FENCE RULES – SHREVEPORT (CITY), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of Shreveport, subject to local regulations.
The principal residential fence standards for the City of Shreveport appear in the Unified Development Code, especially the fence and wall standards in Article 7, the sight triangle restrictions in Section 7.1.E, the fence definitions in Article 2, and the historic preservation procedures in Article 21 when applicable. Building permit administration appears on the City’s permit pages, and maintenance context also appears on the Property Standards page.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, Building Permits FAQ, Zoning Information page, Property Standards page, Metropolitan Planning Commission page, and Historic Preservation Commission application materials, as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Shreveport does not publish a standalone residential fence code. Residential fence rules appear primarily in the Unified Development Code, with related permit administration on the City’s building permit pages and related maintenance enforcement through Property Standards.
• Primary Code Document: Unified Development Code, especially Article 7, with related definitions in Article 2 and historic preservation procedures in Article 21
• Permit Office: The City’s Permits Center
• Zoning and Planning Authority: Shreveport/Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC)
• Property Maintenance Enforcement: Property Standards
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit: A Building Permit is required for all fences, including the repair of existing fences. Construction permits are issued by The City’s Permits Center.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Shreveport/Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) before construction.
• Historic Preservation Overlay Districts: Within a designated and mapped Historic Preservation Overlay District, a Certificate of Appropriateness is required when a fence project creates a material change in exterior appearance and also requires a regulated permit. That approval must be obtained before a building permit or other regulated permit is issued.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Lot Line Placement: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements or servitudes.
• Utility Safety: Louisiana’s Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law requires the person responsible for excavation or demolition to provide notice to the regional notification center (Louisiana 811) before digging. Notice must be provided at least two (2) full business days before the proposed commencement date of the excavation or demolition. Markings are considered valid up to 20 calendar days from the “mark-by” time, as long as the marks remain visible.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Open Fence Definition: An open fence is one with more than 50 percent of its surface consisting of regularly distributed openings.
• Front Yard: In the front yard, an open fence is permitted up to 6 feet in height. A non-open fence, wall, or hedge is limited to 3 feet.
• Corner Side and Reverse Corner Side Yards: In corner side and reverse corner side yards, an open fence is permitted up to 6 feet. A non-open fence, wall, or hedge is limited to 6 feet, except that the fence may exceed 6 feet to maintain an even fence line where grade decreases, but the total height may not exceed 8 feet.
• Interior Side and Rear Yards: In interior side and rear yards, a fence of any type, wall, or hedge is permitted up to 8 feet.
• Sight Triangle: Within the sight triangle, all structures, including a closed fence or wall, and all plantings are limited to 3 feet. A semi-open fence is permitted only if it complies with fence requirements and does not impair the sight triangle.
• Sight Triangle Measurement: The sight triangle is measured 5 feet from driveway intersections and 30 feet from street or alley intersections on corner lots. Where a right-of-way has an arc, the measurement begins where the property lines are extended to their intersection.
• Decorative Posts: Decorative fence or wall posts may exceed the maximum height by 6 inches.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Solid Fence Definition: A shadowbox fence is treated as a solid fence. A chain link fence with slats is not treated as a solid fence.
• Finished Side Orientation: When only one side of a fence is finished, the finished side must face away from the lot on which the fence is located. Fences on property lines dividing single-family residential lots are exempt from that rule.
• Barbed Wire and Similar Materials: Barbed wire, razor wire, spiked posts, and similar materials are only permitted on utility lots and in the R-A, C-3, C-4, I-MU, I-1, and I-2 districts. The code does not authorize them as standard materials for a typical single-family residential fence.
• Electrified Fences: Electrified fences are not allowed on property zoned exclusively residential. The only exception is a battery-charged fence on property that is not zoned exclusively residential and that meets the state-law conditions stated in the code.
• General Material Palette: The code does not specify a general residential material palette beyond these stated limits, definitions, and prohibitions.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants, subdivision restrictions, and homeowners association rules operate independently of City of Shreveport regulations and may be more restrictive than city standards.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: All fences, including repairs to existing fences, require a building permit.
• Historic Overlay Review: Within a designated Historic Preservation Overlay District, required historic approval must be obtained before a building permit or other regulated permit is issued.
• Visibility Review: Closed fences, walls, and plantings within the sight triangle are subject to the code’s height and visibility limits.
• Boundary Placement: Fence posts, bases, and other structural parts must remain entirely within the lot boundaries.
• Maintenance Standards: Fences and walls must be kept in good repair and safe condition, and damaged or missing elements must be repaired, removed, or replaced.
• Property Standards Complaints: Property Standards identifies unsound fences as nuisance / care-of-premise issues.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of Shreveport, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of March 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Louisiana laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in Louisiana.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with The City’s Permits Center and Shreveport/Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of Shreveport staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.