Opening your space to pop-ups in Meridian: the checklist

Not legal advice. This is a starting checklist, checked 2026-09-25. Rules change and differ by county and city. Talk to a lawyer and confirm with MSDH before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• Licensed restaurant or bar: whether a guest chef can use your MSDH permit is unaddressed (unverified). MSDH Q&A
• Unlicensed event space: no food service for a ticketed night unless the organizer holds their own MSDH permit. MSDH Q&A
• Home: Meridian home occupations ban restaurants and non-resident employees. Your dining room stays a dining room. Meridian ZO §709.05
• Biggest risk: MSDH's test is food served "for pay," and it names no exception for private dinners. A ticketed night likely counts (unverified). MSDH Q&A

Quick answers

Can I host a pop-up dinner in my restaurant or event space in Meridian? It depends on the permit. Whether a guest chef can use your MSDH permit is unaddressed (unverified). In an unlicensed space, the organizer needs their own MSDH permit. MSDH Q&A Home occupations ban restaurants. Meridian ZO §709.05

Can guests bring their own wine to a pop-up in my Meridian space? Yes. Mississippi sets the rules. Meridian Code §5-8.1 ABC guidebook

What should I ask a Meridian pop-up organizer for? Their MSDH permit and a certificate of insurance naming you. MSDH Q&A Then set your rental fee and deposit in writing.

Steps, in order

Already done some of these? Skip them.

Suggested order.

• 1. Talk to a lawyer about your space.
• 2. Check zoning, your lease or HOA. Home occupations allow 20 vehicle trips a day and 2 customer spaces. Meridian ZO §709.05
• 3. Hold a Meridian privilege license, from $20 a year. Home occupation review is $50. Privilege form Home form
• 4. Restaurant or bar: ask MSDH whether your permit covers a guest chef's night. MSDH Q&A
• 5. Sort your drinks plan: see Drinks below.
• 6. Ask your insurer about ticketed events. Homeowners policies exclude activity "engaged in for money or other compensation." Some policies exempt small side income; get it in writing from your insurer. ISO HO-3
• 7. Ask the organizer for their MSDH permit and a certificate of insurance naming you. MSDH Q&A
• 8. Set your rental fee and deposit in writing. Handshakes are lovely. They don't hold deposits.

Drinks

• Your own ABC permit: drinks pour under it, and BYOB isn't allowed. The $475 event venue permit needs room for 200+, an unaffiliated caterer serving 3+ entrées and mostly event-fee revenue. ABC guidebook §67-1-51
• No ABC permit: a caterer holding an ABC caterer's permit can pour here, homes included, and makes every drink sale. They file 10 days' notice with ABC. Lauderdale County is wet. §67-1-51 R. 2-03-14-102 DOR map data
• BYOB with no ABC permit: adults only while drinking is allowed, fines up to $1,000. Likely legal when nothing's sold (unverified). City step: check the 400-foot church and school rule (unverified). §5-8.1, §5-4

Watch-outs

• Union Station's policy says caterers "are not required to be licensed." MSDH still requires a permit for food served for pay. City policy MSDH Q&A
• Union Station example: $300 to $500 a room, 50% deposit, $1M insurance naming the city, no refunds, no cooking on site. City policy

Learn more

• MSDH food permit Q&A
• DOR alcohol permits
• Meridian home occupation permit

Ready to open your doors to micro hospitality? Join Tenseats as a venue host.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and MSDH before you act.