Southaven, MS Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

The City of Southaven Special Events Ordinance (Title VIII, Chapter 6, resolution of 9-17-24(2)) defines a fair or carnival as an enterprise offering amusement attractions or rides, and a festival as a gathering of people for the buying and selling of goods, including entertainment, games and the sale of goods. Section 8-140 requires a special event permit from the special events coordinator in the police department. Under § 8-142 the application must say whether food or beverages, including alcoholic beverages, or merchandise will be sold, and whether water, toilets and first aid will be provided.

Section 8-145(b) conditions all events on compliance with every relevant ordinance or law, including those governing temporary structures, booths or tents and rides, and on procuring legally required permits, licenses or certificates such as business permits, beer permits, fire safety inspection permits and state health department permits. The coordinator can also require fire department inspection of floats, structures and decorated vehicles, garbage containers and cleanup, and limits on amplified sound (§ 8-145(a)).

Fees under § 8-150 depend on class: the printed schedule lists a $10.00 application fee for classes A to C, permit fees of $2,000.00, $100.00 and $30.00, and sanitation fees of $150.00, $75.00 and $20.00. Class D events (no city services, 200 persons or less) pay nothing. Sponsors clean up within twelve (12) hours and may post a cleanup deposit (§ 8-151).

Chapter 7 governs a vendor who meets the definition of transient vendor, doing business for less than six (6) months in a calendar year. That license costs $250.00 (§ 8-163), expires ninety (90) days after issuance (§ 8-164), and requires posting the state sales tax number and license number (§ 8-165). Under § 8-167, civic and nonprofit organizations and churches wishing to conduct a carnival, fair or bazaar can ask the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to reduce or waive fees and surety bonds.