (if needed).
  • Guest Safety Documentation:
    • Smoke/CO detector compliance; posted emergency exits/egress plan; fire extinguisher; guest safety guide (contact info, quiet hours, parking rules, pet policy).
  • Platform Compliance:
    • Airbnb/VRBO listing details; cancellation policy; occupancy caps; taxes and fees disclosure.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City, County, and State)

  • State (Mississippi):
    • No state‑wide short‑term rental license; lodging businesses must collect and remit sales tax and applicable county Hotel/Motel Tax.
    • Safety duties fall under standard fire, building, and health codes (confirm local adoption).
  • County (Wilkinson County):
    • County lodging/Hotel‑Motels Tax applies to transient accommodations; registration with the Tax Assessor‑Collector is required.
  • City (Woodville):
    • No city‑specific STR licensing, occupancy, or zoning codes were provided in the referenced materials.
    • Existing STR operations (e.g., The Joshua on 61) imply short‑term stays are viable; however, confirm whether zoning, short‑term rental permits, guest caps, parking standards, or quiet‑hours ordinances exist locally.
  • Historic District (NRHP Boundary Increase III):
    • Several properties in the district are undergoing or intended for lodging use, including a “Bed and Breakfast” conversion (House #346). Projects within or immediately adjacent to the National Register district may trigger historic review for exterior work.
    • If your property is in or near the designated area, coordinate design approvals with the City and MDAH to avoid adverse effects to historic features.

Contact Information for Local Authority

  • City of Woodville
  • Wilkinson County (General Government and Tax Office)
  • Wilkinson County Tax Assessor‑Collector (Hotel/Motel Tax Registration)
    • Phone: 601‑888‑3541
  • Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office
    • Phone: 601‑888-3131
  • Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) – Historic Preservation
  • Mississippi Department of Revenue (Sales Tax Registration – MS‑9511)

Links to Source Pages

Practical notes for investors:

  • Document all approvals and registrations in a compliance file for lenders and insurers.
  • Verify building occupancy classification and guest caps before listing.
  • If your property is in or adjacent to the historic district, use reversible treatments for any exterior work and obtain written approvals to preserve investment value.
  • Confirm sales tax and lodging tax rates with the State and County prior to launch and set up automated remittances.

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Woodville

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Woodville Market Analysis

Photos of Woodville

Overview of Woodville

Woodville is a small, history-rich town in Wilkinson County, in the southwestern corner of Mississippi, just a few miles north of the Louisiana state line. With a population of roughly 1,000 residents, it has the quiet, tree-lined character of a Deep South county seat and serves as the cultural and governmental heart of one of Mississippi's most historically significant rural counties. Best known for its well-preserved collection of antebellum homes and its ties to the old cotton-plantation era, Woodville sits about 55 miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and roughly 45 miles south of Natchez, putting it squarely within the historic Natchez Trace corridor of the lower Mississippi region.

One of the most notable historic sites in the area is Rosemont Plantation, an antebellum home located in or near Woodville that reflects the architectural style of the Old South and is open to visitors interested in the region's plantation history. The drive from Woodville's town center to the plantation is just a few minutes, making it an easy stop for travelers exploring the county's antebellum architecture.

A short drive north, the city of Natchez offers a dense cluster of antebellum mansions, Natchez National Historical Park, and the start of the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, which winds northeast toward Nashville, Tennessee. Natchez also has riverboat casinos, bluff-top views of the Mississippi River, and a lively spring and fall festival calendar that draws visitors from across the region. From Woodville, the drive to Natchez typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find the Homochitto National Forest within easy reach of Woodville. Sprawling across parts of Wilkinson and Adams counties, the forest offers hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and horseback riding across tens of thousands of acres of pine and hardwood. Several trailheads and recreation areas can be reached in roughly 20 to 40 minutes from town, giving short-term-rental guests a way to experience the wilder side of southwest Mississippi without traveling far.

Woodville is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it offers something increasingly rare: a genuine small-town atmosphere paired with proximity to two distinct destination markets—Baton Rouge to the south and the Natchez historic-and-river corridor to the north. Guests can stay in a quiet, walkable community surrounded by antebellum architecture, day-trip to plantation homes, riverfront dining, or national-forest trails, and still reach a major Southern city within an hour's drive. That combination of historic charm, rural tranquility, and regional accessibility makes Woodville well-suited to travelers looking for an authentic slice of Old Mississippi.

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