Noise Ordinances in Southaven, MS: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Southaven or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Southaven has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Quiet Hours

Southaven, Mississippi does not adopt a decibel-based noise ordinance and does not establish set numerical quiet hours. The city instead applies a general nuisance standard that prohibits playing music by a loud band or instrumental devices utilizing sound amplification so as to unreasonably disturb the peace or quiet of neighboring persons. Mississippi Code Annotated §97-35-9 separately makes it unlawful to disturb the peace of any family or person by loud or unusual noise, punishable by a fine up to $100 or up to six months in jail. Complaints in Southaven are routed to the Southaven Police Department non-emergency line at (662) 393-8652.

Key details: Local Decibel Limit: None set by Southaven. Local Quiet Hours: None set; reasonableness test. Local Standard: Unreasonable disturbance of peace. State Statute: Miss. Code Ann. §97-35-9. State Penalty: Up to $100 or 6 months jail.

A first response from the Southaven Police Department typically results in a warning and a request to lower the volume. Continued or repeat violations of the local nuisance language or of Miss. Code Ann. §97-35-9 can result in a misdemeanor citation carrying up to a $100 fine and up to six months in the county jail. Refusing a lawful officer command to disperse or quiet down is separately chargeable under Miss. Code Ann. §97-35-7 (up to $500 or up to six months). Code Enforcement may also issue municipal nuisance notices for chronic disturbances tied to a specific property.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Southaven gives residents more flexibility on quiet hours.

Construction Hours

Southaven limits construction noise to daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturdays, under local building and noise ordinances.

Key details: Weekday Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM. Saturday Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM. Sunday: Generally prohibited. Authority: Local building code.

Stop-work order for violations. Fines of $100 to $500 per occurrence. Repeat offenders may face permit revocation and misdemeanor charges under local ordinance.

Leaf Blower Rules

Southaven regulates leaf blower use primarily through general noise ordinance hours. Mississippi municipalities generally allow gas and electric blowers during daytime hours.

Key details: Permitted Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM weekdays. Weekend Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM. Gas Blowers: Generally allowed. State Ban: None.

Noise ordinance violations: $50 to $200 fine. Operating outside permitted hours may result in warning or citation under general noise ordinance.

The rules around leaf blower rules in Southaven lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Amplified Music & Events

Southaven regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems through local noise ordinances. Amplified sound is generally restricted during quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Vehicle Audio: Audible 50 to 100 ft limit. Event Permits: Required for amplification. Authority: MS Code Ann. §21-19-1.

Fines of $100 to $300 per violation. Equipment may be confiscated for repeat offenses. Unpermitted events face additional penalties up to $500.

Barking Dogs

Southaven addresses barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous or excessive barking complaints are handled through animal control services.

Key details: Nuisance Threshold: 15 to 20 min continuous. Report To: Animal control. First Response: Written warning. Authority: MS Code Ann. §21-19-9.

Warning issued first. Fines of $50 to $200 per violation. Repeat offenders: up to $500 fine. Persistent cases may lead to animal impoundment under local ordinance.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Southaven gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 2 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Southaven can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.