Permits and rules for creation and kindling of fires on beach.
Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 2-50
in effectSec. 2-50. - Permits and rules for creation and kindling of fires on beach.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or group to create a fire on the sand beach of Gulfport, Mississippi, unless a permit for same has first been obtained.
(b) Any person or group desiring to create a fire on the sand beach shall obtain a permit for same as to time, place and location from the Gulfport Central Fire Station. An applicant for a permit must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and must agree to assume full responsibility for activities in connection with control of the fire and cleaning up all debris and litter resulting from the fire. Remains of a fire shall not be left covered with sand, but should be placed in the nearest waste canister on the beach. The permit shall be carried by the permittee to the Harrison County sheriff's office at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time the fire is ignited, and shall be carried at the beach at all times the fire is burning.
(c) In addition, the central fire station is requested to advise the office of the sheriff of Harrison County when a permit is issued prior to the time that a fire is ignited.
(d) Any person causing a fire to be created or kindled on the sand beach without obtaining a permit as set forth hereinabove, or violating any of the rules set forth herein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine in the amount of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00).
(e) No permit shall be issued for a fire on the sand beach of Gulfport unless the following conditions are met:
(1) The fire must be located at least one hundred (100) feet south of the seawall;
(2) The fire must be located at least one hundred (100) feet from any pier or other structure;
(3) The fire shall be composed only of wood which shall be piled no higher than three (3) feet and no wider than six (6) feet in diameter;
(4) The fire shall be kept under control at all times and shall be constantly attended by a competent person until the fire is completely extinguished;
(5) All debris shall be removed by the permittee;
(6) In addition, the city public safety official authorized to issue fire permits shall not issue such permit if a determination is made that it is unsafe to do so after consideration of the following factors:
a. The direction and intensity of the wind;
b. The amount of recent rainfall in the vicinity of the proposed fire;
c. The location of combustible structures, materials, or vegetation in the vicinity of the proposed fire, even though beyond one hundred (100) feet of the proposed fire;
d. The current pressure in the water supplies in the vicinity of the proposed fire, the location of the nearest fire hydrant, and any other factor which would affect the ability of the nearest responsible fire department to contain or control a fire.
Source: City of Gulfport, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/gulfport/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH2BODOWABE_ARTIISABE_S2-50PERUCRKIFIBEFetched: 11/1/2026