Southaven, MS Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 10-7 of the Southaven Code defines an "unsafe property environment" to include any property with more than six (6) inches of grass in height, plus dilapidated buildings or any other unsafe item as determined by the governing authority. The height limit is not tied to a zoning district or to an improved lot: it applies to any property in the City of Southaven. Once the condition has existed for more than forty-eight (48) hours, the planning and development department has cause to issue a citation, and the department can give a first offender one (1) warning first.

The owner or tenant bears the cost. Under subsection (d) the owner and/or tenant pays all expenses of removing or cleaning the property in accordance with MCA 1972, § 21-19-11, and is also charged with a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus court costs. The code defines the owner as the person, firm, partnership, association or corporation holding legal title, and the tenant as a person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit to the exclusion of others, so both a landlord and a renter can be reached.

Large parcels get a reduced mowing duty. A parcel of ten (10) or more acres must be mowed and maintained only along a two hundred (200) yard perimeter around the entire parcel, while every parcel under ten (10) acres must be mowed and maintained in full. Separately, the mayor holds discretion to issue an emergency order for cleanup and removal of items that pose an immediate health hazard to the surrounding areas, but only to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.