Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Shreveport, LA?
Shreveport is one of the more straightforward cities when it comes to fence permitting: the city's official permit requirements page explicitly lists "residential/commercial fence" as a required permit category, with a site plan required. There are no height or size thresholds that exempt smaller fences — if you're building a fence in Shreveport, you're getting a permit. The permit process through My Government Online is fast for simple projects, and the Downtown Development District's fee waiver program makes fence permits free for renovations of pre-1960 historic properties.
Shreveport fence permit rules — the basics
All fence permit applications in Shreveport go through My Government Online at mygovernmentonline.org, where you can submit your application, site plan, pay fees, and request inspections. The Division of Permits and Inspections is at 505 Travis Street, Suite 130, Government Plaza, with a phone number of 318-673-6100. Simple permit applications — and a fence permit with a complete site plan typically qualifies as a simple project — can be reviewed and approved in one to two business days. The site plan required for a fence permit must show the property lines, existing structures, and the proposed fence location on the lot, clearly indicating distances from property lines and any existing easements.
Fence regulations in Shreveport are set by the Unified Development Code (UDC), administered by the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) at 505 Travis Street, Suite 440 (318-673-6480). Under the UDC, fences are explicitly distinguished from accessory structures and are "subject to different regulations" — specifically, the regulations of UDC Article 7.3 on On-Site Development Standards. The UDC creates separate height and placement rules for fences depending on where on the lot they're located: front yards (including corner side yards and reverse corner side yards) face more restrictive height limits than rear and interior side yards, where privacy fencing is the norm.
In most Shreveport residential zones, the UDC allows solid fences up to approximately 4 feet in height in the front yard area, and up to 6 feet in height in rear and interior side yards (behind the front building line). Front yard fence height limits protect sightlines and neighborhood character in residential areas. Rear yard privacy fences up to 6 feet are the standard throughout the city's residential neighborhoods — the 6-foot privacy fence is common in Shreveport's older residential areas like South Highlands, Broadmoor, and Provencal, where lots frequently abut each other without natural screening. For fences exceeding these standard heights, or for situations involving corner lots where the side yard faces a street, consulting with the MPC planners at 318-673-6480 before permit submittal helps avoid surprises during plan review.
Fence materials in Shreveport residential zones are governed by the UDC's aesthetic and safety standards. Wood, vinyl, metal, and masonry fences are all common in the city. Chain-link fences are generally permitted in residential zones but may face restrictions in certain overlay districts or historically sensitive areas. Barbed wire and electrified fences are prohibited in residential zones. The UDC also addresses corner lot sight triangle requirements — no fence, hedge, or other visual obstruction can be placed within the triangular area formed by any two street lines and a line joining them at points 25 feet from the intersection, to protect pedestrian and vehicle sightlines. This is a meaningful constraint at Shreveport's many older residential intersections.
Three Shreveport fence permit scenarios that play out differently
| Variable | How it affects your Shreveport fence permit |
|---|---|
| Rear yard or interior side yard (behind front building line) | Standard privacy fence up to 6 feet is permitted in most residential zones. Permit required. Site plan required. Final inspection confirms location and height. Check recorded plat for utility easements — typically 5-foot side yard and 10-foot rear yard easements in many Shreveport subdivisions. |
| Front yard (in front of or at the front building line) | More restrictive height limits apply — typically up to approximately 4 feet for solid fences. Permits required. UDC sight triangle requirements apply at intersections: no fence within the triangular area formed by two street lines connected 25 feet back from the intersection corner. |
| Corner lot (side yard facing a public street) | Corner side yards facing a street are treated like front yards for fence height purposes. Confirm allowable height and setback with MPC planners at 318-673-6480 before designing. Sight triangle requirements apply at both street corners. May require fence setback from the property line for heights above front yard maximum. |
| FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area | Fences in flood zones may require additional civil review from the City Engineer at 318-673-6000. Solid fences can impede flood water flow and may affect flood zone elevation determinations. Permeable (open) fencing is generally preferred in flood-prone areas. Check your property's flood zone status before fence design is finalized. |
| Downtown Development District, pre-1960 building | Permit fees waived for properties in the DDD with buildings constructed before 1960. Standard permits, plan review, and inspections still required. Historic overlay review may apply additionally — confirm with MPC at 318-673-6480. DDD waiver applies to all renovation-related fencing. |
| Pool enclosure fence | Louisiana law and the 2021 IRC require pool enclosures — fences or barriers — around in-ground pools of sufficient size. Pool fence must be at least 48 inches in height, have self-closing and self-latching gates opening away from the pool, and meet other barrier requirements to prevent unsupervised child access. Both a building permit and a plumbing permit are required for swimming pool construction in Shreveport. |
Fence easements in Shreveport: why the recorded plat matters
One of the most common fence permit complications in Shreveport involves utility easements that homeowners discover only after their fence is being installed. Most Shreveport residential lots have recorded utility easements along the rear and side property lines — typically a 10-foot rear yard easement and a 5-foot interior side yard easement — that grant utility companies the right to access those areas for maintenance and installation. A fence built within a utility easement is technically placed at the homeowner's risk: if a utility company needs access to the easement, the homeowner may be required to remove and replace the fence at their own expense.
The permit process does not automatically prevent a homeowner from building a fence within an easement — the site plan review checks for UDC setback compliance, not easement conflicts. The homeowner is responsible for checking the recorded plat for their property before finalizing fence placement. The Caddo Parish Assessor's office maintains plat records, and the easement information should be noted on the property deed as well. Shreveport's cable, electric, gas, and water utilities all rely on rear and side yard easements — and in a city with aging infrastructure that undergoes regular maintenance and replacement, these easements are actively used.
Before installing a fence, call 811 (Louisiana's One Call system, also known as "Call Before You Dig") to have all underground utility lines marked. This is required by state law before any digging in Louisiana, and it protects both the homeowner and the utility infrastructure from damage. The 811 marking service is free and typically takes one to three business days before digging can begin safely. Given the number of buried utilities in Shreveport's established residential neighborhoods, the 811 call is a non-negotiable step before any fence post installation.
What fences cost in Shreveport
Northwest Louisiana's construction market produces fence installation costs below national averages. Standard 6-foot wood privacy fencing (pressure-treated pine or cedar) runs approximately $12–$22 per linear foot installed, with materials and labor. Chain-link fencing runs $10–$18 per linear foot for 4-foot height, $14–$22 for 6-foot height. Vinyl privacy fencing runs $22–$35 per linear foot. Wrought iron or aluminum ornamental fencing runs $30–$55 per linear foot. For a 150-linear-foot perimeter fence, total costs typically run $2,500–$5,000 for wood privacy, $3,000–$5,500 for chain-link at 6 feet, $4,500–$7,500 for vinyl, or $6,000–$12,000 for ornamental iron. Get multiple quotes from Shreveport-area fence contractors and verify that each quote includes permit costs and the site plan preparation fee.
Phone: (318) 673-6100 | Fax: (318) 673-6112
Online Permits: mygovernmentonline.org
Permits & Inspections Page: shreveportla.gov/473/Permits-Inspections
MPC (UDC / zoning questions): 505 Travis Street, Suite 440 | (318) 673-6480
MPC Website: shreveportcaddompc.com
Before Digging: Call 811 (Louisiana One Call — mark underground utilities)
Common questions about Shreveport fence permits
Do all fences in Shreveport require a permit?
Yes — Shreveport's official Permits and Inspections page explicitly lists "residential/commercial fence: site plan required" as a mandatory permit category, with no height or size exceptions. This applies to all fences on residential and commercial properties within Shreveport and Caddo Parish (except Greenwood, which issues its own permits). Applications go through mygovernmentonline.org. Simple fence permits can be reviewed and approved in one to two business days. Beginning fence installation without a permit results in the permit fee being doubled, plus potential code enforcement action.
How tall can a fence be in Shreveport?
Fence height limits in Shreveport are governed by the Unified Development Code (UDC) Article 7, On-Site Development Standards. In most residential zones, solid fences in rear yards and interior side yards (behind the front building line) may be up to 6 feet in height. Front yard fences — those in the front yard area or corner side yards facing a public street — face lower height limits, typically around 4 feet for solid construction. Exact limits vary by zoning district. For your specific address and zone, contact the Shreveport-Caddo MPC at 318-673-6480 to confirm the applicable fence height limit before designing your fence. For fences exceeding the standard limits, a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment may be required.
What is a site plan and what does it need to show for a fence permit in Shreveport?
A site plan is a scale drawing (or clearly dimensioned sketch) of your property showing property lines, existing structures (house, garage, shed), driveways, and the proposed fence location with dimensions and distances from property lines. It should also note any known utility easements on the property. The site plan does not need to be prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer for a standard residential fence permit — the homeowner or contractor can draw it, as long as it clearly shows the required information. The site plan is submitted with the permit application through mygovernmentonline.org. For complex lots, corner lots, or lots near flood zones, a more detailed site plan may be requested during plan review.
Can I build a fence in a utility easement in Shreveport?
Technically, you can build a fence within a utility easement, but you do so at your own risk. Utility companies with recorded easement rights can require you to remove the fence if they need access to the easement for maintenance or infrastructure work, and that removal and replacement is at your expense. Before installing any fence near or within a recorded utility easement, check your property's recorded plat at the Caddo Parish Assessor's office to identify the exact dimensions and location of all easements, and call 811 before digging any fence posts to have underground utilities marked. Most Shreveport lots have a 10-foot rear yard utility easement and a 5-foot side yard utility easement — building within these areas is common but carries the risk of mandatory future removal.
Are fence permits free in Shreveport's Downtown Development District?
Yes — the DDD fee waiver applies to all permit fees for rehabilitation, renovation, repairs, alterations, and additions to buildings constructed before 1960 within the Downtown Development District boundaries. Fence installation as part of a renovation project on a qualifying pre-1960 property qualifies for the waiver. The permit application, site plan, plan review, and final inspection are all still required — the fee is simply waived. Confirm DDD status for your specific property with the Division of Permits and Inspections at 318-673-6100 before submitting your application. Properties in locally designated historic districts within the DDD may also be subject to additional design review for fence material and style compatibility.
Does my fence need to be in a specific location relative to the property line?
In most Shreveport residential zones, rear yard and interior side yard fences may be placed directly on the property line. However, you must be certain the fence is on your property, not your neighbor's or in the public right-of-way. A property survey is the only way to definitively establish where the property line is — and on many Shreveport residential lots where original survey markers have been lost or moved, a licensed surveyor's plat or freshly placed survey stakes are the reliable guide. Corner lots have additional considerations: the fence must not be placed within the sight triangle at intersections (25 feet from the intersection corner along each street), and side yard fences facing a street may need to be set back from the property line depending on UDC requirements for that yard type and zone.
This page provides general guidance based on publicly available municipal sources as of April 2026. Permit rules change. For a personalized report based on your exact address and project details, use our permit research tool.