Mississippi Cities Regulated Short-Term Rentals
Cities across Mississippi enacted new ordinances to manage short-term rental growth and local housing market impacts.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Apartments
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Mississippi municipalities are adopting new regulatory measures to address the rising prevalence of short-term rentals. While Ocean Springs has maintained a 115-property cap for over a decade, cities like Columbus and Starkville have recently established new permit and registration requirements.
Why it matters
Local officials are increasingly implementing these caps and permit systems to curb potential housing overdevelopment and rising rental prices for residents. The regulatory push comes as national rental availability continues to climb, moving from 1.1 million units in 2021 to 1.65 million by 2024.
Mississippi counties show varying market sizes, with 659 listings in Oktibbeha, 145 in Lowndes, and 83 in Clay County. Hattiesburg currently enforces a 2.5% cap on total residential properties for short-term rentals, while Columbus charges a $50 annual permit fee.
The players
Ocean Springs
A Mississippi city that has maintained a 115-property cap on short-term rentals for over a decade.
Hattiesburg
A Mississippi municipality that implemented a 2.5% cap on total residential properties for short-term rentals in March 2025.
Columbus
A city in Lowndes County that enacted an ordinance requiring an annual $50 permit for short-term rentals in October 2025.
Starkville
A city in Oktibbeha County that approved a mandatory registration ordinance for short-term rentals in July 2026.
The details
Local governments are intervening to manage the growth of rental platforms, with Starkville approving a registration ordinance in July 2026 and Columbus implementing its own permit system in October 2025. These measures aim to balance the tourism benefits of short-term housing with the necessity of maintaining inventory for long-term occupants.
Timeline
2021: National rental availability stood at 1.1 million units.
March 2025: Hattiesburg implemented a 2.5% property cap.
October 2025: Columbus implemented a rental permit ordinance.
July 2026: Starkville approved a mandatory registration ordinance.
2027: Projected national rental availability is expected to reach 1.85 million.
Culture Shift
Mississippi's regulatory moves reflect a broader societal shift toward curbing the rapid expansion of the gig-economy housing model. These efforts represent a pushback against the disruption of local rental markets caused by the national trend of increasing short-term rental availability.
Property owners in cities like Columbus and Starkville must now budget for annual permit fees and navigate registration requirements to operate legally. Residents may see a stabilization in long-term housing availability as municipalities tighten controls on conversion properties.
The takeaway
As municipalities face growing pressure on housing stock, residents should monitor local city council meetings for updates on rental permits and registration. Understanding the specific ordinances in your area is essential for both property owners and potential renters to ensure compliance.
Further reading
For more information on housing policy and local rental regulations, visit our section on Mississippi Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Commercial Dispatch.
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