|
|
|
Permits, Licenses and Utilities Information |
| Business Resource Guide Index| Certificate of Occupancy | Sign Permits | Building Permits | Water & Sewerage Charges | Permits & Specialized Service Fees | Other Utilities & Basic Services | Alcoholic Beverages | Recycle | License & Registering | Red River & Wetlands Applications |
|
ZONING All property located inside the City of Shreveport and within approximately five miles of the City limits is zoned for specific land uses. The three broad classifications are:
There are numerous sub-categories within each of these classifications which further define specific types of zoning and permissible land uses. All re-zoning decisions are first made by the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), a nine-member citizen board, which then forwards its recommendations for zoning ordinances and ordinance amendments to the City Council (for cases inside the City of Shreveport) and the Caddo Parish Commission (for outside-city cases). Any citizen desiring to locate a business
or manufacturing operation within the MPC’s jurisdiction should
first determine whether the proposed site is properly zoned for the
intended business or industrial purpose. This can be done by providing
a legal description of the property (from tax notice or property deed)
to the: Government Plaza, Room 440, (318) 673-6480, If the proposed site is not properly zoned, the property owner or his authorized agent can file an application to the MPC for re-zoning at a cost of $350.00. VARIANCES AND SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS -- Sometimes a parcel of property is properly zoned, but the proposed development cannot, for a number of legitimate reasons, occur without a special exception approval or without a variance in one or more requirements. Requests for variances in zoning requirements and special exceptions are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Information and applications can be obtained from the Metropolitan Planning Commission office. A fee of $200 is charged for each application for a variance. A fee of $350 is charged for special exception applications. Approval of land use does not constitute approval to start operating your business. A certificate of occupancy and an occupational license are also necessary. MINOR MODIFICATIONS AND PLANNING DIRECTOR APPROVALS -- Some variations from strict compliance with zoning ordinance requirements can be handled by MPC staff. Please contact the Metropolitan Planning Commission office at (318) 673-6480 to determine if your request can be handled in this simpler manner. The fee for a minor modification for planning director approval is $100. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCYBefore
a commercial or industrial building can be occupied and used, a Certificate
of Occupancy is required. Provided all building and other code requirements
have been met and building and zoning requirements are complied with,
the office of Zoning Administration will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
Such certificates are also required before an occupational license
can be issued. Home-Based Businesses are also required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. For a copy of the Home Occupation Criteria, call (318) 673-6440. NOTE - Certificates of Occupancy are not to be confused with Occupational License Taxes Requirements. For information on Occupational License Taxes, see Basic Business Taxes. License Taxes Requirements. For information on Occupational License Taxes, see Section 4, Basic Business Taxes. SIGN PERMITS Prior to the construction or placement of outdoor advertising structures a permit from the Office of Zoning Administration must first be obtained. Placement, size, and type of structure must accompany the application. Contact: Office of Zoning Administration, Government Plaza, Room 440, (318) 673-6440. TOPBUILDING PERMITSOften, the establishment of a new business or the expansion of an existing one involves building construction, alterations, renovation or enlargement. In these cases, construction permits of various types (building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or sign) are likely to be required. Following is information about the permitting process. WHO ISSUES PERMITS?
The City's Permits Center issues construction permits. WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED? A permit is required whenever an owner, authorized agent or contractor proposes to construct, enlarge, alter, repair or move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a structure, or is going to construct, alter, repair or move air conditioning and ventilating systems, electrical systems, plumbing and gas piping systems, sprinkler and fire extinguishing systems, elevators, signs, incinerators, furnaces or boilers. WHAT TO BRING WHEN APPLYING FOR A PERMIT? When applying for a permit, two complete sets of plans and specifications are required. One complete set will be returned to you when the permit is issued. WHO MUST PREPARE THE PLANS? A mechanical engineer registered to do business in Louisiana must prepare and place his seal on all plans for mechanical installations valued at $10,000 or more in commercial and industrial buildings, apartments or townhouses. When the permit is for a commercial or industrial building, apartments or townhouses (with four or more units) having a value of $50,000.00 or more, the plans must be prepared by and bear the name and seal of either an architect or civil engineer registered to do business in Louisiana. Otherwise, the owner or a plan service may prepare the detailed plans. WHAT MUST A COMPLETE SET OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE? The plans and specifications which accompany a permit application must be prepared in detail sufficient for the City's reviewers to determine if all code requirements are met. Required submittals must include:
Specific, detailed information is required within each of these submittals. To help avoid confusion and otherwise unnecessary delay, you are encouraged to contact the Permits and Inspections Division for additional information about these requirements. HOW ARE PLANS REVIEWED? Plans are reviewed by the Permits and Inspections Division and other officials to assure that the requirements of the following codes and ordinances are met:
This generally requires that representatives of several City departments review the submitted plans. For simple projects with properly completed plans, application reviews can often be completed in one or two days. Projects which affect exits, stairs, seating arrangements, handicap accessibility, or any other features covered under state statues must be submitted to the State Fire Marshal for review. This may take from two to three weeks. If a project does not include any of these features, or you aren’t sure if your plans need to be submitted to the State Fire Marshal, you are encouraged to contact the Shreveport Fire Prevention Bureau at (318) 673-6740 for a determination. WHAT OTHER PERMITS ARE REQUIRED? If a new driveway is required, a permit must be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer. The Permits and Inspections Division can assist in determining whether a driveway permit is needed. If construction involves assembly occupancies, above or underground fuel tanks, explosive storage or handling, or a burn permit, the Fire Prevention Bureau will require a separate permit. Note: City Ord. #10 of 1997 requires permit fees for retail sales and display of fireworks. If a project involves food and/or beverage handling facilities, the plans must be reviewed by the Caddo Parish Health Unit, 1035 Creswell, Shreveport, LA 71101, (318) 676-5222. Although there is no fee for plan review, a permit fee must be paid before such businesses begin operation. IS THERE A PERMIT FEE? Permit fees are established by City ordinance and vary based on the scale of the project. If work begins without a permit, the permit fee will be doubled and other penalties may be imposed. WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THE PERMIT? Permits are issued in the name of the applicant. For that reason, it is generally helpful to have the contractor (rather than the building's owner or lessee) apply for the permit. This will assure that the contractor is held responsible for correcting any code violations. The decision as to whom the permit is issued rests with the building or project owner. Commercial/Industrial projects costing $50,000 or more must be constructed by a contractor licensed by the State of Louisiana and all insurance requirements are to be on file. Out-of-state contractors must post a bond required by the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation prior to the issuance of any construction permits. For additional information, contact the Sales Tax Section in Baton Rouge at (225) 925-7356. CAN PRELIMINARY PLANS BE REVIEWED BEFORE BIDDING? The City encourages building owners, architects and engineers to submit plans for review before bidding. Although no permit will be issued at that time, corrections required as a result of a pre-bid review can be made without the necessity of costly change orders. WHEN WILL A PERMIT BE ISSUED? Permits are issued as soon as all plans and specifications have been reviewed and approved. Applicants will be notified when a permit is ready to be issued by telephone, fax or letter. Permits may be issued with written stipulations that minor changes be made to the plans, or during construction. NEED HELP? CONTACT THE HELP DESK. In recognition of the complexities of the plans review and permitting processes, a "Help Desk" has been established within the Permits and Inspections Division. For answers to questions, concerns or problems involving permit applications, plan reviews, code interpretations and on-site compliance inspections, please contact the Help Desk at the Permits and Inspections Division or by telephone at (318) 673-6100. Waiver of Permit Fees for Rehabilitation
or Renovation of Properties Located Within the Downtown Development
District – In an
effort to re-develop and beautify the Shreveport downtown and riverfront
areas, the City has waived all permit fees incidental to the rehabilitation
or renovation including any repairs, alterations, or additions of
buildings and structures located within the DowntownDevelopment District
(DDD). Qualifying buildings and structures must have been constructed
prior to 1960. WATER & SEWER CHARGES The City of Shreveport owns and operates the City's water and sewerage system through its Department of Operational Services, Office of Water and Sewerage. ESTABLISHING SERVICE -- New accounts may be opened by visiting or telephoning the Customer Service Division between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at: Permits Center, Government Plaza, Room 130, (318) 673-6097. A deposit is not required to establish service, however, a one-time connection fee is levied to open each account. Deposits are required for accounts that have been disconnected and for previous customers with existing balances. This deposit varies for residential, commercial and industrial accounts, depending on the water meter size. Customers may also check balances and due dates of water and sewer bills by calling (318) 673-5463. RATES AND CHARGES:
Connection to the sewerage system is
compulsory for residences or buildings required by building code to
have toilet facilities, and for every residence or building containing
a sewage fixture or privy. However there are several exceptions by
ordinance. For more information contact: Permits Center, Billing: -- All water and sewerage accounts are billed monthly by the City of Shreveport. OUTSIDE-CITY SERVICE: Outside-city service may be provided by the City of Shreveport subject to the availability of service and approval of the City Council. In virtually all cases, approval is not granted unless the property owner agrees to be annexed into the City or a special contract is negotiated. Outside-city rates are greater than those charged to inside-city customers. In addition, businesses and residents outside of the City tying directly to the City’s water and/or sewer mains must submit plans and obtain construction permits. Permit information starts on page 3.2. WATER AND SEWER MAIN EXTENSION: If no water or sewer main serves your business or industrial location, information on water or sewer main extensions may be obtained from: Permits Center, Government Plaza, Room 130, (318) 673-7697. PERMITS & SPECIALIZED SERVICE FEESAlong with deposits for water and sewer service, various permits are authorized and special fees levied by City Ordinance and Procedure. Permits may be obtained or special fees paid at: Permits Center, Government Plaza, Room 130, (318) 673-6097.
OTHER UTILITIES & BASIC SERVICES WHO SERVICES SHREVEPORT? Property within the City of Shreveport is served by the following utility companies and organizations: Electric Power: AEP Southwestern Electric Power. Electrical power to a structure can be obtained by calling the AEP-SWEPCO Customer Service Department at 888-216-3523. AEP-SWEPCO requires an application for all electrical accounts. After the application has been submitted and the deposit paid (if required), AEP-SWEPCO will provide the electricity. If you have a commercial building, a new building of any type or a mobile home, an inspection by the electrical department will have to be made and violations corrected before electricity will be provided. www.aep.com Natural Gas: CenterPoint Energy -Arkla. Natural gas service from CenterPoint Energy -Arkla may be obtained by calling (318) 275-5252, arkla.centerpointenergy.com. Telephone: Bell South (local telephone service only). Local telephone service from BellSouth may be obtained by calling (866) 620-6000 for new Commercial Service or (888) 757-6500 for new Residential Service, www.bellsouth.com Cable TV: Times Warner Cable. Cable television service from Time Warner Cable may be established by calling (318) 213-4100, www.timewarnercable.com. Garbage/Trash Collection and Disposal: City of Shreveport, Solid Waste Division, (for residential and limited business collections) and private contractors for all other solid waste collection and disposal service. Garbage/Trash Collection and
Disposal: For nonindustrial commercial establishments
and residential complexes with more than four housing units needing
or requiring solid waste collection and disposal services beyond those
mentioned here, licensed private collection and disposal services
should be contacted. Such services are listed in the The City’s Solid Waste Division is also responsible for the Woolworth Road Regional Solid Waste Facility or sanitary landfill. For more information about either the solid waste which can be disposed of at the City’s sanitary landfill or about City- provided solid waste collection services, please feel call (318) 673-6300. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Before a license to sell alcoholic beverages at any location within the City of Shreveport can be secured, the Alcohol Beverage Control Board must approve and issue a permit. Applications and answers to specific questions regarding the alcohol/beverage permit and license may be obtained from: Police Department - ABO Office, (318) 673-6140. The Caddo Parish Health Unit must review Food and Beverage Handling facilities. Contact: (318) 676-5222. Recycling of paper, plastic, metal, glass and other commodities occurs at a City- sponsored buyback recycling facility operated by Browning-Ferris Industries at 4761 St. Vincent Avenue. The Shreveport Regional Recycling Center collects and processes source-separated recyclable goods, including used motor oil and Goodwill items. The center pays market prices for newspapers, aluminum cans and other recyclables. Deposit accounts are offered for non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals to raise money through recycling. Two offshoots of the recycling center
are satellite centers and mobile recycling units. Satellite centers
are unattended 24-hour drop-offs for newspapers and aluminum cans.
Eleven such sites are strategically located throughout Shreveport-Bossier
City. Mobile recycling units are fully attended recycling trailers
that travel around the community providing recycling collection for
non-profit organizations, such as churches and schools. These two
programs are jointly sponsored by the Solid Waste Division and BFI.
For monthly listings of mobile recycling unit locations, call Shreveport
Green. ADDITIONAL LICENSE AND REGISTERING INFORMATION The Louisiana Services Directory provides a consolidated and comprehensive online directory of requirements for licenses and permits, certifications, registrations, and filings, as well as publications, databases and information resources, www.srch2.doa.state.la.us/sdsprod/user/usermain.asp.New Business Registration -- For information and forms, contact the Louisiana Secretary of State’s First Stop Business Shop. Contact: 800-259-0001 or (225) 922-2675. www.sec.state.la.us Alcoholic Beverage and/or Tobacco
Licenses -- Any business selling beer, liquor, soft drinks
or tobacco must obtain a state alcoholic beverage and/or tobacco
license; the issuing authority is the Louisiana Department of Public
Safety, Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Hospital, Nursing Home and Adult Day Care Center Licenses -- A license is required by the State of Louisiana before a hospital, nursing home or adult day care center may be opened; the issuing authority is the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Contact:(225) 342-0138; http://www.state.la.us. Day Care Center Licenses -- A license is required by the State of Louisiana before a day care center may be opened; the issuing authority is the Department of Social Services. Contact: (225) 342-0138, http://www.dss.state.la.us Environmental Licenses and Permits -- A range of licenses and permits are granted to businesses in compliance with state and federal environmental regulations; the issuing authority for most federal and state licenses and permits is the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. For further information on state and federal regulations, permits and licenses, contact the appropriate office listed below or visit DEQ's Website at http://www.deq.state.la.us Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Divisions: (888) 763-5424 or (225) 765-0869. Air Quality and Radiation Protection Divisions: (225) 765-2595. The Department of Environmental Quality also offers a technical assistance program for small businesses. The hotline number is (800) 259-2890 or (225) 765-2453. The Northwest (Shreveport) regional office may be contacted at (318) 676-7476. Office of Water Resources: (888) 763-5424 or (225) 765-0246 (for information on Water Pollution Control). Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) -- OSHA requires no licenses or permits;
however, it does require the display of a poster describing relevant
rights and responsibilities. Most employers must keep a log of work-related
injuries and illnesses, which must be accessible to employees. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- The EPA oversees all federal environmental legislation. It also has jurisdiction over the issuance of various permits and licenses, although this jurisdiction does not extend over all states for all environmental matters. To determine whether a particular business enterprise is subject to EPA regulations and whether the EPA or the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is the appropriate licensing authority, contact: Region 6 Office (includes Louisiana), (214) 665-2200. www.epa.gov The EPA also provides toll-free hot lines to provide information on specific legislative acts and requirements. For general information about EPA requirements and about the limits of federal licensing and permitting jurisdiction, visit: www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm. RED RIVER AND WETLANDS APPLICATIONS Red River Construction/Activities -- The Caddo-Bossier Port Commission by law is mandated to regulate commerce and traffic on the Red River within the parishes of Caddo and Bossier. Performance under this mandate requires permit procedures for certain types of activities, including: construction and/or dredging affecting navigable waters, passenger and/or marina type activities, and any activity on the Red River requiring permit authority from any Planning Commission or Levee Board and/or U.S. Coast Guard. Approval must be obtained from the appropriate agency/agencies before the Port Commission will make a final determination. Contact: (318) 524-2272, www.portsb.com. Wetlands Applications -- The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for permits involving the waters of the United States. Often a 404 Permit or Wetlands mitigation permit is required in development. All applications or inquiries should be directed to the Vicksburg District, (601) 631-5053. www.usace.army.mil |