Short-Term Rentals in Southaven, MS: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Southaven or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals 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 short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Noise Rules

Southaven applies standard noise ordinance rules to short-term rental properties. STR operators are responsible for ensuring guests comply with local quiet hours.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Operator Liability: Yes, for guest noise. Strike Policy: 3 strikes typical. House Rules: Must be posted.

First offense: warning to operator. Second offense: $200 to $500 fine. Third offense: permit suspension or revocation. Operators liable for guest violations.

Permit Requirements

Southaven does not maintain a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. Hosts must obtain a City of Southaven business privilege license from the City Clerk under Title V (Business Regulations), with a $20 annual fee for home-based businesses. Mississippi state sales tax of 7% applies to short-term lodging under Miss. Code Ann. §27-65-23, and applicable local tourism or hotel/motel taxes are collected by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Key details: Local Permit: City business privilege license required. Home-Based Fee: $20 per year. Issuing Office: City Clerk, (662) 280-6554. State Sales Tax: 7% (Miss. Code Ann. §27-65). Hotel/Motel Definition: Miss. Code Ann. §27-65-23.1.

Operating a business in Southaven without a privilege license is a violation enforceable by the City Clerk and Municipal Code Enforcement. Failing to collect and remit Mississippi sales tax under Miss. Code Ann. §27-65 is enforced by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and can result in tax assessments, penalties, and interest. Use of a property as a transient lodging operation in a zoning district that does not permit hotel/motel uses can trigger zoning enforcement under Title XIII.

Parking Rules

Southaven has no STR-specific parking ordinance, but Chapter 7 of the city zoning ordinance requires every dwelling unit to provide two off-street spaces. STR guests must park on paved driveways or approved hard-surface areas; parking on lawns, in front of accessory buildings, or in the right-of-way is prohibited in residential districts.

Key details: Spaces Required: 2 per dwelling unit. Space Size: 10 ft x 20 ft minimum. Parking Surface: Paved/concrete only. RV Setback: 20 ft from street. Commercial Vehicles: Prohibited in residential.

Parking guest vehicles on lawns, in front yards off the driveway, on unpermitted unpaved surfaces, or blocking sidewalks/streets violates Southaven Chapter 7 parking rules and is enforced by Code Enforcement, with citations and tow risk under the residential parking provisions.

Occupancy Limits

Southaven's Code of Ordinances does not set a numeric short-term rental occupancy cap. Limits are driven by the IRC bedroom/sleeping-area minimums adopted by Mississippi, by Chapter 7 parking (two spaces per dwelling unit), and by any HOA covenants. Confirm specifics with Southaven Planning at 662-393-6939.

Key details: City STR Cap: None codified. Building Code: IRC adopted statewide. IRC Bedroom Minimum: 70 sq ft + 50/occupant. Parking Required: 2 spaces per unit. State STR Preemption: None.

Because Southaven has no STR-specific occupancy cap, enforcement is tied to other code violations: building or fire-code overcrowding under the IRC, parking violations under Chapter 7, and noise or nuisance citations. HOA-imposed caps are enforced privately, not by the city.

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

Taxes & Fees

Southaven requires STR operators to collect and remit Mississippi sales tax and local tourism taxes. MS Code Ann. §27-65-23 governs accommodation tax collection.

Key details: State Sales Tax: 7%. Local Tourism Tax: 1%-3% varies. Registration: MS Dept of Revenue. Authority: MS Code Ann. §27-65-23.

Failure to collect taxes: back taxes plus 10% penalty. MS DOR may assess additional fines. Interest accrues on unpaid taxes. Business license may be suspended.

The Bottom Line

Southaven's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Southaven is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Southaven's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.