4.6.
City of Biloxi
Local Jurisdictions Plans and Programs
The City of Biloxi is located on the southern end of Harrison County and is one
of the County’s County Seats. The city spans 46.5 square miles, of which
18 percent is water.
The planning tools used by the study area jurisdictions were analyzed and
categorized as permanent, semi‐permanent, or conditional. In Mississippi
authority to regulate land use is delegated by the state to counties and
municipalities. The nature of a jurisdiction’s authority to regulate local land
use depends on that jurisdiction’s local government.
The following is a review of the existing planning tools utilized by the City of
Biloxi along with a brief analysis identifying their ability to address land use
and military compatibility, and where potential improvements can be made.
The following planning tools are evaluated:
The following planning tools are discussed for each jurisdiction in the JLUS
Study Area:
Comprehensive plan; City of Biloxi Comprehensive Plan
Zoning (including lighting and height); City of Biloxi Land Development Ordinance
Subdivision regulations; City of Biloxi Subdivision Standards
Building codes; and City of Biloxi Building Code
Other (additional tools, as applicable). Annexation
City of Biloxi Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Table 4‐1 provides a summary of the existing planning tools by jurisdiction and
their ability to address military compatibility.
City of Biloxi Comprehensive Plan
The City of Biloxi Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2009. The long‐term
plan provides a vision for the city and guidance for land use decision making.
The plan includes goals, objectives, and actions to fulfill the vision that is has
for the city.
In Mississippi, counties and municipalities have land use and zoning authority.
The governing authorities for counties and municipalities have been enabled
through state code to prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan, zoning
ordinance, and subdivision regulations. Neither counties nor municipalities
are required by the State of Mississippi to adopt comprehensive plans or
zoning ordinances, but are permitted to at the discretion of the governing
authority.
The following action was found to be compatible with military operations:
The primary tools used by the municipal governments in the Keesler AFB JLUS
Study Area are the comprehensive plan, and zoning ordinances.
Page 4‐18
“Maintain height restriction for development around Keesler Air Force
Base to prevent negative impacts to its operations.”
The following keys issues related to Keesler AFB were identified in the plan:
“East‐west connections across the City and the County are limited by
waterways and federal land restrictions (primarily Keesler Air Force
Base).”
Background Report