Tulsa's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Lot Coverage Limits

Tulsa sets no blanket lot-coverage percentage for houses: bulk is controlled through setbacks and minimum open space instead. But detached accessory buildings built in the required rear setback are capped at 30% to 40% of that setback area, depending on the residential zoning district.

Key details: RE/RS-1 cap: 30% of rear setback. RS-2 cap: 35% of rear setback. RS-3 through RM cap: 40% of rear setback. Whole-lot coverage cap: None: governed by setbacks. Interior lot line setback: 3 feet minimum required.

An accessory building that exceeds its district's rear-setback coverage cap won't clear zoning review for a building permit; the City can issue a stop-work order or require the structure be reduced or removed.

Setback Rules

Tulsa's Zoning Code sets minimum yard setbacks by residential zoning district in Table 5-3: street setbacks run from 10 feet in RT and RM districts to 35 feet in RE and RS-1, with 5-foot interior side yards in most zones.

Key details: RE district street setback: 35 feet from street. RS-3 street setback: 25 feet (other streets). Interior side setback (most R zones): 5 feet. RM-2 rear setback: 10 feet. Corner lot side-street reduction: 15 feet with 20-ft garage setback.

Tulsa Development Services enforces the setback tables under the zoning code's compliance-required provision; a building permit is denied, or a stop-work order and citation issued, for construction that encroaches into a required setback.

Structure Height Limits

Tulsa's Zoning Code caps building height at 35 feet in every residential district except RM-3, from the RE estate district through RS-1 through RS-5, RD, RT, RM-0, RM-1, RM-2 and RMH multifamily zones.

Key details: Residential max height: 35 feet, RE through RMH districts. No listed cap: RM-3 multifamily district. How it's measured: Average grade to highest roof point. Equipment exception: Chimneys, towers may add 20 feet. Violation penalty: Up to $1,200 fine or 6 months jail.

Exceeding the height limit is a zoning code violation: the city can issue stop-work orders, withhold or revoke permits, and pursue a misdemeanor fine up to $1,200 or six months in jail.

The Bottom Line

Tulsa's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Tulsa is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Tulsa's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.