# Sign Regulations in Shreveport, Louisiana

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Shreveport, Louisiana, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Shreveport, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/shreveport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/la/shreveport/codes/unified_development_code?nodeId=ART9SIRE)

## At a glance

Shreveport, Louisiana regulates 35 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Additional Sign for Historic Location (Permanent)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft (freestanding) tall and 6 sq ft, with a 5 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. Sec 9.6.C.3). Most commercial signs in Shreveport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 35 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-A, R-E, R-1-12, R-1-10, R-1-7, R-1-5, R-UC, R-HU, R-TH, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-MHS, R-MHP | 9 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| C-1, OR, NA, OS | 10 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| C-2, C-3, C-4, C-UC, C-UV, D-1-CBD, D-1-E, D-1-CMU, D-1-RMU, D-1-AC, D-1-HC, I-MU, I-1, I-2, IC | 15 | 40 ft (pole, except D-1-E = 40 ft) | 250 sq ft | — |
| Billboard Permitted Zones (C-2, C-3, C-4, I-1, I-2) | 3 | 60 ft (interstate highway); 45 ft (C-4, I-1, I-2 non-interstate) | 672 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Additional Sign for Historic Location (Permanent) | 4 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 5 ft from any lot line | One per street frontage | Freestanding (min 5 ft from any lot line) or wall sign | — | Sec 9.6.C.3 |
| Additional Sign for Multi-Tenant Building (Permanent) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | Freestanding: within 10 ft of entry and 5 ft from lot line | One per building entry | Freestanding sign: within 10 ft of building entry and 5 ft from lot line; or wall sign | — | Sec 9.6.C.4 |
| Additional Signs for Parking Lots and Structures | 4 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 5 ft from any lot line | No stated limit; at each circulation point | At each entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, and other circulation points | — | Sec 9.6.C.5 |
| Flag - Governmental | Height limit of district (freestanding) | — | — | Freestanding: min 10 ft from any lot line | No limit per lot | Freestanding (pole) or wall-mounted | — | Sec 9.6.C.7.b |
| Flag - Non-Governmental | 35 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | Freestanding: min 10 ft; wall-mounted: min 5 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per lot (freestanding), 1 per establishment (wall-mounted) | Non-residential uses in commercial, downtown, industrial districts; freestanding (pole) or wall-mounted | — | Sec 9.6.C.7.a |
| Government Sign | No limit | No limit | — | — | No limit | Any public, private, or government location | — | Sec 9.6.C.8 |
| Real Estate Activity Sign (Residential) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | Freestanding: within 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage | On property for sale, lease, or rent; freestanding, wall, or window | — | Sec 9.6.C.10 |
| Real Estate Activity Sign (Non-Residential) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding: within 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage | On property for sale, lease, or rent; freestanding, wall, or window | — | Sec 9.6.C.10 |

### C-1, OR, NA, OS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | One per establishment | Within 15 ft of business primary entrance | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.B |
| Attention-Getting Device | Freestanding: 10 ft | Freestanding: 24 sq ft; Wall: 32 or 64 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 5 ft from lot line | Freestanding: 1-2 per frontage; wall: 1 per façade | Freestanding (min 5 ft from lot line) or wall | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.C |
| Banner/Exhibition Banner | — | Banner: 32 sq ft; Exhibition: 300 sq ft | — | — | — | Banner: wall or pole. Exhibition: educational/government/cultural only. | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.E |
| Canopy Sign | — | See General Regulations | — | — | — | See General Regulations | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.F |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | One per lot | Part of wall or freestanding | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.G |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 8 ft | C-1, OR, NA, OS: 48 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage >= 50 ft | 5 ft from any lot line; not in ROW | — | Table 9-3; Sec 9.7.H |
| Scoreboard | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — | — | One per playing field | Outdoor recreation field | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.O |
| Wall Sign | — | 1 sq ft/linear ft or 40 sq ft, whichever is greater | — | — | — | Front/side façade | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.P |

### C-2, C-3, C-4, C-UC, C-UV, D-1-CBD, D-1-E, D-1-CMU, D-1-RMU, D-1-AC, D-1-HC, I-MU, I-1, I-2, IC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | One per establishment | Within 15 ft of business primary entrance | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.B |
| Attention-Getting Device | Freestanding: 10 ft | Freestanding: 24 sq ft; Wall: 32 or 64 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 5 ft from lot line | Freestanding: up to 2/multi-tenant per frontage; wall: 1 per façade | Freestanding (min 5 ft from lot line) or wall | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.C |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/C-3, C-4, D-1-E, D-1-HC, I-MU, I-1, I-2, IC: See table for pole sign) | 8 ft (monument); 6 ft (D-1-RMU, D-1-AC) | Monument: 64 sf (C-3,C-4,I-1,I-2,IC); 48 sf (C-2,C-UC,C-UV,D-1-HC,I-MU); 100 sf (D-1-E) | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage >= 50 ft | Monument: 5 ft from any lot line; not in ROW | — | Table 9-3; Sec 9.7.H |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole - C-3, C-4, D-1-E, D-1-HC, I-MU, I-1, I-2, IC, OR) | 40 ft (pole, except D-1-E = 40 ft) | Pole: 80 sf (C-3,C-4,D-1-HC,I-MU,I-1,I-2,IC,OR); 200 sf (D-1-E) | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage >= 50 ft, additional for >200 ft + access | As allowed by district, see Table 9-3 | — | Table 9-3; Sec 9.7.H |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument - D-1-RMU, D-1-AC) | 6 ft | 36 sf | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per street frontage >= 50 ft | Monument: 5 ft from any lot line | — | Table 9-3; Sec 9.7.H |
| Projecting Sign | — | 36 sq ft (C-1,D-1-CMU, D-1-RMU, D-1-AC, OR); 48 sq ft (C-2,C-3,C-4,C-UC,C-UV,D-1-CBD,D-1-E,D-1-HC,I-MU,I-1,I-2,IC) | — | — | One per street frontage | May project into ROW (min 2 ft from curb), min 7 ft 6 in vertical clearance, not above building height | — | Table 9-2; Table 9-4; Sec 9.7.L |
| Roof Sign | 20 ft above rooftop max | 3 sq ft/linear ft of façade | — | — | One per lot, corner lots may have two on mansard | On roof of building, may not project above building height | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.N |
| Scoreboard | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — | — | One per playing field | Outdoor recreational field | — | Table 9-2; Sec 9.7.O |

## Prohibited signs in Shreveport

- No sign may be erected in a location that violates the current building code, fire code, and other applicable codes.
- No sign may be erected within the height restrictions of the view obstruction triangle (Section 7.1.E).
- All freestanding signs must be placed at least 15 feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement if no curb exists.
- Only signs placed by or authorized by federal, state, or local government may be installed on public property; unauthorized signs on public property may be removed without notice.
- No sign may be erected on private property without the property owner's consent.
- No sign may be erected so as to obstruct access to ingress/egress, fire escapes, or standpipes.
- All signs must be constructed of permanent durable materials and permanently affixed, except as provided for temporary signs.
- No permanent sign may be constructed of plywood, particleboard, or paper.
- No sign may be hand-painted on a structure.
- Audio components are prohibited on any sign, except for menuboards (where limited).
- All signs must comply with current building code, electrical code, and other applicable codes.
- No sign illumination may cast glare or direct light upon roadways and surrounding properties or distract motor vehicle operators or pedestrians.
- Maximum allowable footcandle at the lot line for illuminated signs is one footcandle.
- No exposed bulbs are allowed on internally illuminated signs.
- All external sign illumination must concentrate on the sign face.
- No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials to increase glare.
- Flashing neon or LED lighting is prohibited.
- Neon or LED lighting to outline doors and windows is prohibited.
- All signs not expressly allowed by the Code are prohibited.
- Abandoned, balloon/air-infused, banners wrapped around permanent sign structures, cabinet box wall signs, flashing, animated, or moving signs (except clocks/barber poles), obsolete signs/structures, temporary off-premise signs, portable reader-board signs (except when specifically allowed for temporary signs), snipe signs, strobe/moving/fixed spotlights/floodlights, signs creating hazardous traffic situations or interfering with traffic signals, video display signs, and vehicle/trailer signs used primarily for static display are specifically prohibited.
- Vehicles and trailers may not be used primarily as static displays for advertising or as storage/shelter/distribution points for commercial products/services for the public.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated and may not advertise off-premises commercial activity.
- Temporary signs may not be erected within the public right-of-way.
- No wall sign may be painted on a structure.
- All portable reader-board signs are prohibited as of June 30, 2022.
- Stacked billboards are prohibited.
- No new static or electronic billboard may obscure, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with traffic signs or views.
- No new static or electronic billboard may be located on or project over a building.
- Billboards may not have audio speakers or any audio component.
- Flashing devices and revolving/rotating beacons on billboards are prohibited.
- No electronic billboard display may include animation, blinking lights, sound, or smoke/fumes.
- No electronic billboard display may resemble or simulate any traffic control or official sign.
- Billboards are prohibited within Historic Preservation Overlay Districts (HPODs) and within defined distances of certain scenic corridors.
- No new static or electronic billboard may be constructed on wood poles.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shreveport

- Painting, repainting, cleaning, changing permitted items of information, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, not involving structural changes or changes in electrical components, are exempt from permit.
- Changing the message of a changeable message sign or electronic message sign does not require a permit.
- Changing the copy or color on an existing permitted sign, or performing non-alteration repair and maintenance, does not require a permit.
- Logos and labels on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, or similar (part of equipment as manufactured/installed) are exempt.
- Signs on public transit stations, bike-sharing stations, or car-share facilities, when installed by sponsors, are exempt.
- Non-electronic, non-illuminated signs up to two square feet on gas station pumps are exempt (one per pump station).
- Government signs placed or authorized by a government agency are exempt (unlimited number, size, or configuration).
- Scoreboards as part of educational facility or public park/playground outdoor or indoor recreational fields are exempt from sign code.
- Flags of any nation, state, municipality, or officially designated as symbols, as well as certain non-governmental flags in specified districts, are allowed without permit.
- Classic signs designated per procedures (generally at least 25 years old or qualifying replica) are exempt from area, setback, height, lighting, movement, flashing, content, placement, and materials requirements.
- Existing ghost signs are exempt and deemed conforming; may be maintained and repainted, but no new info/images may be added.
- Maintenance of billboards such as replacement of nuts, bolts, nailing, riveting, welding, cleaning, painting, changing bulbs, changing message, or replacing minor parts (with same type materials and no alteration of structure) is exempt from permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for sign types specified in Section 9.7 and summarized in Table 9-1; see Article 16 for permit procedures.
- Changing the sign face of an existing sign requires a sign permit.
- Attention-getting devices for multi-tenant sites require coordination between property owners/tenants to display devices.
- A-frame sign permit applications must include a placement plan showing the general location of the sign.
- Public information/event signs require a comprehensive sign package with specific details included in the permit application (nature of event, sign copy, area, number, locations, installation and removal dates, and if relevant, property owner permission).
- Adding or substantially modifying billboards (e.g., adding lights, changing configuration, adding faces, increasing height) requires sign permit application and, for nonconforming signs, such activity may terminate their nonconformity status.
- Billboards may only be constructed/converted after required removal and documentation process, including demolition permits for existing billboards to be removed prior to issuance of new sign permit.
- Designated classic sign status must be applied for through the Metropolitan Planning Commission, with plan for sign maintenance/renovation/reconstruction, and a public hearing is required.
- Where sign landscape is required, the sign landscape must be shown on the site landscape plan.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Shreveport — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Shreveport+LA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-shreveport

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