Southaven, MS Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- A/ER, R-30, R-20, R-15
- 50 percent maximum impervious surface
- R-12, R-10, R-9
- 60 percent
- R-8 and R-6
- 65 and 70 percent
- RM-8 and RM-6
- 75 percent
- Office, commercial, M-1, M-2, PUD
- 85 percent
- Planned business park (PBP)
- 80 percent
Summary
In the City of Southaven, Mississippi, Chart 5 caps the impervious surface on a lot by district: 50 percent in A/ER, R-30, R-20 and R-15, 60 percent in R-12, R-10 and R-9, 65 in R-8, 70 in R-6, 75 in RM-8 and RM-6, and 85 in the office, commercial and industrial rows.
Zoning District Minimum Lot Requirements Minimum Yard Requirements 3,10,11 Max. Building Height 2 (feet) Max. Dwelling Units Per Acre Maximum Impervious Surface on lot (percentage) 14 ... A/ER 1 acre 9 150 50 40 20 per side 35 0.67 50 R-30 30,000 sq. ft. 90 Single-family residential 40 30 12 per side 35 1.5 50 ... R-12 12,000 sq.ft. 65 Single-family residential 25 20 5 5 35 3.6 60 ... R-8 8,000 sq. ft. 50 25 20 5 6 35 5.5 65 R-6 Single-family detached townhouse lot 6,000 sq. ft. 45 20 20 3 7 35 7.0 70 ... (14)A minor variance to this figure may be granted for developments subject to site plan review. A more substantial variance may be made for institutional uses in residential districts subject to site plan review.
Full Breakdown
Southaven measures lot coverage with the last column of Chart 5, District Regulations, headed 'Maximum Impervious Surface on lot (percentage)' with footnote 14. The chart closes out Sec. 13-12, and each district's section points to it for yard and height rules. In the estate and low-density rows the figure is 50: the A/ER row and the R-30, R-20 and R-15 rows all end in 50. R-12, R-10 and R-9 end in 60. R-8 ends in 65 and R-6 ends in 70. The RM-8 and RM-6 multifamily rows end in 75. The O, RO, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1 and M-2 rows end in 85, the PBP row ends in 80, and the PUD row prints 85.
The number counts every hard surface, not only the house. Driveways, parking pads and paved patios belong in the total alongside roofs, because the column is impervious surface, not building footprint. The chart does not define impervious surface in words, so read the percentage against the whole lot area.
Footnote 14 is the only relief valve. It says a minor variance to this figure may be granted for developments subject to site plan review, and that a more substantial variance can be made for institutional uses in residential districts subject to site plan review. Site plan submissions under Sec. 13-8(b) must show the total square feet of ground area coverage, the parking space areas and the bufferyard areas, which is where the city checks the percentage. In a planned business park, Sec. 13-12(j) requires the conceptual site plan at rezoning to show the applicant can meet the minimum requirements on setbacks, open space and impervious surface.
Violations & Fines
A lot paved past its district's column figure violates Title XIII, and Sec. 13-12(a) bars use or alteration of a building beyond what the district allows. Sec. 13-2(c) lets the proper authorities sue to restrain, correct or abate the violation, with fines according to state law, imprisonment up to thirty (30) days, stop work orders and revocation of certificates of occupancy for a knowing and willful violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my lot can be paved or built on in Southaven?
What is the impervious surface limit for multifamily lots in Southaven?
Does Southaven allow exceptions to the impervious surface cap?
Do commercial lots in Southaven have a coverage limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southaven
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