Mississippi § 21-37-47 - Exercise of eminent domain by municipalities.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 21-37-47 — Exercise of eminent domain by municipalities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 21-37-47. Exercise of eminent domain by municipalities.
The governing authorities of municipalities, and any commission created under legislative act and operating as an agency of any municipality, where necessary or incidental to the functions and purposes of the commission as set out in the legislative act providing for such commission, shall have the power to exercise the right of eminent domain for the following purposes: 1. the laying out of streets, avenues and alleys: 2. the straightening and widening of streets, or changing the grade thereof; 3. the constructing or repairing of sidewalks, sewers, and other improvements; 4. the securing of land for parks, cemeteries, schoolhouses, fire departments, market houses, and for the constructing of any public building; 5. the laying out, constructing, erecting or perfecting of levees, or a system of levees, for the protection of such municipality or any part thereof, or for the protection of any public work or building, and for the constructing or perfecting of its drainage system; 6. the establishing, altering and changing of the channel of streams or water courses or ditches, and the acquiring of land to bridge the same; 7. and in any other case where the land is to be used for public purposes. Such governing authorities or commission may exercise the right without, as well as within, the corporate limits of the municipality, and this right may be exercised by any municipality or any such commission aforesaid. Moreover, any municipality in the state may, in the furtherance of any national defense project, within or without its corporate limits but located within ten miles of the corporate limits of such municipality, purchase or acquire lands connected with such project and in so doing exercise the right of eminent domain, if necessary.
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 21-37-47
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 21-37-47 cover?
Section 21-37-47 ("Exercise of eminent domain by municipalities.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 21-37-47?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 21-37-47" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 21-37-47 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.