Tulsa, OK Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)
ADU rules in Tulsa, OK, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Key Facts
- By-right districts
- All except RE, RS, AG, AG-R
- Special exception needed
- RE, RS, AG, AG-R districts
- Max ADUs per lot
- One
- Setback from main house
- At least 10 feet behind
- Size bonus for ADU building
- +500 sq ft above normal cap
Summary
Tulsa allows ADUs like garage apartments and carriage houses, but RE, RS, AG, and AG-R lots need Board of Adjustment special exception approval first; other zoning districts allow them by right, capped at one per lot.
A dwelling unit that is located in an accessory building on the same lot as a household living use to which it is accessory and subordinate. Examples of ADUs include carriage houses, garage apartments, and mother-in-law flats.
B.Purpose.1.The purpose of allowing accessory dwelling units is to:a.Accommodate new housing units while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods;b.Allow efficient use of the city's existing housing stock and infrastructure;c.Provide housing options and choices that respond to varying income levels, changing household sizes and lifestyle needs; andd.Provide a means for residents—particularly seniors, single parents, and empty-nesters—to remain in their homes and neighborhoods, and obtain extra income, security, companionship and assistance.2.The ADU supplemental regulations are also intended to help ensure that that new buildings and modifications to existing buildings are designed with sensitivity to their context in terms of building placement, proportions, building materials, and similar design features.C.Applicability. These regulations apply to all accessory dwelling units, as defined by Subsection 45.031A.D.Regulations.1.Where allowed. Accessory dwelling units are allowed by special exception in RE, RS, AG, and AG-R districts. Accessory dwelling units are allowed by right in all other districts when accessory to a household living use.2.Number. No more than one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot.
Full Breakdown
The Tulsa Zoning Code defines an ADU as a dwelling unit in an accessory building on the same lot as, and subordinate to, a household living use: carriage houses, garage apartments, and mother-in-law flats all qualify. In RE, RS, AG, and AG-R districts (Tulsa's standard single-family and agricultural zones), an ADU requires special exception approval from the Board of Adjustment; every other zoning district allows one by right. Only one ADU is allowed per lot. The accessory building housing it gets a 500-square-foot bump above the normal accessory-building size cap, but the ADU itself must sit at least 10 feet behind the principal house, with that gap open to the sky except for low walkways, patios, or decks under 30 inches tall. Its exterior finish and roof pitch must match the principal building.
Violations & Fines
Building or occupying an ADU without the required special exception (in RE/RS/AG/AG-R) or without a zoning clearance and certificate of occupancy is a zoning code violation, enforced through the city's code enforcement and nuisance abatement process; the structure or use can be ordered brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a garage apartment in a Tulsa RS district?
How many accessory dwelling units can I build on my Tulsa lot?
How close can a Tulsa ADU be to the main house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulsa
How Tulsa compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Tulsa to another location·View the Oklahoma accessory structures overview
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ADU Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle adu rules.