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Tulsa, OK Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

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

Summary

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.

Min. Building Setbacks (ft.) Street [3] ... Other streets 35 35 30 25 20 20 25 10 10 10 10 10 25 Side (interior) [4] 15 5 5 5 5 5 5 5[5] 5[6] 5[6] 5[6] 5[7] 10 Rear [4] 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 15

Source: Tulsa Zoning Code — Chapter 45 (Accessory Uses)View official code

Full Breakdown

Table 5-3 in the Tulsa Zoning Code fixes minimum building setbacks for every R district, measured from the property line. The largest-lot RE district requires 35 feet from the street, 15 feet on interior side yards and 25 feet at the rear; setbacks shrink through RS-1 to RS-5 and further in the RD, RT and RM multifamily districts, where street setbacks drop to as little as 10 feet and interior side setbacks to 5 feet. Corner lots get a break: the side-street setback can shrink to 15 feet if the garage door still sits back 20 feet from the sidewalk.

Violations & Fines

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum street setback in Tulsa's residential zones?
Table 5-3 sets the minimum street setback per zone: 35 feet in RE and RS-1, stepping down to 10 feet in RT and the RM multifamily districts.
How far must a house sit from the side property line in Tulsa?
Most R districts require just 5 feet on interior side yards; RE requires 15 feet and RMH requires 10 feet, per Table 5-3 of the Tulsa Zoning Code.
Can a corner lot get a smaller side-street setback in Tulsa?
Yes. Table 5-3 note 3 lets the side-street setback shrink to 15 feet on corner lots for detached houses and duplexes, provided the garage sits back at least 20 feet from the sidewalk.

Sources & Official References

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