Riparian Buffers
Biloxi Land Development Ordinance § 23-6-5(B)
in effect(B) - Riparian Buffers
(1) Intent
These riparian buffer standards are intended to protect the quality and quantity of the surface waters on which Biloxi citizens rely for drinking, storm mitigation, fishing, and the recreational and scenic functions that contribute so much to the city's economic health. Specifically, they are intended to limit development and land disturbance adjacent to surface water bodies and wetlands as necessary to protect public and private water supplies, trap sediment and other pollutants in surface runoff, promote bank stabilization, protect wetlands, protect wildlife habitat, protect fisheries, and preserve scenic beauty.
(2) Riparian Buffer Required
a. General
All new development shall maintain a 30-foot-wide vegetated riparian buffer adjacent to perennial surface water bodies shown on USGS quadrangle topographic maps and wetlands that have been delineated or are shown on National Wetland Inventory maps. The width of the buffer shall be measured perpendicular from the bank of a lake, pond, river, or stream, or the mean high water line of tidal waters, or the edge of wetlands. (See Figure 23-6-5(B)(2), Required Riparian Buffer.)
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 23-6-5(B)(2): Required Riparian Buffer
b. Exceptions
The requirement for maintenance of a riparian buffer shall not apply to the following:
1. Land within the Sand Beach (SB) Zoning District or otherwise abutting the Mississippi Sound;
2. Land within a Waterfront (WF) Zoning District;
3. Development of single-family detached dwellings, two-family dwellings, three- to four-family dwellings, or manufactured homes on lots within subdivisions for which, as of November 9, 2010, a plat has been recorded or a Preliminary Plat has been approved and is still valid; and
4. Agricultural production that is consistent with state and federal laws, and agricultural best management practices for water quality established by Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
(3) Allowable Development within Riparian Buffers
Development allowed within a riparian buffer is limited to:
a. Flood control structures;
b. Perpendicular crossings by roadways and driveways (including associated sidewalks, stormwater management facilities, and utility lines);
c. Perpendicular crossings by railroad tracks and associated maintenance corridors;
d. Perpendicular crossings by utility lines and associated maintenance corridors;
e. Bikeways and walkways, and other passive recreational facilities and uses that involve minimal removal of vegetation;
f. Stormwater management facilities and sediment and erosion control devices, where determined to be necessary by the City Engineer;
g. Temporary stream, stream bank, wetland, and vegetation restoration projects intended to restore the stream, wetland, or riparian buffer to an ecologically healthy state;
h. Water dependent structures and other structures that, by their nature, cannot be located anywhere except within a riparian buffer, such as docks, boat launches, public water supply intake structures, and public wastewater treatment plant sewer lines and outfalls;
i. Wildlife and fisheries management activities consistent with state law and programs established by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and
j. Vegetation management, including:
1. Planting of vegetation to enhance the purposes served by the riparian buffer;
2. Pruning of forest vegetation that does not compromise the vegetation's continued health and function;
3. Removal of individual trees that pose a danger to human life or nearby buildings, or as necessary to preserve other vegetation from extensive pest infestation;
4. Removal of poison ivy or other understory nuisance vegetation; and
5. Removal or disturbance of vegetation as part of emergency fire control measures.
(4) Location of Riparian Buffers in Common Areas
For developments providing common areas (including open-space set-asides), riparian buffers shall be located within such common areas and outside individual building lots, provided that riparian buffers may be located within individual building lots if:
a. The riparian buffer impacts only a limited portion of the development (e.g., less than ten lots within a subdivision);
b. There is no other reason for the formation of a homeowners association (e.g., covenant, other common areas);
c. The riparian buffer is subject to a permanent conservation or other legal instrument that provides for preservation of the buffer in compliance with the requirements of this subsection. A copy of the legal instrument shall be submitted to the Director of Community Development before the recording of a final plat creating the lot or issuance of a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for development of an existing lot.
Source: City of Biloxi, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances and Land Development Ordinance (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/biloxi/codes/land_development_ordinance?nodeId=ART23-6DEST_5ENPR_BRIBUFetched: 11/2/2026