Shreveport, Louisiana Drone Laws

Overview

Shreveport is located in Louisiana. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Louisiana has a state preemption statute under La. R.S. § 33:1373 that limits local government authority to regulate drones, establishing that the state retains primary jurisdiction over UAS operations. La. R.S. § 14:63 (criminal trespass) applies to drone operations over private property without authorization. La. R.S. § 14:283 (video voyeurism) may apply to drone-based recording of individuals in private settings without consent. Louisiana does not have a comprehensive standalone drone privacy statute, but prosecutors have applied existing criminal codes to UAS misuse. The proximity of Barksdale Air Force Base creates Prohibited Area P-66, a permanent no-fly zone that is strictly enforced by federal authorities.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• La. R.S. § 33:1373: State preemption — local governments cannot enact ordinances more restrictive than state or federal UAS regulations without specific authority
• La. R.S. § 14:63: Criminal trespass applies to drone flights over private property without owner consent
• La. R.S. § 14:283: Video voyeurism statute may apply to drone-based recording of individuals in private situations
• FAA Prohibited Area P-66 (Barksdale AFB): Absolute no-fly zone — violations are federal criminal offenses
• KSHV Class C airspace requires LAANC authorization for all UAS operations within 5 nautical miles
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS over 0.55 lbs
• Barksdale AFB active flight operations — no UAS within prohibited and restricted airspace boundaries

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC authorization required for KSHV Class C airspace and vicinity of Barksdale AFB airspace — use FAA DroneZone. Prohibited Area P-66 (Barksdale AFB) cannot be authorized through LAANC; DoD authorization would be required and is virtually never granted to civilians. Shreveport city parks contact Parks and Recreation for individual site permits. Louisiana state parks require Louisiana State Parks approval for drone operations.

Official Statute Links

• https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-14/rs-14-63/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-14/rs-14-283/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-33/rs-33-1373/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/

Local Ordinances

Shreveport has adopted ordinances regulating drone use in city parks and public spaces. The city's primary airspace concerns are the proximity of Shreveport Regional Airport (KSHV), the downtown Shreveport Airport (KDTN), and critically, Barksdale Air Force Base (KBAD) just across the Red River in Bossier City. Barksdale's Prohibited Area P-66 creates an absolute no-fly zone that is actively monitored. The Red River waterfront entertainment district sees significant pedestrian activity making low-altitude flights potentially hazardous.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Shreveport city parks: Drone operations require advance permit from Shreveport Parks and Recreation
• KSHV Class C airspace: LAANC or ATC authorization required for all UAS operations
• KDTN (Shreveport Downtown Airport) Class D: Authorization required within 4.4 nm of airport
• P-66 (Barksdale AFB): Absolute prohibited airspace — no civilian drone operations; federal criminal penalties
• Red River waterfront and boardwalk: City-managed area; avoid flights over crowds and events
• Caddo Lake State Park / Cross Lake area: Louisiana state park permit required for drone operations
• Downtown casino district: High-density area near KDTN approach paths; avoid operations near gaming facilities
• Louisiana Boardwalk (Bossier City side): Proximity to Barksdale AFB prohibited airspace — extreme caution required

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Shreveport Parks and Recreation, (318) 673-7727, shreveportla.gov/parks

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Rural Caddo Parish farmland northwest of Shreveport — open terrain outside controlled airspace; always verify LAANC grid
• South Shreveport rural areas along Highway 1 South — low-density with agricultural land
• DeSoto Parish rural areas southwest of city — outside Class C, minimal air traffic
• Private rural property in Bossier Parish south of Barksdale — verify no overlap with restricted airspace before flying
• Red River Parish rural areas southeast — check LAANC for any airspace advisories
• Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park — contact Caddo Parish Parks for authorization

Areas to Avoid

• Barksdale Air Force Base / P-66 Prohibited Area — absolute no-fly zone; federal enforcement by USAF Security Forces
• KSHV Class C airspace — covers most of western Shreveport; LAANC required
• KDTN Class D airspace — downtown airport; authorization required within 4.4 nm
• Red River waterfront entertainment area — crowds, low-altitude obstacles, proximity to KDTN
• Barksdale/Bossier City environs across the Red River — monitor prohibited airspace boundaries carefully
• Cross Lake area — proximity to KSHV approach paths; check LAANC
• All Shreveport and Caddo Parish city parks — permit required before flying
• Louisiana Downs horse racing facility — private property; crowds during race days

Weather Considerations

Shreveport has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring is the most active severe weather season — tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are a real risk March through May. The Red River valley creates channeling effects that can intensify winds. Hurricane remnants occasionally bring heavy rain and gusty winds in late summer. Summers are oppressively hot and humid with heat indices above 105°F making outdoor operations uncomfortable. Check NWS Shreveport (weather.gov/shv) for local forecasts.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October–November and February–March (mild temperatures, lower humidity, stable air before spring storm season). AVOID: June–August (extreme heat and humidity, afternoon thunderstorms), March–May tornado season especially in afternoon hours. Winter is generally mild but occasional ice storms affect northwest Louisiana. Barksdale AFB conducts B-52 operations that generate significant noise and wash — be aware of military flight patterns.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Louisiana state regulations
• ✓ Shreveport local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety