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MASSAGE PARLORS

Southaven Code of Ordinances tit. VIII, ch. 3
in effect

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-66 Definition.

Sec. 8-66. - Definition. For the purposes of this chapter, a "massage parlor" is defined as any place where members of the general public or any number thereof may, for remedial or hygenic purposes, have their body rubbed, stroked, kneaded, manipulated or tapped with the hand or a mechanical instrument; and a masseur is defined as a man who practices this trade; and a masseuse is a female practitioner thereof. It shall be a violation of this chapter for a masseur/masseuse to massage the genital area of any patron of a massage parlor. (Ord. No. 32, § 2, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-67 Permit required.

Sec. 8-67. - Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the operation of a massage parlor or to operate as a masseur/masseuse without having first obtained a permit to do so. (Ord. No. 32, § 1, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-68 Permit application.

Sec. 8-68. - Permit application. (a) All applications for a permit as required by this chapter shall be made in writing under oath to the chief of police and shall specify the location of the massage parlor, giving the name and address of the owner and any and all persons having any ownership therein, as well as the name and address of any and all persons proposing to operate same, the name and address of each masseur/masseuse to be employed and all such other information as may be required by the chief of police from time to time. (b) In addition to the foregoing information, any masseur/masseuse shall furnish to the chief of police a recent picture of themselves. (Ord. No. 32, § 3, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-69 Investigation of applicants, premises; health certificate required.

Sec. 8-69. - Investigation of applicants, premises; health certificate required. (a) The chief of police, before recommending to the mayor and board of aldermen the issuance of a permit for either a massage parlor or a masseur/masseuse, shall thoroughly investigate the character and reputation of the owner or owners, operators, masseur/masseuse and shall inspect the premises where the massage parlor is proposed to be operated. (b) All persons engaging in the operation of the massage parlors, as well as each masseur/masseuse, shall obtain at least once a year, and as often thereafter as the county health officer may require, a health certificate from the county health department before engaging or continuing in the operation of a massage parlor or practicing the trade of masseur/masseuse. (Ord. No. 32, § 4, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-70 Qualifications of permittee.

Sec. 8-70. - Qualifications of permittee. (a) No permit shall be issued to an operator or masseur/masseuse who is not an adult bona fide resident citizen of the city at the time of the application; who has been denied an application either to practice the trade of masseur/masseuse or to operate a massage parlor within the past five (5) years; has been convicted of a felony or a violation of the liquor or drug laws of the state or who has been convicted of a violation of the gambling laws of this state or of any crime either in state or federal courts involving moral turpitude. (b) When a person holding a permit to either operate a massage parlor or to practice the trade of masseur/masseuse moves his domicile from the city he shall immediately forfeit any permit he holds under this chapter. (Ord. No. 32, § 5, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-71 Inspections of premises for health violations.

Sec. 8-71. - Inspections of premises for health violations. The chief of police shall at various times cause each massage parlor to be inspected by the county health officer and any massage parlor found to be operating in an unsanitary or unhealthful manner shall immediately forfeit its permit. Such permit shall remain forfeited until such time as the county health officer shall certify that the aforesaid deficiency has been fully and adequately corrected. (Ord. No. 32, § 6, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-72 Permit forfeiture; hearing.

Sec. 8-72. - Permit forfeiture; hearing. In addition to any other penalty provided for the violation of this chapter, any person holding a permit hereunder who violates any provision hereof shall forfeit the permit after a hearing thereon before the mayor and board of aldermen. (Ord. No. 32, § 7, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-73 Permit term, fee.

Sec. 8-73. - Permit term, fee. No permit issued under the terms of this chapter shall be valid for a period of more than one (1) year following the date of the issuance thereof. Any applicant applying for a permit to either operate a massage parlor or to follow the trade of a masseur/masseuse shall pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) therefor. (Ord. No. 32, § 8, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-74 Exemptions.

Sec. 8-74. - Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any medical doctor, physical therapist holding a license to practice physical therapy, athletic team trainer, massage therapist holding a state or national license to practice therapeutic massage, athletic team trainer, schools, religious or fraternal organizations, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A. or other like organization. (Ord. No. 32, § 9, 9-4-84; Ord. of 1-4-94, § I)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-75 Hours, days of operation.

Sec. 8-75. - Hours, days of operation. No massage parlor covered by this chapter shall conduct any business on Sunday and shall remain open on other days only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. (Ord. No. 32, § 10, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-76 Compliance with building, electrical, etc., regulations.

Sec. 8-76. - Compliance with building, electrical, etc., regulations. All massage parlors shall fully comply with all fire, building, electrical, plumbing, zoning and safety regulations of the city. (Ord. No. 32, § 11, 9-4-84)

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-77 Penalty.

Sec. 8-77. - Penalty. Any person convicted of violating any of the terms of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day of any violation thereof shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. No. 32, § 12, 9-4-84)
Source: City of Southaven, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/southaven/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_TITVIIILIMIBURE_CH3MAPAFetched: 11/1/2026

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