Permits

Commercial/Residential Building, Air-Conditioning-Heating, Electrical, and Plumbing Applications
Building plans must be submitted and approved for all construction and reconstruction of buildings in Shreveport, La.  Permits are not required for painting or flooring.  Permits are required as follows:

• Residential/Commercial Demolition permits – Plumbing permit required before building permit can be issued
• Swimming Pool – Plumbing permit required before building permit can be issued
• Driveway/sidewalk – Site plan required
• Residential/commercial Accessory Structures – Site plan required
• Residential/commercial Addition – Site plan required
• Residential/commercial Remodel
• Residential/commercial Fence – Site plan required
• Residential/commercial new building
• Residential/commercial Roof
• Residential/commercial siding
• Commercial Tents – Site plan required
• Residential/commercial move

Click below to get applications:

General Building

HVAC

Electrical

Plumbing

Building Codes
Construction must conform to the 2009 International Building Code, the 2008 National Electrical Codes, 2000 Plumbing Code,  2006 International Mechanical Code, 2006 Edition of the Gas Code, Life Safety 101, NFP1 2009 Edition any Standard they Ref., and all local ordinances and regulations.

To begin the process, the following must be submitted:

             Permit Application or Plan Review Application

Two (2) complete sets of plans – drawings should include site plan, erosion control or detention calculations, landscaping, foundation plans, structural drawings,  parking lot, electrical, mechanical and plumbing plans.

Plans may be submitted by a contractor, architect, engineer or owner. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the permit fee will be added for all commercial new/remodel  plan reviews.

Inspections
Work covered by a permit must commence within six (6) months of the time the permit is issued or the permit becomes void.  The permit card should be placed on the front of the building to be seen from the street and be available for the inspector to sign after making the inspection.

The permit holder is responsible for notifying this office to request inspections at (318) 673-6100. Inspections are required when foundations are formed before any concrete is poured, when the framing is complete, before any finish materials are installed, and at the completion of all work.  Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections are required at similar stages of work.

When all inspections have been made and the final inspections have been completed, you may apply for the Certificate of Occupancy at (318) 673-6442.

Certificates of Occupancy
A certificate of occupancy is required when a new business opens, when there is a change of ownership to an existing business, an existing business relocates or a business changes names.   This ensures that the property is properly zoned for the type of business that will locate there and to ensure that the building is safe to occupy.  This certificate is required of all commercial buildings.

Home Based Business
A certificate is required to ensure that the type of business meets the guidelines as set forth in Ordinance 236, Section 106-1124. 

Sign Permits
An individual or business who wishes to place a sign on or off their premises must obtain a sign permit from the Zoning Administration Office.  The purpose of obtaining this permit is to be in compliance with the City Ordinance and to ensure that the sign meets all proper height and setback requirements.

No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated without first securing a sign permit from the Chief Building Official.  No permit will be required when changing out the sign face of an existing business.  However, a permit is required for changing out the sign face to a new business or ownership.  Such permit shall contain the location of the sign structure, the name and address of the sign erector which shall be obtained from such drawings showing the design and location of the sign and such other pertinent information as deemed necessary to ensure compliance with all ordinances of the city.  The zoning administrator shall ensure that all requirements of this chapter have been met prior to a permit being issued.

An individual or business who wishes to place a sign on or off their premises must obtain a sign permit from the Zoning Administration Office.  The purpose of obtaining this permit is to be in compliance with the City Ordinance and to ensure that the sign meets all proper height and setback requirements.

Back Flow Preventers - 2000 State Plumbing Code - Appendix D
The purpose of a backflow preventer is to provide protection of the public from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating such contamination or pollutants which could backflow or back-siphon into a potable water supply.  Contact Gene Richardson, Chief Plumbing Inspector at (318) 673-6142 for additional information. 

Backflow preventers are required as follows:

• All Fire Lines    

• Hotels

• Motels

• All Yard Sprinklers

• Restaurants

• Rest Homes

• Hospitals

• High Rise Buildings

• Funeral Homes

All backflow preventers shall be tested when they are installed and every year thereafter.

Land Altering Permits
The main purpose of this permit is to limit sediment runoff into water bodies, especially Cross Lake.  It was expanded this year to other lands beyond the city limits but within the area of the Cross Lake Watershed.  This permit will not be needed in cases where a building permit is required.  However, a land-altering permit will have to be issued for clearing, grafting, and excavating activities which either don’t involve a building (such as a subdivision development) or which will be done before the building permit is issued.  Click here for the permit application form, fee schedule and guidelines.  Contact the Engineering Division at (318) 673-6000.

Cross Lake Construction Permit
You may obtain the application from the Cross Lake Water Patrol (318) 673-7647.  The Cross Lake permit is for construction or repair of boat houses within 172 feet of the contour line which constitutes the Cross Lake Watershed.

Fireworks
A fireworks retailer shall have in his possession a valid permit issued by the Fire Prevention Bureau of Shreveport.  Permits are issued after receipt of application for fire works sales, permit fee of $50.00 is received and a satisfactory inspection by the Fire Prevention Bureau is conducted in conjunction with the Permits/Zoning Office.  Retail sales and display (318) 673-6740

Contractor's Registration
Any unregistered person or contractor wishing to perform Air Conditioning/Heating, Electrical, and/or Plumbing within the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, MUST have a contractor’s registration and an Occupational (Business) License.  To obtain an application for testing for Electrical and Air Condition/Heating Journeyman or Master Registration can contact:

Electrical and HVAC Contractors performing work that exceeds $10,000 MUST possess a State of Louisiana Master License obtained from the State of Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors .

Plumbing Journeyman and Master License MUST be obtained from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.

Click here to get the more information on the City's Occupational (Business) License.

Useful Websites
Caddo Parish Permits
Louisiana State Fire Marshal
State of Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors
Louisiana (Caddo Parish) Department of Health and Hospitals

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