Southaven, MS Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)

Section 8-2 of the Southaven Code, added by resolution of 2-2-21(1), sets the operating limits for every home-based business in the City of Southaven. The traffic rule is subsection (e): no traffic shall be generated in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and the parking generated by the business shall be in the driveway. The code prints no visitor count, appointment cap or hours limit, so the test is the residential-neighborhood standard set by that sentence.

Several neighboring subsections keep customer activity down. Subsection (b) says no persons other than occupants of the premises shall be engaged in the business, so employees cannot report to the house. Subsection (g) bars any wholesale or retail establishment unless it is conducted entirely online or by mail. Subsection (c) requires the dwelling's use for the business to be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use, subsection (d) bars any change in the outside appearance or other visible evidence of the business, and subsection (i) requires the business to be conducted entirely within the principal residential building. Subsection (h) prohibits storage outside a principal building or accessory structure of equipment or material used in the business.

Permit steps come first. Subsection (a) requires a permit under sections 8-117 and 8-119, meaning a privilege license from the city tax collector. The applicant must show a current State of Mississippi photo ID that reflects the home-based business physical address, and post office boxes are not accepted. Under § 8-119 the annual license costs $20.00 for a business with three or fewer employees, and under § 8-120 it expires one year from issuance.