Landscaping Rules in Shreveport, LA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Shreveport, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Shreveport requires owners of trees, shrubs and hedges on sidewalks or overhanging public rights-of-way to keep them trimmed to at least seven feet above sidewalks and fifteen feet above streets. Untrimmed growth blocking sight lines or streetlights is declared a public nuisance under City Code Sec. 98-26.
Trees Overhanging Streets Must Be Trimmed
Some RestrictionsShreveport Code of Ordinances § 98-26(b) (Ord. No. 185, 2004, 11-30-04)
All trees, shrubs and hedges located on public rights-of-way or located on private property but hanging or encroaching onto public rights-of-way shall be trimmed of ail limbs and foliage to a height of at least seven feet above the sidewalk, and fifteen feet above the street and curb level and shall be trimmed or planted in such a manner so as to result in a single trunk or stem. Any such plant...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
A tree removal permit in Shreveport is required for trees 30 inches or larger in caliper in street rights-of-way and other public grounds. Removing a tree on your own lot needs no city permit, though hired tree crews must be licensed and registered.
Removal Permits Cover Public Trees; Private Trees Need None
Few RestrictionsShreveport Unified Development Code § 10.5.B (Supp. No. 19)
A tree removal permit is required in order to remove any tree 30 inches or larger in caliper.
Weed Ordinances
Shreveport caps grass, weeds and wild growth at 12 inches on every occupied, vacant, residential and nonresidential property. Fines escalate from $150 to $350, and city abatement adds a $500 administrative charge secured by a lien on the property.
Grass Over 12 Inches Triggers Fines and a City Lien
Heavy RestrictionsShreveport Code of Ordinances § 38-61(a) (Grass and weeds and wild growth)
shall be required to cut, destroy or remove weeds, grass, harmful or unhealthy growths or other obnoxious or wild matter growing, lying or located in or on any such property with a height equal to or greater than 12 inches
Rainwater Harvesting
Shreveport's code contains no rainwater-harvesting ordinance, no permit and no cistern rules. Rain barrels are lawful. The binding constraint is the Property Standards Code's stagnant-water and mosquito-breeding provisions, which reach any open or uncovered container of standing water.
Rain Barrels Unregulated; Standing Water Is the Limit
Few RestrictionsShreveport Code of Ordinances § 38-51(c) (Stagnant Water and Unsanitary Conditions)
to eliminate, fill up, or remove stagnant pools of water or any other unsanitary thing, place or condition which might become a breeding place for mosquitoes, flies, vermin and germs that are harmful to the health of the community
Native Plants
Shreveport does not require native landscaping. Required trees and plantings must come from the Tree and Plant Palette in UDC Section 10.12, and the MPC Executive Director may approve other species that are native or naturalized to the area.
Approved Plant Palette, No Native-Plant Mandate
Few RestrictionsShreveport Unified Development Code § 10.2.A (Tree and Plant Palette)
Required trees and plantings must comply with the list of trees and plants that are suitable for local soil and climate conditions, as listed in Section 10.12. The Executive Director may approve plants not included in the list if the species are native or naturalized to the area
Artificial Turf
Shreveport has no ordinance that permits or bans artificial turf by name. UDC Section 10.8 requires every part of a lot not covered by structures or paving to be landscaped with living plantings, allowing stone or mulch as pervious alternatives.
Artificial Turf Is Not a Listed Landscape Material
Some RestrictionsShreveport Unified Development Code § 10.8 (Landscape Requirements in All Districts)
All portions of a lot not covered by structures or paved surfaces must be landscaped with trees, shrubs, grass, live groundcover, and other plantings. The landscape design may also include the use of stone, mulch beds, or other pervious landscaping materials.
Composting
Shreveport's Unified Development Code treats a compost pile as a permitted accessory use in every residential and non-residential district. No building permit is required, but the pile must sit at least five feet from every lot line and cannot occupy the front yard or the corner side yard facing a street, the same placement rule that governs sheds and detached garages.
Shreveport Allows Backyard Compost Piles, 5-Foot Setback
Some RestrictionsShreveport Unified Development Code § 7.4, Table 7-1 (Compost Pile) (Ord. No. 19, 2018, § 30, 3-13-18; Ord. No. 75, 2022, § 5, 6-14-22)
Compost Pile Min. of 5' from any lot line Prohibited in front or corner side yard No building permit required