Below please find common questions on our street and side walk vendors, street performers. and our downtown pole banners.
POLE BANNERS
Streetscape pole banners are overseen by the Downtown Development Authority as a visual enhancement for the Downtown Development District. There are approximately 350 streetlight poles in the DDD that are appropriate for banners. These locations are available to non-profits and governmental entities on a first-come, first-served basis.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. WHAT ARE THE BANNER MEASUREMENTS?
Click to view measurement information
2. WHO PAYS FOR THE BANNERS?
You or your organization.
3. HOW MANY BANNERS DO WE HAVE TO GET?
There are approximately 350 banner poles downtown, but you don’t have to get that many! If your event is on Texas Street, you may want to hang only along that area. If you will give us details and location of your event, we will make a suggestion to you about the number of banners and locations to ensure maximum exposure for your event.
4. WHO OWNS THE BANNERS AFTERWARD?
You do. Once the banners are taken down, you can store them for the next year. We would encourage that you not put dates on your banners so that they can be used for multiple years.
5. WHO PAYS TO PUT THEM UP?
The DDA will bill you an hourly rate based on the number of banners hung and taken down. The fee is $15 per hour per employee. If your banners have to be removed for a short time for another event, you will NOT be charged for the re-hanging.
6. WHO MAKES THE BANNERS?
We have several local companies who have done good work in the past and we would urge you to check with them, but ultimately you can use anyone you would like. The specifications that the company will need are included in this email. No matter which vendor you use, we recommend that you have one banner produced as a prototype to be sure it fits the banner arm and has the grommets correctly positioned before proceeding with the full order.
7. WHO CAN REQUEST BANNERS?
Non-profits and governmental entities in the Downtown Development District to promote events, projects, exhibitions and shows, special conventions and meetings, pageants and the like.
8. WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE BANNERS?
Overt business advertising, political messages, electioneering, or anything that does not have a “G” rating (appropriate for all ages) overall.
9. HOW LONG WILL MY BANNERS STAY UP?
If you are promoting a special event, we will work with you to get your banners up at least several weeks in advance of your event and will take the banners down after the event has concluded. If your event is ongoing throughout a several month period, we will work to keep your banners up as long as possible, but may have to remove them and replace them to make way for others who have requested space. You will not be charged for any banner removal and re-hanging.
10. DOES THE DDA NEED TO SEE MY BANNER DESIGN?
In some cases in which we believe advertising will be present, we will ask to see the banner design prior to your banner run.
11. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
Drive around and look at the banners that are up and see which ones stand out and are the most legible. Remember that color attracts attention and that most people will give the banner a 2-second look, so your design needs to be clear, uncluttered and large.
STREET / SIDEWALK VENDORS
Street/Sidewalk Vendors are allowed in downtown Shreveport provided they meet certain criteria established by City of Shreveport Ordinance.
The application process is governed by the Sidewalk Vendor Committee that has established guidelines to ensure continuity, public safety, and cleanliness.
Applicants must complete the application and meet all requirements/specifications stated in the application. For questions regarding required documentation and location selection, contact the DDA office at (318) 222-7403.
Food Truck permits are not handled by this office. Per city ordinance, a food truck vendor’s license is issued by the City’s Director of Finance. You may contact the City of Shreveport Revenue Division at 318-673-5585 for additional information.
STREET VENDOR DOCUMENTATION
Full Applications
- Complete Application Packet (word doc)
- Complete Application Packet (pdf)
Single Sections:
- Application (word doc)
- Guidelines (word doc)
- Cart Illustrations (jpg)
- Hold Harmless Agreement (word doc)
- Application Checklist (word doc)
QUICK SUMMARY OF CITY ORDINANCE NO. 155 OF 1998
Ordinance No. 155 of 1998 Amends Article IX of Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport relative to Peddlers, Solicitors, Itinerant Vendors and Sidewalk Vendors. Sidewalk Vendor means any person, firm or corporation, including its agents and employees, which engages in the
business in the city of selling or offering for sale any goods
or merchandise or exhibiting the same for sale or for the
purpose of taking orders for the sale thereof on the sidewalks
of the city. It shall also include persons engaging in performing
arts on the sidewalks of the city in return for money where
staging or electrical amplification is used. It shall not include
the placing and maintenance of unattended stands or sales
devices for the sale, display or offering for sale of newspapers,
magazines, periodicals, and paperbound books.
THE INTENT OF THE COUNCIL IN ENACTING THIS ORDINANCE
(1) To serve and protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public;
(2) To establish a uniform set of rules and regulations
that are fair and equitable;
(3) To develop a vending system that will enhance the
overall appearance and environment along public
streets and pedestrian ways in the B-4 district;
(4) To provide economic development opportunities to
small entrepreneurs in the City; and
(5) To promote stable vendors who will enrich the City’s
ambiance and be assets to public security.
SCHEDULE AND LICENSE FEES
(1) 30 days — $20
(2) 60 days — $40
(3) 90 days — $60
(4) 180 days– $75
(5) One Year- $100
STREET PERFORMERS
The Street Performer Ordinance allows street performers to entertain pedestrians in specified locations in the Downtown Development District for non-solicited tips. Passing the hat or asking for money is not allowed. The performer will be allowed to have a box or musical case open to show that donations will be accepted, but those funds cannot be solicited.
• A Performance Permit will be required. The Permit is $30 and will be renewed and reviewed annually. Each member of the group will have his/her own permit.
• Performances may take place between 10am-10pm daily.
• Performers may perform at any of the approved locations on a first come first served basis, and may move from one location to another within the approved areas. Performers shall stay at least 50 feet from other performers, with the first performer at a location each day taking precedence on that day. Performers shall stay at least 50 feet away from any festival or outdoor event sanctioned by the City in Festival Plaza, Shreveport Common or any other downtown venue.
• Performances will be acoustic only ( no speakers or boom-boxes).
• Performers cannot block sidewalks or pedestrian passage.
• Mind your noise level. Performances should be thoughtful to those office workers and businesses nearby. Allowable noise levels are established by Article II, Division I of Chapter 58 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances.
Performance Permits are issued for the Downtown Development District by the Downtown Development Authority. Further information is available at 318-222-7403 or at www.downtownshreveport.com.
Download the application HERE.
