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Southaven, MS Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

ER setbacks: Front 50 feet, side 20 feet per side, rear 40 feet
R-30 single-family detached: Front 40, side 25, rear 30 feet
R-12 single-family detached: Front 25, rear 20, side 5 feet minimum, total 15
R-6 single-family detached: Front 20, rear 20, side 3 feet minimum, total 8
Maximum building height: 35 feet in residential districts
Variances: Only by the process provided in Title XIII

Summary

In the City of Southaven, Mississippi, Sec. 13-12(c) sets minimum building setbacks district by district. The ER estate residential district requires fifty (50) feet front, twenty (20) feet per side and forty (40) feet rear. Single-family detached homes in R-12 require twenty-five (25) feet front, twenty (20) feet rear and five (5) feet minimum side for a total of fifteen (15) feet.

(b)ER estate residential (low density). ... Minimum building setbacks: Front 50 feet Side 20 feet per side Rear 40 feet ... (f)R-12 residential single-family district) medium density). ... Minimum building setbacks: Single Family Detached All Other Uses Front yard 25 feet 30 feet Side yard 5 feet minimum for a total of 15 feet 12 feet per side Rear yard 20 feet 25 feet

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Full Breakdown

Sec. 13-12(c) gives every residential district in the City of Southaven its own site development table, with minimum building setbacks for front, side and rear yards. The ER estate residential district, set for large lots, requires a front setback of fifty (50) feet, twenty (20) feet per side and forty (40) feet at the rear.

For single-family detached homes, the section prints these front, side and rear minimums. R-30 is forty (40) feet front, twenty-five (25) feet side and thirty (30) feet rear. R-20 is forty (40) feet front, fifteen (15) feet per side and twenty-five (25) feet rear. R-15 is thirty (30) feet front, eight (8) feet minimum side for a total of twenty (20) feet, and twenty-five (25) feet rear. R-12 is twenty-five (25) feet front, five (5) feet minimum side for a total of fifteen (15) feet, and twenty (20) feet rear. R-10 is twenty (20) feet front, five (5) feet side with a fifteen-foot total, and twenty (20) feet rear. R-9 is thirty-five (35) feet front and twenty-five (25) feet rear. R-8 is twenty (20) feet front and rear. R-6 is twenty (20) feet front and rear with a three (3) foot minimum side and an eight (8) foot total. All Other Uses columns carry larger figures, for example fifty (50) feet front in R-30 and R-20.

The summary district chart at the end of Chapter 12 does not match every table. It prints a thirty (30) foot single-family front yard for R-20 against forty (40) feet here, and twelve (12) feet per side for R-30 against twenty-five (25) feet here, so confirm the figure with the office of planning and development before design. The chart footnotes also require front yards on both streets of a corner or double frontage lot, allow sills, cornices and ornamental features to project two (2) feet into a required yard, and set a three (3) foot minimum for an alley-entered garage. Sec. 13-2(a)(1) bars any variance from the chart of regulations except through the process in Title XIII.

Violations & Fines

The city planner and staff designated by the Board of Aldermen enforce Title XIII under Sec. 13-2(b). Under Sec. 13-2(c), a person who knowingly and willfully violates the title is subject to fines according to state law, imprisonment up to thirty (30) days, stop work orders for development and/or a revocation of privilege licensing and certificate of occupancies. Authorities can also bring an action to restrain, correct or abate the violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the front setback for a house in Southaven?

It depends on the district in Sec. 13-12(c). Single-family detached homes need fifty (50) feet in ER, forty (40) in R-30 and R-20, thirty (30) in R-15, twenty-five (25) in R-12, twenty (20) in R-10, thirty-five (35) in R-9, and twenty (20) in R-8 and R-6.

What are the side yard rules in R-12?

For single-family detached homes in R-12, Sec. 13-12(c) requires five (5) feet minimum side yard for a total of fifteen (15) feet. Other uses in R-12 need twelve (12) feet per side. The rear yard is twenty (20) feet for single-family detached and twenty-five (25) feet for other uses.

Do corner lots need two front setbacks?

Footnote 3 to the district chart at the end of Chapter 12 says that on double frontage lots and corner lots the required front yards shall be provided on both streets. Front yards in all districts must also remain open to the sky and unobstructed, apart from permitted building projections.

Can I get a variance from the setback minimums?

Sec. 13-2(a)(1) says no variance will be allowed from the code requirements or the chart of regulations except by the applicable process provided in Title XIII. The Planning and Design Review Commission and Board of Adjustment chapter, Chapter 3 of Title XIII, sets that process.

Sources & Official References

[1]Code of Ordinances, City of Southaven, Mississippi (Municode)

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