Southaven, MS Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- A agricultural district, Sec. 13-12(b)
- Stated purpose
- Conserve farm land, encourage large lot residential and normal farming
- Conditional uses
- Approval by the governing authority required
- Farm definition size
- More than ten (10) acres outside a recorded subdivision
- A/ER minimum lot
- One (1) acre, 150 feet width
- Barbed wire
- Allowed only on agricultural zoned properties
Summary
In the City of Southaven, Mississippi, the A agricultural district in Sec. 13-12(b) conserves farm land and undeveloped areas from urban encroachment and is designed to encourage large lot residential uses and normal farming activities. Conditional uses need governing authority approval. Lot, yard, height and density minimums come from Charts 3 and 4.
The primary purpose of this district is conserve agricultural land and undeveloped natural amenities from the encroachment of urban and other incompatible land uses on farm land and undeveloped areas. The types, area and intensity of permitted land uses in this district are designed to encourage large lot residential uses and normal farming activities, and to prevent inordinate scattering residences on small lots that would require unreasonable expenditures of public improvements and services. Conditional uses may be permitted, if approved by the governing authority, in accordance with the procedures and conditions set forth in the conditional use chapter of this title, provided such conditional uses comply with the height area and parking regulations for similar uses set out elsewhere in this title. Charts 3 and 4, lists the permitted and conditional uses for this district. The minimum lot and yard requirements, maximum height and maximum gross dwelling unit density which govern any use in this district are listed on Charts 3 and 4 unless otherwise regulated in this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 13-12(b) is the purpose statement for the agricultural district in the City of Southaven. Its stated aim is to conserve agricultural land and undeveloped natural amenities from encroachment by urban and other incompatible land uses, to encourage large lot residential uses and normal farming activities, and to prevent inordinate scattering of residences on small lots that would need unreasonable public improvements and services. The section prints no nuisance-shield language, so it works as a zoning rule and not as an immunity from neighbor complaints. Conditional uses need approval from the governing authority through the conditional use chapter and must meet height, area and parking rules for similar uses.
The farm definition in Sec. 13-1(b) is specific. A farm is an area of more than ten (10) acres outside a recorded subdivision used for growing the usual farm products such as vegetables, fruit, trees, hay, cotton and grain, and for raising farm poultry and farm animals such as horses, mules, cattle, sheep and swine, including dairy farms. It excludes mineral extraction, feeding collected garbage or offal to swine, and intensive livestock raising such as commercial feed lots, large batteries of rabbit hutches or poultry lots or coops.
The district chart at the end of Chapter 12 lists Farms and farm dwellings and Crop and soil preparation under Agricultural Uses, and gives the A/ER row a one (1) acre minimum lot, 150 feet width at the building line, yards of fifty (50) feet front, forty (40) feet rear and twenty (20) feet per side, and thirty-five (35) feet maximum height. Footnote 9 allows more than one residential structure on an A lot if each meets subdivided-lot requirements and all are in single ownership.
Other rules also treat agricultural property differently. Sec. 13-10(h)(f) allows barbed wire only on agricultural zoned properties, Sec. 13-11(c)(a) exempts agricultural land that stays agricultural from tree removal permits, and Sec. 3-9(a) applies the two hundred fifty (250) foot livestock-from-residence limit to areas zoned other than agricultural.
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. A use that is not permitted in the district is a violation under Sec. 13-2(a)(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the agricultural district allow in Southaven?
Does Southaven's code protect farms from neighbor complaints?
What counts as a farm in the City of Southaven?
Can I keep livestock in a non-agricultural zone in Southaven?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southaven
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