A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is the final construction document issued by the Zoning Administrator that authorizes occupancy of a structure. It is unlawful to operate a business without a Certificate of Occupancy.

A Certificate of Occupancy is not needed for new residential construction. Contact the Permit Office at (318) 673-6100 for information regarding new residential construction.

*For Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, please contact the Zoning Office at (318) 673-6442. For residential Certificates of Occupancy please visit the Home-Based Business page.*

APPLICATION INFORMATION

For Online Applications:

  1. Verify that your business proposal is permitted.
    • Call the Zoning Office at (318) 673-6442 to verify that you are able to operate your proposed business on your property.
  2. Logon to MyGovernmentOnline.
    • We use a third party application called MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) for our online applications. If you have not used MGO before, please follow the Customer Portal Guide to set up an account.
    • Once an account has been created follow the "Apply Online" link at the end of the instructions to start your application .For assistance in applying online, please follow the step by step Online Application Submittal Guide.
    • When selecting an Application Type, choose "Certificate of Occupancy - Commercial"

    • Once submitted you will receive a confirmation message and application number (i.e. APP-MPC-####). The Shreveport MPC will receive your application and review the application. You will be contacted for additional information or to progress to the next step.

  3. Submit Payment.
    • Once you have received your invoice, you may submit payment online at MyGovernmentOnline.com or in person on the first floor of Government Plaza at the cashier window. For assistance with making an online payment, please use the Online Payment Guide.
  4. Undergo Inspections.
    • Once your application has been submitted inspectors will be sent to inspect your property. Please see the list below of each inspector that will be sent to your site:
      •  Inspector  Department
         Fire Inspector  Fire Prevention
         Building Inspector  Permits & Inspections
         Plumbing Inspector  Permits & Inspections
         Electrical Inspector  Permits & Inspections
         HVAC Inspector  Permits & Inspections
         Zoning Inspector  Metropolitan Planning Commission
         Engineer Inspector (if new construction)  City Engineering Department
         Water & Sewerage Inspector (if new construction)  Water & Sewerage
         Health Inspector (if it involves food and/or alcohol)  Caddo Parish Health Unit
  5. Receive your Certificate of Occupancy.
    • Once the inspection has been completed, you will receive a copy of your Certificate of Occupancy. You may now occupy your business.