Outdoor Lighting in Shreveport, LA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Shreveport or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting 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 outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.

Light Trespass

Shreveport draws a hard numeric line on spillover: the maximum allowable footcandle at any lot line is one footcandle, and no glare onto adjacent properties is permitted. Non-residential and multi-family projects must prove it with a photometric plan.

Key details: Maximum at any lot line: One footcandle. Glare onto neighbors: Prohibited outright. Shielding reference point: 3.5 feet above ground, lot line. Lighting plan required for: Non-residential and multi-family uses. Exceeding one footcandle: Site plan review, security evidence.

Spillover above one footcandle at the lot line or glare onto a neighbor violates Section 7.2.B and is corrected through shielding, aiming, or fixture replacement.

Dark Sky Rules

Shreveport has adopted no dark-sky ordinance, no International Dark-Sky Association standard and no lamp color-temperature ceiling. Unified Development Code Section 7.2 still delivers much of the same effect through cutoff angles, luminaire height caps and a ban on high-intensity beams.

Key details: Dark-sky ordinance: None adopted. Cut off angle threshold: 75 degrees or less. Cut off luminaire height: 25 feet maximum. No cut off luminaire height: 15 feet maximum. Prohibited fixtures: Searchlights, lasers, flashing lights.

Installing a luminaire above the height limit for its cutoff class without a variance or special use approval violates Section 7.2 and blocks site plan approval.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport's outdoor lighting 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.

These rules come from Shreveport's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.