Southaven, MS Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 10 of Title IX in the City of Southaven, DeSoto County, Mississippi, Parades, Processions, and Public Demonstrations, comes from an ordinance adopted June 16, 2020. Section 9-532(a) makes it unlawful to organize or hold, to assist in organizing or holding, or to take part or participate in any parade, procession or other public demonstration on the streets or other public ways of the city unless a permit has been secured from the chief of police or his designee. The rule reaches participants as well as organizers.

The application is written and goes to the chief of police. Section 9-532(b) requires the probable number of persons or vehicles, the name of the person, entity or organization requesting the permit, the streets or public ways involved, and any other content-neutral time, place or manner information the chief requests so that he or she can evaluate the public safety needs of the request. The chief grants a written permit prescribing the streets or public ways that can be used, unless he finds the parade will unreasonably interfere with proper fire and police protection or otherwise interfere with the good order and peace of the municipality. When denying an application, the chief is empowered to authorize the parade on a different date, at a different time or over a different route than the applicant named.

A denial can be taken to the elected board. Under Section 9-533, the applicant files a written request for review with the city clerk and has the right to have the mayor and Board of Aldermen consider the application at the next regular meeting or called special meeting, to appear, and to present proof. If the board concludes the permit should be issued, it is issued forthwith.

Section 9-534 requires participants to obey traffic directions at intersections and the directions of police officers, adhere strictly to the designated route, and assemble at the prescribed area and accompany the march only on the sidewalks or streets designated and in formation. Section 9-535 bars anyone from unreasonably hampering, obstructing, impeding or interfering with a parade, and bars a driver from driving between the vehicles or persons in a parade that are in motion and conspicuously designated as a parade. Funeral processions are exempt under the chapter's exemption section.