Lafayette County Adopts New Special Events Permit Ordinance, Sets Rules

After nearly a year of discussion, Lafayette County supervisors approved a Special Events Ordinance on Jan. 7, 2026, that requires permits for a broad range of non-private events and establishes standards for public safety, sanitation and traffic control. The ordinance seeks to close regulatory gaps officials say allowed pop-up gatherings to operate without clear oversight.

The law defines the general public as the entire community of residents without excluding any particular group or class. Events open to the general public typically allow unrestricted access and are often advertised through general media, though advertising is not required. Private gatherings such as weddings, family reunions and birthday celebrations are explicitly excluded from the permitting requirement.

Joel Hollowell, director of Development Services, said part of the push for the ordinance came from concerns about loosely organized pop-up events. "So you know that’s been one of the concerns all along, is that we have these pop-up events where they are advertised ‘come one, come all,’" Hollowell said.

Under the ordinance, organizers must obtain a special event permit for events that meet several criteria, including any event held on a public right-of-way; events that charge an entry fee or sell merchandise unless run by a business with an approved site or operations plan; events with 200 or more participants; and events at public or quasi-public facilities that would exceed that site’s approved capacity. Supervisors voted during the session to lower the participant threshold from 300 to 200 and debated — then removed a proposed section that would have required permits for public events of 50 or more attendees when amplified music or alcohol was present.

Permit applicants, including property owners, lessees and event promoters, must address water supply, sewage disposal, solid waste handling, food and beverage service, noise and dust control, lighting and other operational concerns. Safety requirements call for a safety and operations plan covering medical emergencies and crowd control, adequate private security as determined by the sheriff, compliance with building and fire codes, and required permits for fireworks or temporary structures. Parking plans must provide sufficient off-street space, prohibit parking on county or state rights-of-way and include traffic control measures.

The ordinance also outlines alcohol service rules. Alcohol sold or provided at special events must comply with state and county licensing and may be consumed only on premises during permitted hours consistent with Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations. The board noted remaining questions about alcohol sales at qualified resorts and agreed to seek clarification from the state ABC agency.

The ordinance text and application details are posted online at lafayettems.com/building-planning-department/. Organizers and property owners planning events in Lafayette County should review the rules and coordinate early with Development Services and the sheriff’s office to ensure compliance.