“Because of flooding” is only part of the answer. A raised frame on piers is also a traditional foundation system, and the visible height can reflect original construction, later work or both.
Written by Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts is a New Orleans real estate agent focused on shotgun homes and historic residential property.
The foundation system comes first
Louisiana guidance describes traditional shotguns as light wood-frame buildings commonly supported on simple brick, block or concrete piers. The piers carry loads at intervals while leaving open or screened space between them.
That separation keeps the principal wood floor frame away from direct ground contact and provides access to inspect or service under-floor framing and utilities. It does not eliminate moisture, drainage, pest or settlement problems; those remain inspection issues.
The anatomy glossary identifies a foundation pier in context.
Original raised construction is not the same as later elevation
A house may have been built with a modest crawlspace and later lifted to a substantially greater height. Later elevation is an engineered project involving the frame, foundation, stairs, utilities and site transitions; it should not be inferred from appearance alone.
| Condition | What it may indicate | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Low pier-supported frame | Traditional raised construction | Pier condition, drainage, clearances and records |
| Tall open foundation | Later elevation or original high setting | Permit, elevation documents and structural design |
| Enclosed lower area | Later enclosure or designed lower level | Permitted use, flood openings, materials and utilities |
| Uneven floor or leaning pier | Possible movement or deterioration | Qualified structural/foundation assessment |
How flood requirements fit the picture
NOLA Ready summarizes current high-level elevation requirements for new construction and substantial renovation, but the controlling elevation is a surveyed datum—not the number of visible steps. Flood zone, base flood elevation, grade, curb and project scope can all affect the analysis.
For an existing property, compare an elevation certificate when available, current flood-map information and the permitted project record. The flood-risk and elevation-certificate guide explains that sequence.
An elevated appearance is not a promise that the house or its lower enclosure complies with current requirements, and current requirements should not be retroactively assumed to describe original construction.
What buyers and owners should inspect
The city’s property-maintenance guidance requires foundations to remain sound and the space beneath a raised house to be kept free of conditions that undermine drainage or safety. Use the inspection checklist for a broader property review.
- —Pier material, cracking, lean, bearing and connection to the frame.
- —Sills, joists and beams for moisture, deterioration, pests and alterations.
- —Drainage, soil conditions, standing water and ventilation below the house.
- —Stairs, landings, utility extensions and enclosures associated with later elevation.
- —Permits, engineering records and elevation documentation.
Frequently asked questions about raised shotgun houses
Are all shotgun houses raised?
No. Pier-supported examples are characteristic in Louisiana, but foundation type and height vary by place, age, site and alteration.
Does a raised house mean it is above flood level?
No. Compliance depends on surveyed elevations, the applicable requirement and the project record—not visual height.
Why use piers instead of a slab?
Piers support a light frame at discrete points, separate it from grade and leave an accessible under-floor space.
Can an existing shotgun be elevated?
Potentially, through a property-specific engineered and permitted project with all required agency reviews.
Key takeaways
- 01Piers are a traditional structural system, not only a flood response.
- 02The under-floor space supports access but still needs moisture, drainage and pest review.
- 03Original raised construction and later whole-house elevation are different conditions.
- 04Only surveyed data and applicable rules establish flood elevation compliance.
References
- 01Louisiana Elevation Design Guidelines
Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
- 02History of Building Elevation in New Orleans
Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
- 03Rouselle House HABS documentation
Library of Congress
- 04Ready for Rain
NOLA Ready
- 05Structural Renovation Permit
City of New Orleans
- 06Property maintenance code guidance
City of New Orleans
My methodology
Open each item to see the scope, definitions and limits behind the article.
Research date+
State documentation and current municipal guidance were reviewed on August 31, 2026.
Analytical method+
The article separates foundation type, original height, later elevation and regulatory elevation rather than assigning one cause.
Scope+
Flood compliance and structural condition require a survey, current rules, records and qualified property-specific inspection.