Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement is a service provided by Gulfport to ensure compliance with state laws, city ordinances, and zoning regulations.

• Codes/Ordinances
• State Law 21-19-11
• City Ordinances
• International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
• Ordinance 2812, Amendment to the IPMC
• Planning & Zoning Ordinances
• Tree Ordinances
• Sign Ordinances

Our Mission:

Our mission is to provide for the public health, safety, and welfare of our community through the education of our citizens, ensuring compliance with our codes and ordinances, and abatement activities. Code Enforcement strongly emphasizes voluntary compliance in order to enhance the quality of life and civic pride of our city.

Our Goals

1. Prompt, Professional, and Courteous Service.
2. Promote the public health and safety of our City.
3. Enhance the Quality of Life in our City.
4. To achieve Voluntary Compliance.

Our Process

If I have Property Maintenance Concerns, How do I report the code violation?

A complaint is typically submitted by one of the following methods:

1. Contact the City of Gulfport’s 311 System
   Just dial 311. You will be asked questions such as your name, address, phone number, type of violation, and the address of the violation.
   You can also submit a customer service request by filling out this online form, which goes directly to the 311 call center.
   Note: Your complaint will be submitted to the proper Department and tracked to completion.
   Note: If you are outside the city, please dial (228) 868-5700.
2. Telephone
   Dial (228) 868-5718 to contact the Code Office.
3. Submit a Complaint Form
   Click here for a copy of the form. Complete it and send it via email or regular mail.
   1. Email the complaint to the Code Enforcement Department (CodeEnforcement@gulfport-ms.gov).
   2. Complete the form and press send or send it via mail to:
      Code Enforcement
      2220 15th St, Gulfport, MS 39501
4. Staff Generated Complaint
   Code Enforcement generates complaints as part of the normal workday.

Note: In response to complaints, a Code Enforcement Officer will typically visit the site within 24 hours to confirm a code violation exists and start resolving the complaint.

Bid Packages:

CLICK HERE to visit our Code Enforcement bid package page for contractors.

Contractor App:

CLICK HERE to become an authorized Code Enforcement Contractor. Please fill out this application and submit it to the Code Enforcement Office.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why was my property inspected?
The City of Gulfport has two methods of Code Enforcement: Complaint-initiated or staff-generated.

Will the Inspector request entry into my home?
No. Inspectors inspect the outside of your home, building, and premises as a part of routine inspections. If an inspector needs to enter the premises, you, as the property owner, will be asked if gaining access is acceptable. If you agree, you will be asked to sign a Right of Entry Request Form prior to entry into the residence. If it is denied and the inspector needs to gain access to the residence, the inspector will go through the process of attaining a search warrant from the court system.

How will I recognize the Inspector?
Inspectors have an official City ID Badge and business cards issued by the City of Gulfport.

I need more time to comply. What should I do?
To achieve compliance, you are asked to contact the Inspector listed on the notification you received and request an extension. Inspectors routinely grant extensions to allow for project completion, hiring a contractor, special circumstances of the Owner, etc.

What if I am physically unable to do the work?
Contact the Code Office and ask for assistance. In some cases, the inspector will be aware of volunteers available to help citizens.

What if I disagree with the items in the Compliance Letter?

1. An inspector will meet you on your property at your request to explain the violation at any time prior to a Council Hearing Date or Court Date.
2. You may attend a council hearing to contest the charges.

What happens if I do not fully comply with the work orders listed in a Compliance Letter or simply do nothing?
Unless other arrangements have been made for extensions, etc., failure to resolve violations listed in formal communication may result in the issuance of a Citation/Summons, or the City may correct the violations as part of the City Council Process.

These processes may result in fines and or liens placed on a property in order to recover costs associated with correcting the violation.