A Resident's Guide to Southaven's Local Ordinances

Southaven, Mississippi may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 33 tracked ordinances across 12 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Fire Regulations

Brush Clearance: Southaven requires property owners to maintain defensible space and clear excessive vegetation under local property maintenance codes and MS Forestry Commission guidelines..

Also covered: Fireworks (permissive). See the full fire regulations guide for Southaven for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Southaven restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones through local zoning ordinances. Weight and size limits typically apply to vehicles stored overnight in residential areas..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Southaven for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: Southaven limits fence heights through local zoning ordinances. Front yard fences are typically limited to 4 feet and rear/side yard fences to 6 to 8 feet in residential zones..

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Southaven for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Southaven requires a pool permit and a 'security fence' meeting code prior to final inspection, applying the Mississippi Residential Code (based on the 2018 IRC) and IRC Appendix AG. Under IRC §AG105, residential pools deeper than 24 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward from the pool.

Also covered: Safety Rules (moderate), Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Southaven for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Southaven enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

Landscaping Rules

Grass Height Limits: Southaven enforces a 10-inch grass height maximum with proactive code enforcement. The city's suburban identity and rapid growth along the I-55 corridor make property maintenance a high priority for maintaining neighborhood values..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Southaven for details.

Short-Term Rentals

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.

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Occupancy Limits (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Southaven for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Southaven participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance under Mississippi authority. Effective flood maps for DeSoto County and Southaven (FIRM panels under community 28033C) became effective June 4, 2007.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Southaven Code of Ordinances Section 13-13 (Storage and Accessory Buildings) expressly prohibits using accessory or temporary buildings for dwelling purposes. Detached accessory buildings cannot exceed 50% of the heated square footage of the principal structure or occupy more than 30% of the rear yard, are limited to one story and 20 feet in height (slab to highest roof point), and must comply with rear/side setbacks of at least 5 feet when located 10 feet or more from the main building..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (strict), Shed Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Southaven for details.

Noise Ordinances

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.

Also covered: Construction Hours (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Amplified Music & Events (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Southaven for details.

Animal Ordinances

Beekeeping: Southaven regulates beekeeping through local zoning and the Mississippi Bee and Honey Law under MS Code Ann. §69-39-1 et seq.

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Southaven for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Southaven permits home-based businesses in residential zones subject to local zoning restrictions. Home occupations must be clearly secondary to the residential use of the property..

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Southaven, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Southaven's city hall or code enforcement office.