Top 10 Most Common Code Violations
Yard/Lot Maintenance Standards
Yard/Lot Maintenance standards are the responsibility of every
property owner/resident and include the maintenance of plant
material in any right-of-way abutting the property. Grass type
ground cover cannot be over 12 inches in height, except healthy
trees, shrubs, or produce for human consumption grown in a tended
and cultivated garden. Weeds, poison ivy, poison oak, or poison
sumac must be removed. Vegetation and trees must be trimmed so as
not to impair vision or obstruct the travel of motorists.
Trash, Junk and Debris
Trash, junk and debris cannot be left in the yard and must be
disposed of properly. This includes junk such as auto parts,
appliances, furniture, building materials and tires; trash such as
paper, cardboard, plastics, etc. and debris such as tree trimmings
and limbs. (NOTE: The City of Tulsa provides services to help you
dispose of some items. Please contact Bulky Waste Pickup at (918)
596-9511 for assistance with larger items.)
Inoperable Motor Vehicles
Inoperable motor vehicles must be stored in a fully enclosed
structure. A vehicle must appear to be operable and capable of
being legally operated. Signs of inoperable vehicles are flat tires
or missing parts. These vehicles cannot be used for storage or be
stored in the yard, street or driveway.
Parking
Parking is permitted on residential lots only on a legal
driveway or in a garage. A driveway or parking area must be made
with approved all-weather surface material (asphalt or concrete) to
meet city standards. In certain zoning situations, there are limits
to the amount of yard area that can be used for a driveway or
parking. Check with INCOG at (918) 584-7526 for more information
about legally recognized parking areas.
Note: Vehicles parked in the
street must be operable and may not remain parked in the same space
for an extended time. Violations should be reported to the Customer
Care Center at (918) 596-2100. Please note the closest address, the
color, model, and tag number of vehicles when reporting a street
parking violation. These violations are handled by the Tulsa Police
Department. This is not a code violation.
Outdoor Storage
Outdoor storage is prohibited on residential property.
Generally, any equipment, materials, or furnishings that would
ordinarily not be used outdoors may not be stored outdoors. For
example, you may not keep indoor furniture, household appliances or
auto parts outside. You may store building materials outside if
they are neatly stacked. You may store firewood, grills, lawn
furniture, hoses, tools, play equipment for children, or a
lawn-mower outside.
Vacant, Unsecured Structures
The maintenance of a structure is the responsibility of the
property owner. The property owner is responsible for maintaining
secure windows, doors, or other openings that cannot be readily
opened from the outside. An owner may need to board up a vacant
structure if a break-in or fire occurs. These structures are a very
real problem for neighborhoods. They have become a target for
vandals, criminal activities, and a general nuisance for adjacent
properties and values. If the building has deteriorated to a
condition that meets the criteria of health and safety risks for
the public, it can be considered for demolition.
Illegal Business
Home occupations and cottage industries have sprung up
throughout neighborhoods across the country. Some occupations are
permitted by right and others are permitted by special exception.
Most businesses are not allowed to operate in residential areas.
Examples of illegal businesses would include auto repair and
ongoing sales. For more information, you can refer to Title 42;
Section 402 B.6.a, or call INCOG at (918) 584-7526.
Commercial Equipment and Recreational Vehicles
Commercial equipment and commercial vehicles may not be parked
in a residential area unless they are within a fully enclosed
structure. It is illegal to park any vehicle not customary to
residential use (such as box vans, dump trucks, semitrailers,
etc.). Recreational vehicles have specific conditions for parking
in residential neighborhoods. Please contact the Neighborhood
Investigations office or see Title 42; Section 402; 7 to review
these requirements.
Illegal Fencing, Screening, Walls
Fencing in a front yard may not exceed four (4) feet
in height and side and backyard fencing may not exceed
eight (8) feet. INCOG Land Development Services staff can
discuss the allowed heights for fencing. The City of Tulsa requires
a building permit to build retaining walls. Screening fences are
required between residential and commercial/industrial areas in
some cases. For more information, contact INCOG at (918)
584-7526.
Dead Trees
Trees damaged or dead to the extent that a limb, tree or part
could fall and pose a hazard to the public are a violation of the
codes.
