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Shreveport, LA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Sub-districts covered
6 (CBD, E, CMU, RMU, AC, HC)
Max blank wall length
35 linear feet
Ground-floor transparency
50% (35% in E/HC)
Upper-floor transparency
15% of wall area
Limited materials cap
35% of facade, decorative only

Summary

Shreveport's D-1 Downtown Zoning District applies Table 4-6 design standards to new construction and major facade rehabilitation across six downtown sub-districts. UDC Section 4.4.D.1 bars long blank walls, requires distinctive entrances, and imposes ground-floor transparency minimums, tailoring the rules to the Core, Entertainment, Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential Mixed-Use, Arts and Culture, and Heavy Commercial areas.

Downtown Design Standards1.The following design standards apply to new construction, substantial repair or rehabilitation meant to remedy damage or deterioration of the exterior façade of an existing structure, and additions to an existing structure. However, only those standards that relate to the specific repair, rehabilitation, or addition apply. These standards do not apply to interior remodeling. Table 4-6: Downtown Design Standards indicates the applicability of building design standards to the Downtown Sub-Districts... Building facades that abut a public right-of-way, excluding alleys, must not contain blank wall areas that exceed 35 linear feet, measured parallel to the street.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 Update 1 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 20).

Full Breakdown

Downtown Shreveport is divided into six sub-districts (D-1-CBD Core, D-1-E Entertainment, D-1-CMU Commercial Mixed-Use, D-1-RMU Residential Mixed-Use, D-1-AC Arts and Culture, and D-1-HC Heavy Commercial), and UDC Section 4.4.D applies Table 4-6's design standards to all of them for new construction, substantial facade repair, and additions, though not to interior remodeling.

Facade rules bar blank wall areas exceeding 35 linear feet along a public right-of-way, and any facade longer than 100 feet must repeat a pattern of color, texture, material, or a wall articulation change of at least two feet in depth every 40 feet or less. Ground-floor front facades must hit 50% transparency (35% in the Entertainment and Heavy Commercial sub-districts) measured up to 14 feet, and upper floors need 15% transparency in the Core, Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential Mixed-Use, and Arts and Culture sub-districts.

Rooflines longer than 100 feet must be variegated with a focal feature such as a dormer or gable at least every 75 feet, and parapet walls in several sub-districts need three-dimensional cornice treatments. Reflective roofs that produce glare are banned everywhere downtown except for solar panels or white roofs designed to radiate heat. High-rises over 175 feet are encouraged, though not required, to use a distinctive rooftop design.

Section 4.4.D.2 also caps plain concrete block, corrugated metal, aluminum or steel siding, rough exposed aggregate panels, T-111 plywood siding, plastic, and vinyl to no more than 35% of any street-facing facade or any facade abutting a residential lot, when used only as decorative or non-structural elements.

Violations & Fines

Downtown design compliance is reviewed at site plan and building permit stage by the Zoning Administrator; the Code of Ordinances Section 1-14 general penalty applies to violations of the design standards, up to $1,000.00 or 60 days imprisonment, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the Zoning Administrator may withhold a certificate of occupancy under UDC Section 16.15 until the required design elements are built.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shreveport's downtown design standards apply to every building?
Only to new construction, substantial facade repair or rehabilitation, and additions, under UDC Section 4.4.D.1. Interior remodeling is exempt. The specific standard that applies depends on which of the six D-1 sub-districts the building sits in, since Table 4-6 marks each design requirement only for the sub-districts where it applies.
Can a downtown building use vinyl or metal siding?
Only as a decorative accent. Section 4.4.D.2 limits plain concrete block, corrugated metal, aluminum or steel siding, rough exposed aggregate, T-111 plywood, plastic, and vinyl to no more than 35% of any facade that faces a public right-of-way or abuts a residentially used lot, and only as non-structural, non-surface-finish elements.
How much window area must a downtown storefront have?
In the Core, Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential Mixed-Use, and Arts and Culture sub-districts, the ground floor of the front facade must be 50% transparent up to 14 feet in height; the Entertainment and Heavy Commercial sub-districts use a 35% threshold instead, per Table 4-6.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Shreveport

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Shreveport rules

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