Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-73 Title.
Sec. 74-73. - Title.
This article shall be known as the "Oxford Public Nudity Ordinance."
(Code 1968, § 19-71; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 1, 11-7-2000)
PUBLIC NUDITY
Oxford Code of Ordinances ch. 74, art. III
in effectOxford Code of Ordinances § 74-74 Intent.
Sec. 74-74. - Intent.
(a) It is the intent of this article to protect and preserve the health, safety, welfare and morals of the citizens by prohibiting a person from intentionally or recklessly appearing or being nude or semi-nude, or causing another person to appear or be nude or semi-nude, in a public place and in other places which may reasonably be expected to be observed by the public within the incorporated areas of the city except:
(1) When such person appears nude in a place provided or set apart for nudity; provided:
a. Such person is nude or semi-nude for the sole purpose of performing the legal function that is customarily intended to be performed within such place provided or set apart for nudity; and
b. Such person is not nude or semi-nude for the purpose of obtaining money or other financial gain for such person or for another person or entity.
(2) When the conduct of being nude or semi-nude cannot legally be prohibited by this article:
a. Because it constitutes a part of a bona fide live communication, demonstration or performance by such person wherein such nudity is expressive conduct incidental to and necessary for the conveyance or communication of a genuine message or public expression and is not a guise or pretense utilized to exploit nudity for profit or commercial gain and as such is protected by the United States or Mississippi Constitution; or
b. Because it is otherwise protected by the United States or Mississippi Constitution.
(b) It is the mayor and board's further intention to accomplish those intents and purposes expressed in the "Whereas" provisions of the ordinance from which this article is derived, each of which are incorporated by reference into this section.
(Code 1968, § 19-72; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 2, 11-7-2000)
Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-75 Definitions.
Sec. 74-75. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Entity means any proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, business, trust, joint venture, joint stock company, or other for-profit or not-for-profit organization.
Nude, nudity ora state of nudity means the appearance of a human bare buttock, anus, male genitals, female genitals, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered. It also means the exposure to view of a bare female breast or the employment of any device or covering intended to give the appearance of or simulate a female breast.
Place provided orset apart for nudity means enclosed single-sex public restrooms, enclosed single-sex functional shower, locker and/or dressing room facilities, enclosed motel rooms and hotel rooms designed and intended for sleeping accommodations, doctors' offices, portions of hospitals, and similar places in which nudity or exposure is necessarily and customarily expected outside of the home and sphere of privacy constitutionally protected therein. This term shall not be deemed to include places where a person's conduct of being nude is used for his profit or where being nude is used for promotion of business or is otherwise commercially exploited.
Public place means any location frequented by the public, or where the public is present or likely to be present, or where a person may reasonably be expected to be observed by members of the public. The term "public places" include, but are not limited to, streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, business and commercial establishments (whether for profit or not-for-profit, whether open to the public at large, or whether entrance is limited by a cover charge or membership requirement), hotels, motels, restaurants, nightclubs, country clubs, cabarets, and meeting facilities utilized by any religious, social, fraternal or similar organization. Premises or portions thereof, such as hotel rooms, used solely as a private residence, whether permanent or temporary in nature, shall not be deemed to be a public place.
Semi-nude or semi-nudity means a state of dress in which clothing covers no more than the genitals, pubic region, and areola of the female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices.
(Code 1968, § 19-73; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 3, 11-7-2000)
Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-76 Prohibition.
Sec. 74-76. - Prohibition.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly, intentionally or recklessly appear or cause another person to appear nude or semi-nude in a public place, except as provided in section 74-79. It shall also be unlawful for any person or entity maintaining, owning, or operating any public place to encourage, suffer or allow any person to appear nude or semi-nude in such public place, except as provided in section 74-79.
(Code 1968, § 19-74; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 4, 11-7-2000)
Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-77 Penalty.
Sec. 74-77. - Penalty.
A person violating section 74-76 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or be imprisoned not exceeding six months, or both.
(Code 1968, § 19-75; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 5, 11-7-2000)
Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-78 Exceptions.
Sec. 74-78. - Exceptions.
This article shall not be deemed to address photographs, movies, video presentations, or any other nonlive performances.
(Code 1968, § 19-76; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 6, 11-7-2000)
Oxford Code of Ordinances § 74-79 Exemptions.
Sec. 74-79. - Exemptions.
The prohibitions of section 74-76 shall not apply:
(1) When a person appears nude or semi-nude in a place provided or set apart for nudity, provided:
a. Such person is nude or semi-nude for the sole purpose of performing the legal function that is customarily intended to be performed within such place provided or set apart for nudity; and
b. Such person is not nude or semi-nude for the purpose of obtaining money or other financial gain for such person or for another person or entity.
(2) When the conduct of being nude or semi-nude cannot legally be prohibited by this article:
a. Because it constitutes a part of the bona fide live communication, demonstration or performance by a person wherein such nudity or semi-nudity is expressive conduct incidental to and necessary for the conveyance or communication of a genuine message or public expression and is not a mere guise or pretense utilized to exploit the conduct of being nude or semi-nude for profit or commercial gain and as such is protected by the United States or Mississippi Constitution; or
b. Because it is otherwise protected by the United States or Mississippi Constitution.
(Code 1968, § 19-77; Ord. No. 2000-22, § 7, 11-7-2000)
Source: City of Oxford, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/oxford/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH74OFMIPR_ARTIIIPUNUFetched: 11/1/2026