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Shreveport's Unified Development Code Article 23 caps Type A short-term rentals (renting a portion of a dwelling or accessory dwelling unit) at two adults per bedroom. Type B-1 permits (renting an entire dwelling) are capped at ten adults. A Type B-2 designation applies whenever a Type B exceeds ten adults or sits within 500 feet of another permitted STR.
Shreveport's Unified Development Code Article 23 requires every short-term rental applicant to provide proof of liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 in coverage as part of the Type A or Type B permit application filed with the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission.
STR guests must use designated parking. Guest vehicles must comply with local parking restrictions and not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Shreveport's Unified Development Code Section 7.3 (Accessory Structures and Uses) limits residential carports to 20 feet in length and 10 feet in height. Carports must sit over a driveway, be open on at least two sides, and be permanent construction. They are permitted only in the interior side, corner side, or rear yard.
Shreveport permits accessory dwelling units in certain zoning districts under the Unified Development Code. ADUs must comply with setback and lot coverage requirements.
Small sheds under 200 square feet may not require a building permit in Shreveport. Larger structures need permits and must meet setback requirements.
Shreveport allows garage conversions with a building permit. The converted space must meet building code standards for habitable rooms. Parking requirements may apply.
Louisiana applies the State Uniform Construction Code Appendix Q for tiny houses 400 square feet or less, preempting local construction standards while reserving lot, density, and zoning rules to parishes.
Shreveport requires property owners to maintain vegetation under Chapter 58 (Nuisances). Grass and weeds exceeding 12 inches are considered a nuisance subject to city abatement.
Shreveport may impose water conservation restrictions during drought conditions. The Shreveport Water and Sewer Department manages water use regulations.
Shreveport requires property owners to maintain trees that overhang public rights-of-way. Branches must provide adequate clearance over sidewalks and streets.
Shreveport protects certain trees through its development code. Removing trees in development areas may require mitigation. Heritage trees and trees in historic districts have additional protections.
Above-ground pools in Shreveport must meet barrier and safety requirements. Pools holding more than 18 inches of water need compliant barriers.
Shreveport requires residential pools to meet safety standards including anti-entrapment drain covers. Pools must comply with the adopted building code and Louisiana sanitary code requirements.
Shreveport requires pool barriers per the adopted building code. Residential pools must have a fence at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Shreveport regulates noise under Chapter 58 (Nuisances) of the Code of Ordinances. Excessive noise that disturbs the peace of residential neighborhoods is prohibited, with stricter enforcement during nighttime hours from 10 PM to 6 AM.
Shreveport permits construction during standard daytime hours. Construction is generally allowed from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. Sunday construction in residential areas is restricted.
Shreveport addresses barking dogs under Chapter 14 (Animals and Fowl). Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors constitutes a nuisance. Shreveport Animal Services handles complaints.
Aircraft noise in navigable airspace is exclusively regulated by the FAA under federal law. Louisiana parishes and municipalities cannot enforce noise ordinances against lawful in-flight aircraft operations. Louisiana's Aviation Code addresses airport zoning but recognizes federal supremacy over flight noise.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regulates industrial facility air emissions and operations under La. R.S. 30:2001 et seq., but Louisiana has no comprehensive statewide industrial noise standard. Civil Code Article 667 provides universal nuisance protection for neighbors of industrial operations causing unreasonable noise.
Shreveport permits consumer fireworks (Class C) during designated periods around Independence Day and New Year's Eve. Illegal fireworks and discharging outside permitted dates carry fines.
Shreveport regulates outdoor burning through the fire code. Residential burning of leaves and yard debris may be permitted with conditions, but burning trash is prohibited.
Shreveport allows recreational fire pits with restrictions. Pits must maintain clearance from structures, be attended at all times, and burn only approved fuels.
The Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission regulates propane storage, installation, and dispensing statewide under RS 40:1846 et seq., requiring licensed installers, NFPA 58 compliance, and tank registration that preempts most local technical standards.
Shreveport enforces parking regulations on public streets. Vehicles may not be parked in the same location for extended periods. Posted restrictions apply in various areas.
Shreveport restricts parking of recreational vehicles and boats on public streets and in residential front yards. RVs and boats should be stored behind the front building line.
Shreveport requires vehicles to park on improved surfaces. Parking on front lawns is prohibited. Driveways must meet city standards for width and materials.
Shreveport restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. Heavy trucks and vehicles with commercial equipment face overnight parking restrictions.
Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 32, Chapter 5-A (R.S. 32:1711 et seq.) establish the statewide framework for removing, storing, and disposing of abandoned vehicles. Local governments operate under this state procedure for notice, lien, and auction.
Shreveport follows Louisiana state law for boundary fences. Under Louisiana Civil Code, both neighbors share the cost of a common fence on the property line.
Shreveport limits fence heights under the Unified Development Code. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet. Taller fences may require approval.
Standard fences within height limits generally do not require a building permit in Shreveport. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls, and masonry walls typically require permits.
The Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC Title 51, Part XII) and the State Uniform Construction Code adopt the International Residential Code, which requires barriers around residential swimming pools. These statewide minimum standards apply across all parishes and municipalities for new pools.
Shreveport requires all dogs to be on a leash or under physical control when off the owner's property. Chapter 14 prohibits dogs from running at large.
Shreveport does not enforce breed-specific bans. Dogs are regulated based on individual behavior. Dogs declared dangerous or vicious face strict containment and insurance requirements.
Shreveport allows beekeeping with conditions. Hives must be set back from property lines and maintained to prevent nuisance conditions. Registration with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture is recommended.
Shreveport and Louisiana regulate exotic animal ownership. Certain dangerous wild animals require permits. Primates and large predators are regulated under state law.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries holds exclusive authority over wildlife management. State regulations prohibit feeding alligators and restrict baiting of deer and other game animals. These rules apply uniformly statewide regardless of municipal ordinances.
Shreveport allows home occupations in residential zones under Article 6 of the Unified Development Code. The business must be secondary to residential use and comply with operational limits.
Home businesses in Shreveport may not display commercial signage visible from the street. No exterior advertising of home occupations is permitted in residential zones.
Home businesses in Shreveport must limit customer visits to avoid disrupting residential areas. Client traffic must not exceed normal residential levels.
La. R.S. 40:4.10 authorizes cottage food production at home statewide without a state inspection or permit. Producers may sell up to $20,000 annually directly to consumers. Cities cannot require a separate health permit for compliant operations.
La. R.S. 17:407.31 et seq. and 17:407.61 et seq. require statewide licensing of early learning centers and certification of family child care homes through the Louisiana Department of Education. Local zoning cannot prohibit licensed home child care.
Shreveport has significant FEMA-designated flood zones along the Red River, Cross Bayou, and various bayous and creeks. Development in flood zones requires elevation above base flood elevation and flood insurance.
The State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978 (La. R.S. 49:214.21 et seq.) requires Coastal Use Permits for development within the Louisiana Coastal Zone. The Department of Energy and Natural Resources administers permits statewide.
Louisiana implements the federal NPDES stormwater program through the Department of Environmental Quality under La. R.S. 30:2074 and LAC Title 33. Construction sites disturbing one or more acres need an LPDES permit, regardless of local rules.
Under La. R.S. 40:1046, only nine licensed marijuana pharmacies may dispense therapeutic cannabis statewide, one per Louisiana Board of Pharmacy region. Local governments cannot authorize additional dispensaries or recreational stores.
Louisiana prohibits all home cultivation of marijuana for personal use under La. R.S. 40:966. Therapeutic cannabis is grown only by two licensed agricultural centers. No municipality may authorize personal home growing because state law preempts and criminalizes it.
Commercial drone use in Louisiana requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. La. R.S. 14:283.3 and 14:337 add statewide criminal penalties for surveillance over critical infrastructure or private property, regardless of any local ordinance.
Recreational drone flight in Louisiana is governed by FAA Part 107 and the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). State law (La. R.S. 14:283.3 and 14:337) adds privacy and surveillance crimes that apply uniformly statewide.
Louisiana defaults to the federal minimum wage and bars political subdivisions from setting local minimum wages, employment benefits, or vacation requirements for private employers.
Louisiana law prevents parishes and municipalities from compelling private employers to provide paid sick leave, vacation, or other employee benefits beyond state and federal requirements.
Louisiana preempts local predictive or fair workweek scheduling ordinances, leaving private employer scheduling, on-call practices, and shift changes to state and federal law.
Louisiana permits concealed handgun carry through state-issued permits and, as of 2024, allows permitless concealed carry for adults 18 and older meeting eligibility requirements.
Louisiana law preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority over firearms, ammunition, and components to the state legislature with very narrow exceptions.
Louisiana generally permits open carry of firearms by law-abiding adults without a license, subject to location-based restrictions and local discharge ordinances.
Louisiana law allows law-abiding adults to transport and carry handguns in personal vehicles, with permitless concealed carry available statewide for qualifying adults 18 and older.
Louisiana requires public contractors and certain private employers to verify employee work authorization through E-Verify or retain documentation under state law.
Louisiana prohibits sanctuary policies and requires local governments and law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, preempting any contrary local rule.
Louisiana protects agricultural land uses from local zoning that conflicts with the Right to Farm Law and authorizes parishes to designate agricultural districts for preservation.
Louisiana's Right to Farm Law shields established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when they predate complaining neighbors and follow generally accepted agricultural practices.
Louisiana preempts local governments from banning, taxing, or regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags, polystyrene, and beverage containers used at retail.
Louisiana law preempts local bans on polystyrene foam food containers and other auxiliary containers, leaving regulation of these single-use items to the state legislature.
Louisiana preempts local ordinances banning or restricting plastic straws and similar single-use service items, classifying them as auxiliary containers under state law.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:1149.4 prohibits homeowners associations from completely banning solar collectors. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic restrictions on placement and appearance, but cannot effectively prevent solar installation. This applies statewide regardless of city or parish rules.
Louisiana adopts the National Electrical Code via the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, setting consistent permit and inspection standards for solar PV installations. Local jurisdictions issue permits but must apply the state-adopted electrical and structural codes uniformly.
Louisiana prohibits the sale, purchase, and possession of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products by anyone under 21, conforming state law to federal Tobacco 21 standards.
Louisiana does not prohibit flavored tobacco or vapor products statewide, but limits sales to registry-approved electronic nicotine devices and bars youth-targeted marketing.
Louisiana requires vapor and alternative nicotine product retailers to obtain state permits, follow age verification, and comply with restrictions on flavors and youth-oriented marketing.