Environmental Rules in Broken Arrow, OK

If you live in Broken Arrow or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Broken Arrow has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Erosion Control

Broken Arrow requires an earth change permit from the city manager before any excavating, grading, regrading, landfilling, berming, or diking within city limits in Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Key details: Permit covers: excavating, grading, filling, berming, diking. Issuing authority: City Manager. Permit lapses: 1 year with no progress. Max penalty: $100 fine, 30 days jail, per day. Exempt: <3-acre tracts, farming, <12in cut/fill.

Grading without a permit is a misdemeanor under § 13-25, punishable by up to a $100 fine or 30 days in jail per day of violation, plus permit suspension or revocation.

Stormwater Management

Broken Arrow requires a stormwater development permit before platting, site plan approval, or altering the public stormwater drainage system.

Key details: Permit required for: platting, site plans, drainage alterations. Design standard: Engineering Design Criteria Manual. Designer required: Oklahoma-registered engineer. Waiver authority: city manager or designee.

Developing, platting, or altering the public stormwater system in Broken Arrow without a stormwater development permit violates § 25-208 and can hold up plat release or building permits.

Flood Zones

Broken Arrow requires a floodplain development permit before any construction begins in the city's mapped regulatory flood area.

Key details: Permit required by: § 25-307, before construction. Applies in: regulatory flood area (§ 25-304). New habitable structures: barred in floodway. Issuing official: floodplain administrator.

Building or developing in Broken Arrow's regulatory flood area without a floodplain development permit violates Chapter 25 and can trigger permit denial, stop-work action, and enforcement under the floodplain provisions.

This is one of the stricter rules in Broken Arrow's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Broken Arrow requires new or substantially improved homes near the flood area to sit at least 28 inches above the regulatory flood elevation.

Key details: Residential freeboard: 28 inches above BFE. Nonresidential standard: BFE plus 1 foot, or floodproofed. Certification required from: licensed PE, architect, or surveyor. Governing chapter: §§ 25-310 through 25-312.

Building a home in Broken Arrow's flood area below the required 28-inch freeboard, or without engineer certification, violates § 25-311 and can block permit issuance or final approval.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Broken Arrow actively enforces its flood elevation requirements requirements.

The Bottom Line

Broken Arrow is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Broken Arrow, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Broken Arrow can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.