Environmental Rules in Tulsa, OK (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Tulsa, Oklahoma, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Tulsa enforces comprehensive stormwater management under Title 11-A (Stormwater Management and Hazard Mitigation Program) of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances. The city operates under an MS4 NPDES permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). Tulsa's stormwater program is nationally recognized due to the city's history of severe flooding events.
Tulsa Stormwater Management Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOkla. Stat. tit. 27A, § 2-6-202 (Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act - Definitions)
aws 2007, c. 146, § 5, eff. July 1, 2007. §27A-2-6-202. Definitions. For purposes of the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act: 1. "Discharge" includes but is not limited to a discharge of a pollutant or pollutants, and means any addition of any pollutant to waters of the state from any point source regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality; ...
Erosion Control
Tulsa bars construction that leaves bare earth exposed to rain and requires sedimentation facilities to be installed and maintained on-site for the full build period, under watershed development standards the Public Works Director enforces citywide.
Tulsa Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsTulsa Revised Ordinances, Title 11-A, § 304.D
D. Erosion and sediment control policies and standards. 1. Policies. a. All developments shall be designed, constructed and completed in a manner which minimizes the exposure of bare earth to precipitation. b. Development shall be constructed only if appropriate sedimentation facilities are installed and maintained throughout the construction period.
Flood Zones
Building, grading, or filling in Tulsa's mapped floodway or regulatory flood plain requires a Watershed Development Permit from Public Works, and new residential structures must be elevated at least one foot above the regulatory flood elevation.
Tulsa Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsTulsa Revised Ordinances, Title 11-A, Ch. 3, § 302.B.1-2
1. Floodway Watershed Development Permit (FW). A Floodway Watershed Development Permit shall be obtained prior to any development or earth change where the same is located in the floodway. 2. Flood Plain Watershed Development Permit (FP). A Flood Plain Watershed Development Permit shall be obtained prior to any development or earth change where the same is located in the regulatory flood plain.
Boat Dock Permits
Tulsa caps private boathouses on its Spavinaw Reservoir Area to those already permitted, charges annual rental, and can revoke the whole program with 60 days' notice.
Tulsa Boat Dock Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsTulsa Revised Ordinances, Title 11-C, Ch. 4, § 413(B)
Only privately owned boathouses, which are physically in existence and located on the Spavinaw Reservoir Area, pursuant to a valid permit, held by the original permitees or their assigns, as of July 5, 1983, are authorized to be located thereon. The owner of each such privately owned boathouse shall pay to the City of Tulsa, as rental, a fee of Twenty-Four Dollars ($24.00) per year, per stall, ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Tulsa requires new and substantially improved buildings in flood hazard areas to sit at least one foot above the regulatory flood elevation.
Tulsa 1-Foot Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsTulsa Revised Ordinances, Title 51, § 1612.2 (Amendatory)
The design and construction of buildings and structures located in flood hazard areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 5 of ASCE 7 and ASCE 24 and Title 11 A, Tulsa Revised Ordinance, Chapter 3. The lowest finished floor elevation together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities shall be at least one (1) foot above the regulatory flood elevation.