Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed that encode video, decode video, or both. These systems, methods, and devices generate and/or receive an enable syntax element in an encoded bitstream, wherein the enable syntax element indicates whether a loop filter is turned on or turned off for a group of video blocks. They also generate or receive one or more additional syntax elements identifying parameters for the loop filter for the group of video blocks in response to the enable syntax element indicating the loop filter is turned on for the group of video blocks. These systems, methods, and devices also perform the loop filter for the group of video blocks based on the received enable syntax element.