Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
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Bay Saint Louis, MS
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STR Regulations for Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed? (Explicit Overview)
Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The city has implemented a mandatory registration system that commenced in 2024 for all active STR properties. There is currently no cap or quota on the number of permitted short-term rentals; the city has stated there will be no limit on the number of VRBO/Airbnb-style properties operating.
How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bay St. Louis
- Confirm zoning and eligibility with the Bay St. Louis Building and Zoning Department before proceeding.
- Prepare the required documents (see next section).
- Submit your annual STR registration application through the city’s Building and Zoning Department.
- Pay the $100 annual registration fee upon initial registration and at each renewal.
- Maintain compliance, including safety standards, proper operation, and any ongoing inspection or renewal requirements.
- Monitor city communications; the city began accepting applications on October 1, 2024, and full enforcement began on January 1, 2025.
- Keep records of your registration certificate, fee payments, insurance, and any safety-related documentation for audits or renewals.
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
- Annual STR Registration with the City of Bay St. Louis
- Who: All short-term rental property owners in Bay St. Louis.
- Cost: $100 per year, due at registration and each renewal.
- Deadline: Enforcement commenced January 1, 2025; applications were available by mid-September 2024 and the city began accepting them October 1, 2024.
- Submit to: Bay St. Louis Building and Zoning Department.
- Safety and Operational Compliance
- The city emphasizes that STRs must be “done properly.” Expect to meet baseline safety, maintenance, and operational standards. Specific safety requirements are not detailed in the provided sources; confirm them directly with Building and Zoning.
- Tax Compliance (beyond city registration)
- State and local lodging/occupancy taxes may apply to STR income. The sources do not provide the exact local occupancy tax rate or administration; confirm obligations with the city and/or the Mississippi Department of Revenue and Hancock County tax offices.
City, County, and State Regulations
- City of Bay St. Louis
- Registration required for all STRs.
- No limit on the number of short-term rentals.
- Annual $100 registration fee; renewals required.
- Safety and proper operation standards apply.
- Applications available mid-September 2024; acceptance began October 1, 2024; enforcement began January 1, 2025.
- Hancock County
- The provided sources do not outline county-specific STR requirements. Confirm with county officials whether additional licensing, taxes, or fire/health inspections apply.
- State of Mississippi
- No statewide STR licensing regime is documented in the provided sources.
- Short-term rental operations are primarily governed by local ordinances like Bay St. Louis’s registration requirement.
- State tax obligations (e.g., sales/use tax on accommodation services) may apply; consult the Mississippi Department of Revenue for definitive guidance.
Contact Information (Local Authority)
- Bay St. Louis Building and Zoning Department
- Administrator: Jeremy Burke
- Department: Building and Zoning
- City: Bay St. Louis, MS
- Phone/Email: Not provided in the sources; contact the city via general channels (City Hall) to be directed to Building and Zoning.
- City of Bay St. Louis (general contact)
- Website: www.baysaintlouis.com
- Phone/Email: Not listed in the sources; routing through City Hall is recommended to reach Building and Zoning for STR matters.
Key Dates and Timeline
- Mid-September 2024: STR registration applications became available.
- October 1, 2024: City began accepting registration applications.
- January 1, 2025: Full enforcement of the registration ordinance began.
- Ongoing: Annual registration renewal required; maintain current documentation and pay the annual fee.
Market and Investment Context (from sources)
- Active STR Inventory: Approximately 472 active STRs.
- Occupancy Rate: About 55%.
- Strategic Position: The city markets itself as a premier Gulf Coast destination, with no cap on the number of STRs. The registration framework is intended to legitimize and ensure proper, safe operation rather than restrict inventory.
Source Links
- City of Bay St. Louis Code of Ordinances (Short-Term Rentals): library.municode.com/ms/bay_st._louis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH53SHRMRE
- WLOX News Report on Registration Requirement: www.wlox.com/2024/08/22/bay-st-louis-now-requiring-short-term-rental-properties-be-registered-through-city/
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bay Saint Louis?
Bay Saint Louis hosts earn a median $25,878/year with $210 ADR and 44% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $40,584+ per year.
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Overview of Bay Saint Louis
Bay St. Louis sits on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock County, where the Bay of Saint Louis meets the Gulf of Mexico. The small city has a population of roughly 10,000 to 12,000 residents and serves as the seat of Hancock County. It is known for its laid-back coastal character, its growing arts scene, and a streetscape of colorful cottages, galleries, and locally owned restaurants. The city functions as a gateway to the quieter western stretch of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and it lies about 60 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana, roughly an hour's drive across the bayou lowlands along US-90.
Old Town Bay St. Louis forms the heart of the city's identity. This walkable historic district along the waterfront and side streets is lined with locally owned shops, art galleries, and cafes, many housed in buildings that were carefully restored in the years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the coast in 2005. The pedestrian-friendly blocks sit a short stroll from the city's small sandy beach and the municipal harbor, giving the area a small-town feel that contrasts with the busier resort towns further east.
Just west of Bay St. Louis in neighboring Waveland, Buccaneer State Park offers a coastal escape with shaded campsites, nature trails, and direct access to the Gulf shoreline. The park is only a short drive from town and provides a more rustic, nature-oriented alternative to the in-town beachfront. A bit further afield, Gulf Islands National Seashore preserves long stretches of undeveloped beach, dune, and barrier island along this part of the Mississippi coast, with day-use areas and boat access that have made it a long-standing draw for nature lovers.
For travelers interested in a more unusual outing, the Infinity Science Center sits a short drive north of Bay St. Louis, near NASA's Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. The center offers hands-on exhibits on space exploration, Gulf Coast ecosystems, and the rocket-testing work done at the adjacent federal facility, making it a popular family-friendly complement to a beach-focused stay.
Bay St. Louis combines a small-town coastal pace with enough nearby variety to appeal to a wide range of short-term rental guests. Its proximity to New Orleans makes it a comfortable base for visitors who want Gulf beaches without the bustle of the French Quarter, and the surrounding state park, national seashore, and science center provide day-trip options in every direction. For property owners, the city's mix of walkable Old Town, easy beach access, and a steady calendar of art walks and seasonal festivals creates a year-round draw of visitors, with the warm months and shoulder seasons typically the busiest.
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