Oklahoma City, OK Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner-occupancy to build/live
- Not required
- Owner-occupancy for STR use
- Required (host's primary residence)
- STR approval needed
- Board of Adjustment special exception
- Governing section
- § 59-9350.2.1(G)(2)
- Max ADUs per parcel
- One
Summary
Building or living in an accessory dwelling in Oklahoma City carries no owner-occupancy mandate, but renting it out short-term does require the owner to live in the main house.
Accessory Dwellings shall only be used for Home Sharing/Short Term Rental as defined in Chapter 13 Section 13-500 Definitions and according to 59-9350 Standard for specific uses if the Accessory Dwelling is located on the same parcel as the host's primary residence and the host's primary residence is occupied by the host at the time of the rental. A special exception for home sharing/short term rental must be obtained as described in 59-9350.38.1.E.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Oklahoma City's zoning code lets a property owner build one accessory dwelling per parcel without ever living on site. Section 59-9350.2.1 sets standards for size, height, setbacks and parking but imposes no residency test on the owner. The owner-occupancy trigger only appears if the accessory dwelling is used for a home sharing/short-term rental: that use is allowed only when the accessory dwelling sits on the same parcel as the host's primary residence and that primary residence is occupied by the host at the time of the rental, per Section 59-9350.2.1(G)(2). A Board of Adjustment special exception is also required for the short-term rental use itself.
Violations & Fines
Renting an accessory dwelling short-term without the required owner-occupied primary residence, or without the Board of Adjustment special exception under § 59-9350.38.1, is an unpermitted use subject to City zoning enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live on the property to build an ADU in Oklahoma City?
Can I rent my Oklahoma City accessory dwelling out on Airbnb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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