Opening the doors to a new business or moving into a freshly renovated space is exciting—but before anyone can turn the key, there’s an important approval that must be in place: a Certificate of Occupancy. This certificate verifies that a building meets safety standards and local regulations, protecting both occupants and the community. Here’s what you need to know before you move in.
A Certificate of Occupancy, or CO, as it is often referred to, is approved and issued by the Building Official, who, for Biloxi, is Community Development Director Jerry Creel. The approval is made in accordance with review procedures and construction standards listed in the Building Code and Fire Code. Approval also verifies that all other applicable city regulations comply.
A CO goes hand in hand with a Certificate of Development Compliance or a CDC. This certificate verifies that a development complies with the city requirements for the construction project, ensuring everything from site work to landscaping and lighting is adequate. In order to receive a CDC, the city ordinance states that a development must be completed in compliance with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Public Works Permit, Tree Permit, Temporary Use Permit, or Sign Permit authorizing the development as appropriate; the development complies with all applicable standards of the city’s Land Development Ordinance; and that the development complies with all other applicable city regulations. To assist with the compliance process, the Biloxi Community Development is staffed with employees who can guide residents and developers with the procedure.
Once both are issued, a business can open. However, a temporary CO and CDC may be issued by the Director for up to 90 days to allow a structure to be partially or fully occupied. Temporary certificates are issued only when appropriate conditions and safeguards are in place to protect the safety of occupants, users, and the public. If there is good cause, the Director may approve a second temporary certificate.
These certificates are an important step in ensuring that a structure is safe, compliant, and ready for use. By understanding when a certificate is required and how the process works, property owners and businesses may avoid delays and help projects move forward smoothly while protecting the safety of everyone who lives, works, and visits our community.
For more information, visit the Biloxi Community Development Department at 676 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 228-435-6280.
See the Land Development Ordinance
News & notes: Weekly report, March of the Mayor, litter pick up, Woolmarket Road
The week that was: The latest information on city projects, permits, service calls, and more from the departments of Police, Fire, Engineering, Community Development, and Public Works is posted on the city’s Weekly Reports page. To see the weekly department reports, click here.
March of the Mayors: The March of the Mayors is an event to benefit Coast food pantries. Show support by dropping off 1 lb. bags of beans to one of the collection locations through Wednesday, March 4, 2026. All donations will be distributed to food pantries across the Coast. See the flyer.
Beach clean up: The Biloxi Rotary Club is hosting a Beach Clean-up Day on Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Biloxi Lighthouse Parking Area, south of the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd. Volunteers need to bring a pair of gloves. Bags will be provided. For more details, click here.
Woolmarket Road closure: Woolmarket Road from Larkin Drive to Shriners Boulevard will be closed to through traffic starting at noon on Monday, Feb. 23 – Monday, March 23. This closure will be in effect 24 hours-a-day while work crews make repairs on the roadway bridge just west of Husley Road. For information on traffic issues and road closures, visit the Traffic page on the City’s website by clicking here.
