Planning & Zoning

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The Bay Saint Louis Zoning Department assists in ensuring the Bay St Louis matures safely, efficiently, and attractively and strives to achieve quality developments, enhancing the characteristics of life for our residents, visitors, and business community.

The Zoning Department is responsible for the development of plans and regulations that result in thriving and livable neighborhoods, efficient buildings, and enhanced economic development opportunities.

Zoning activities include but are not limited to, residential, commercial, and industrial land use development ordinances, business licenses, zoning determinations, site plans, and subdivision reviews.

The Zoning Department works hand in hand with citizens, the business community, the Bay St Louis  Administration, the City Council, the Building Department, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
 


On Monday, January 5, 2026, Orion Planning and Design presented the DRAFT of the new Bay St. Louis 2045 Zoning Ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  This presentation marked the next required step in the process toward adopting a new zoning ordinance for the city.   This started a public comment period.

Bob Barber of Orion presented the draft ordinance and explained to the Commission and the public how the new document was developed.  This proposed Zoning Ordinance is based on the Bay St. Louis 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by the City Council on July 2, 2024.  A copy of the BSL 2045 Comprehensive Plan is available for review on the City's website.

The draft BSL 2045 Zoning Ordinance can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/80i0tnioy15oq6nzroc63/Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Review-and-Comment-Draft-12.23.25.pdf?rlkey=2337h63e8metswkf69uno1pxj&dl=0

The draft 2045 Zoning Map can be viewed at the the following link:

https://paxson.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=2351762ade174f53ae87ea62e78dc8cc&center=-89.378021%2C30.329475&scale=36111.909643

Frequently Asked Questions

No.  Living in an RV or camper on a lot in Bay St Louis is not permitted.  You can only use RVs or campers as temporary dwellings in designated RV parks or camper grounds that have a Bay St Louis business license. 

Fences in residential areas cannot be taller than six feet.

The minimum front yard setback is 25 feet, the minimum side yard setback is 8 feet, and the minimum rear yard setback is 20 feet, except for when the lot is on a canal, in which case the rear yard setback may be 10 feet.

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