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Tulsa, OK Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing rule
Building Code § 110.6
Enforced by
City of Tulsa code official
Penalty basis
Civil fine under Title 49
Fine frequency
Per occurrence, per day
Appeal body
Board of Appeals

Summary

Tulsa requires a passed inspection at each construction stage before work can proceed, and covering or occupying uninspected work is a code violation subject to civil fines.

No work shall be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the code official. Upon notification, the code official shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder where it fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered, concealed or occupied until authorized by the code official. Work that is covered or concealed, or occupied without approval of the code official shall be in violation of this code and shall be penalized by the imposition of a civil fine as provided in Title 49, Tulsa Revised Ordinances, Chapter 1, for each occurrence and may result in a hearing before the Board of Appeals. Each day, or portion thereof, during which a violation is committed, continued or permitted shall be deemed a separate offense. The assessment or payment of this penalty shall not relieve any person from fully complying with all requirements of this code nor shall such payment exempt the person from further penalty provided by law.

Full Breakdown

Under Section 110.6 of the Tulsa Building Code, no construction may proceed past a stage requiring inspection until the code official has approved it. The inspector either signs off on the completed portion or notifies the permit holder of what fails to comply, and any non-complying work must be corrected before it can be covered, concealed, or occupied. Concealing or occupying work without approval is itself a code violation, punishable by a civil fine under Title 49 for each occurrence and each day the violation continues, and can trigger a hearing before the Board of Appeals.

Violations & Fines

Covering, concealing, or occupying uninspected or non-approved work is a civil-fine violation under Title 49, assessed per occurrence and per day, and may trigger a Board of Appeals hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cover up work before the inspector signs off?
No. Tulsa's Building Code § 110.6 bars covering, concealing, or occupying any work until the code official approves that construction stage; doing so early is a violation subject to civil fines.
What happens if I skip an inspection and get caught?
The code official can require you to uncover the concealed work, and you face a civil fine under Title 49 for each day the violation continues, plus a possible Board of Appeals hearing.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tulsa

All Tulsa rules

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