Southaven, MS Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 9-12 of Title IX, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, is Southaven's rule against blocking a sidewalk. Subsection (a) bars any person from remaining on a public street, sidewalk or pathway or parking lot, including a privately owned lot generally used by the public, so as to obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or motor vehicles, after a sworn law enforcement officer has verbally informed the person that the action is unlawful and requested that the person move. If a sign prohibiting loitering that references section 9-12 of the City Code is clearly, conspicuously and visibly posted, the sign is sufficient notice and no further verbal warning is required. Subsection (b) applies the same warning-and-move rule to a person remaining in or on a motor vehicle in those places.

Two companion subsections extend the rule. Under (c), it is unlawful to refuse or fail to leave a private business or commercial establishment that is open for business, or its parking lot, after a verbal request from the owner, the owner's agent or a sworn officer. Under (d), it is unlawful to refuse or fail to leave a public building, public grounds or public recreational area, or its parking lot, after a verbal request from a sworn officer or an authorized security employee, under circumstances that indicate no apparent lawful business or purpose in that place.

A separate chapter handles fixed obstructions in the street. Section 11-62 provides that no person, lot owner or lessee shall erect a basketball goal or other recreational structure on the public streets or city rights-of-way adjacent thereto, and that any such structure is to be removed immediately. Violation of that chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment for not more than five days, or both (§ 11-63). A designated play street on a cove, cul-de-sac inset or dead-end street is the only route around the ban, and the speed limit on a play street is five miles per hour (§ 11-66). Section 11-69(d) separately makes it unlawful to interfere with ingress and egress on public property.