Southaven, MS Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Title IV of the Southaven Code, adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, carries a property maintenance chapter. Section 4-67 lists the conditions that make a property "Blighted Property," and item 2.5 covers motor vehicles: inoperable vehicles parked, kept, or stored on the Premises or Yard, including those in a state of major disassembly or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Item 2.4 adds a second hook for car work, because automotive parts left outside as excessive storage that creates a cluttered and menacing environment also count.

Section 4-65 defines an inoperable motor vehicle as one that cannot be driven upon the public streets for reasons including being unlicensed, wrecked, flat tire(s), abandoned, in a state of disrepair, or incapable of being immediately moved under its own power. Premises means a lot, plot or parcel including any structures, and Yard means an open space on the same lot with a structure. Under § 4-66, the owner of the premises is responsible for keeping the exterior property in compliance.

Separately, § 8-2 governs any home-based business. It does not name auto repair, but it applies to every home-based business: a permit under §§ 8-117 and 8-119, no persons other than occupants working in the business, no equipment or process that creates noise, vibration, glare or fumes detectable off the property, no storage outside a principal building or accessory structure of equipment or material used in the business, and operation entirely within the principal residential building.

The code official administers the blight provisions. Section 4-62 requires a written notice that describes the property, states the violation, gives a correction period not exceeding 90 days, and informs the owner of the right to appeal. The blight sections were most recently amended by a resolution of 4-15-25(2).