Definitions.
Southaven Code of Ordinances § 8-252
in effectSec. 8-252. - Definitions.
Adult arcade means any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated or slug-operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, videos, or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
Adult bookstore or adult video store means a commercial establishment that, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration any one or more of the following:
(1) Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion picture, video cassettes or video reproductions, slides, or other visual representations that depict or describe "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas;" or
(2) Instruments, devices, or paraphernalia that are designed for use in connection with "specified sexual activities."
A commercial establishment may have other principal business purposes that do not involve the offering for sale or rental of material depicting or describing "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" and still be categorized as adult bookstore or adult video store. Such other business purposes will not serve to exempt such commercial establishments from being categorized as an adult bookstore or adult video store so long as one of its principal business purposes is the offering for sale or rental for consideration the specified materials that depict or describe "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
A principal business purpose need not be a primary use of an establishment so long as it is a significant use based upon the visible inventory or commercial activity of the establishment.
Adult cabaret means a nightclub, bar, restaurant, cafe, or similar commercial establishment that regularly, commonly, habitually, or consistently features:
(1) Persons who appear in a state of nudity or semi-nudity;
(2) Live performances that are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas" or by "specified sexual activities";
(3) Films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, photographic reproductions, or other image producing devices that are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas"; or
(4) Persons who engage in "exotic" or erotic dancing or performances that are intended for the sexual interests or titillation of an audience or customers.
Adult motel means a hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment that:
(1) Offers accommodation to the public for any form of consideration and provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions that are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas;" and has a sign visible from the public right of way that advertises the availability of this adult type of photographic reproductions;
(2) Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than twenty-four (24) hours; or
(3) Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to sub rent the room for a period of time that is less than twenty-four (24) hours.
Adult motion picture theater means a commercial establishment where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or similar photographic reproductions are regularly, commonly, habitually, or consistently shown that are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
Adult theater means a theater, concert hall, auditorium, or similar commercial establishment that regularly, commonly, habitually, or consistently features persons who appear, in person, in a state of nudity and/or semi-nudity, and/or live performances that are characterized by the exposure of "specified anatomical areas" or by "specified sexual activities."
Employee means a person who performs any service on the premises of a sexually oriented business on a full time, part time, contract basis, or independent basis, whether or not the person is denominated an employee, independent contractor, agent, or otherwise, and whether or not the said person is paid a salary, wage, or other compensation by the operator of said business. "Employee" does not include a person exclusively on the premises for repair or maintenance of the premises or equipment on the premises, or for the delivery of goods to the premises, nor does "employee" include a person exclusively on the premises as a patron or customer.
Escort means a person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide, or date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.
Escort agency means a person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip, or other consideration.
Establishment means and includes any of the following:
(1) The opening or commencement of any sexually oriented business as a new business;
(2) The conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented business, to any sexually oriented business;
(3) The additions of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented business;
(4) The relocation of any sexually oriented business; or
(5) A sexually oriented business or premises on which the sexually oriented business is located.
Licensed day-care center means a facility licensed by the state, whether situated within the city or not, that provides care, training, education, custody, treatment or supervision for more than five (5) children under fourteen (14) years of age, where such children are not related by blood, marriage or adoption to the owner or operator of the facility, for less than twenty-four (24) hours a day, regardless of whether or not the facility is operated for a profit or charges for the services it offers.
Licensee means a person in whose name a license has been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a license.
Live theatrical performance means a play, skit, opera, ballet, concert, comedy, or musical drama.
Misdemeanor means that upon conviction a fine not less than one thousand dollars ($1000.00) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5000.00) and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ninety (90) days shall be imposed at the discretion of the municipal court.
Nude model studio means any place where a person who appears in a state of nudity or displays "specified anatomical areas" is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons for consideration.
Nudity or a state of nudity means the appearance of a human bare buttock, anus, anal cleft or anal cleavage, pubic area, male genitals, female genitals, or vulva, with less than a fully opaque covering; or a female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the areola; or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely and opaquely covered.
Person means an individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
Premises means the real property upon which the sexually oriented business is located, and all appurtenances thereto and buildings thereon, including, but not limited to, the sexually oriented business, the grounds, private walkways, and parking lots and/or parking garages adjacent thereto, under the ownership, control, or supervision of the licensee, as described in the application for a business license pursuant to section 8-255 of this chapter.
Semi-nude or semi-nudity means the appearance of the female breast below a horizontal line across the top of the areola at its highest point. This definition shall include the entire lower portion of the human female breast, but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of the human female breast exhibited by a dress, blouse, skirt, leotard, bathing suit, or other wearing apparel provided the areola is not exposed in whole or in part.
Sexual encounter center means a business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for any form of consideration:
(1) Physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the opposite sex and/or persons of the same sex when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity or semi-nudity; or
(2) Activities between persons of the opposite sex and/or persons of the same sex when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity.
Sexually oriented business means an adult arcade, adult bookstore or adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion picture theater, adult theater, escort agency, nude model studio, or sexual encounter center.
Specified anatomical areas means:
(1) The human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if fully and opaquely covered;
(2) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or a female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola.
Specified criminal activity means any of the following offenses:
(1) Prostitution or promotion of prostitution; dissemination of obscenity; sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor; sexual performance by a child; possession or distribution of child pornography; public lewdness; indecent exposure; indecency with a child; sexual assault; molestation of a child; or any similar sex-related offenses to those described above under the criminal or penal code of this state, other states, or other countries.
(2) For which:
a. Less than two (2) years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense;
b. Less than five (5) years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or
c. Less than five (5) years have elapsed since the date of the last conviction or the date of release from confinement imposed for the last conviction, whichever is the later date, if the convictions are for two or more misdemeanor offenses or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring within any twenty-four (24) month period;
(3) The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the disqualification of the applicant or a person residing with the applicant.
Specified sexual activities means and includes any of the following:
(1) The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts, whether covered or uncovered;
(2) Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, or sodomy;
(3) Masturbation, actual or simulated; or
(4) Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in subsections (1) through (3) above.
Substantial enlargement of a sexually oriented business means the increase in floor areas occupied by the business by more than twenty-five (25) percent, as the floor areas existed on October 1, 2000.
Transfer of ownership or control of a sexually oriented business means and includes any of the following:
(1) The sale, lease, or sublease of the business;
(2) The transfer of securities that form a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means; or
(3) The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device that transfers the ownership or control of the business, except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the person possessing the ownership or control.
(Ord. of 10-8-00, § 8-202)
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_CH10SEORBU_S8-252DEFetched: 11/1/2026