Code Violation Reporting in Shreveport, LA

If you live in Shreveport or are thinking about moving there, code violation reporting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Shreveport has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of code violation reporting, and some of them might surprise you.

Response Times

When someone complains about an inoperable vehicle sitting on a Shreveport property, the department of property standards doesn't just issue a warning and move on. Section 38-31(c) requires it to serve written notice of the violation and gives the person in possession of the vehicle, or the property owner, exactly ten days from receipt to bring it into compliance, with an appeal right to the environmental court.

Key details: Governing section: § 38-31(c), Inoperable vehicles. Compliance window: 10 days from receipt of notice. Trigger: A citizen complaint or department discovery. Appeal path: Environmental court, § 38-105. If ignored: Code enforcement may remove vehicle, § 38-31(d).

Missing the ten-day compliance window in section 38-31(c) with no appeal filed under section 38-105 lets code enforcement remove the vehicle itself under section 38-31(d), with all removal costs assessed against the property. Separately, a vehicle owner who ignores the notice can still be cited for the underlying parking violation, drawing the same misdemeanor penalties chapter 38 applies elsewhere: a fine of not less than $500.00 and/or up to 30 days in jail for a first offense.

How to Report

Reporting a property-standards violation in Shreveport doesn't require ownership or a lease. Section 38-82(3)a lets any person ask the department of property standards to send an inspector to the exterior of any occupied or unoccupied dwelling, premises or property in the city to check for a violation of chapter 38. Tenants get a separate, more involved path to request an interior inspection.

Key details: Governing section: § 38-82(3)a, Inspection. Who can request: Any person, no ownership required. What's inspected: Exterior of any dwelling or property. Enforcing office: Department of Property Standards. Tenant interior requests: Separate 10-day owner-notice process, § 38-82(3)b.

Filing a request doesn't create liability for the requester; the penalties fall on the property owner or occupant if an inspection confirms a violation. Once cited under section 38-84 and section 38-115, an owner faces a fine of not less than $500.00 and/or up to 30 days in jail for a first offense, with each day the condition continues counted as a separate offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Shreveport gives residents more flexibility on how to report.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport's code violation reporting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Shreveport is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Shreveport's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.