Shreveport's Environmental Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles environmental rules a little differently. In Shreveport, Louisiana, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Erosion Control

Shreveport requires an erosion and sedimentation control permit from the Department of Engineering and Environmental Services before clearing, grading, excavating or filling anywhere in the city or the Cross Lake watershed, with only narrow exemptions.

Key details: Permit trigger: Any land altering activity. Inspections required: Every two weeks and after rain. Rain-event threshold: One-half inch or more. SWPPP threshold: One acre disturbed. Fine: Up to $500 per day per violation.

Stop work orders, permit revocation, administrative fines up to $500 per day per violation, water service termination, liens on unpaid fines, and misdemeanor prosecution.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Shreveport actively enforces its erosion control requirements.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New and substantially improved residential structures in Shreveport's special flood hazard areas must have their lowest habitable floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation under Sec. 34-67(2). Nonresidential buildings get the same one-foot freeboard or must be certified floodproof by a licensed engineer or architect instead.

Key details: Residential freeboard: 1 foot above base flood elevation, minimum. Nonresidential alternative: Engineer-certified floodproofing instead of elevation. Enclosed space below floor: 2+ openings, 1 sq in per sq ft. Manufactured homes (Zone AE): I-beam elevated 1 foot above BFE. Definition source: Freeboard defined in Sec. 34-28.

Building below the required one-foot freeboard, or without the engineer-certified floodproofing alternative for nonresidential structures, is a Sec. 34-31 misdemeanor punished under the general penalty in Sec. 1-14. It also blocks the compliance certification the director of public works must record under Sec. 34-50 before signing off on the structure, and can cost the owner a variance denial under Sec. 34-54's hardship test.

Flood Zones

Before any construction or development begins in a Shreveport area of special flood hazard, the owner must get a development permit from the director of public works under Sec. 34-46. The application must show elevations, structure floodproofing certification, and any watercourse alteration, tracking the flood maps in the 2014 FEMA study for Caddo Parish.

Key details: Permit required: Before any construction in a special flood hazard area. Issuing office: Director of public works. Flood map basis: 2014 FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Caddo Parish. Governing map: Red River Special Flood Hazard Area map supersedes others. Violation: Misdemeanor, penalty under Sec. 1-14.

Building, altering or developing land in a mapped special flood hazard area without first getting a Sec. 34-46 development permit is a misdemeanor under Sec. 34-31, punished per the general penalty in Sec. 1-14. The city can pursue that fine and still take 'such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation,' including ordering the work stopped or corrected.

Boat Dock Permits

Property owners along Cross Lake need a city permit before building a pier, boathouse or dock within the lake's 172-foot contour line, under Code of Ordinances section 78-357(a). Applications go through the permits and inspections office with a sketch showing location, dimensions and construction plans, and anything built without one is subject to city demolition at the owner's expense.

Key details: Governing section: § 78-357, Code of Ordinances. Where it applies: Within Cross Lake's 172-foot contour line. Application requires: Sketch with location, dimensions, construction plans. Reviewing offices: Permits/inspections and water and sewerage. Max structure length: 300 feet from contour line, § 78-359.

Building a pier, boathouse or dock on Cross Lake without a permit, or building one that doesn't match the approved sketch, exposes the structure to city demolition under section 78-357(e)-(f), with the owner billed for the actual demolition cost and administrative charges. An unpaid demolition bill becomes a charge added to the owner's property tax roll after ten days' notice and another unpaid month.

Coastal Development

Shreveport sits on the Red River in northwest Louisiana, far outside the state Coastal Zone, so no Coastal Use Permit is required. Development near water is instead controlled by the city's floodplain, drainage and erosion ordinances.

Key details: Coastal Use Permit: Not required: outside coastal zone. Governing chapter: Code Ch. 34, Flood Prevention. Flood maps: Caddo Parish FIS, May 19, 2014. Red River SFHA elevation: 1.5 feet above high water mark. Permit before construction: Development permit, Sec. 34-46.

Building in a flood hazard area without a development permit is a misdemeanor punished under Sec. 1-14, plus injunctive action by the city.

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

Stormwater Management

Shreveport's stormwater quality ordinance bans any discharge to the city storm drainage system, Cross Lake or its tributaries that is not composed entirely of stormwater, and lists specific banned substances from motor oil to soapy washwater.

Key details: Governing article: Code Ch. 34, Article V. Protected waters: City storm drains, Cross Lake, tributaries. Illicit discharge fine: Up to $500 per day. Administered by: City engineer. Appeal route: Environmental court, Chapter 38.5.

Notice to cease, administrative fines up to $500 per day per violation, water service termination, liens, misdemeanor conviction up to 60 days, plus attorney fees and damages.

Compared to other cities, Shreveport takes a harder line on stormwater management. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Shreveport, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.