Housing Zoning Code Amendments

In May 2020, the City of Tulsa concluded a housing market demand study and strategy for the downtown and surrounding neighborhood areas. A key recommendation of that effort was to review the Zoning Code for any potential barriers to building new housing in these existing neighborhoods. During the review, Tulsa Planning Office staff identified several potential barriers that could be addressed through the development of an overlay, including: setbacks, open space, the number of units allowed on a lot, and parking.

Including outreach conducted during the Housing Study, Tulsa Planning Office staff has coordinated multiple events to collaborate with residents and neighborhood leaders in the areas where the proposed overlay would be in effect, in addition to local housing builders and architects, elected officials, and various City authorities, boards, and commissions. Public surveys were also conducted for those unable to attend scheduled meetings.

sThe initial focus of the proposed overlay closely align with the neighborhood areas included in the Downtown & Surrounding Neighborhoods Housing Study & Strategy. View this interactive map to see if you are included in the proposed overlay boundary.

Other neighborhoods may be added in the future where similar infill opportunities exist.

The Tulsa Planning Office staff will continue to work with the community and elected officials to identify other appropriate neighborhoods for application.

If you would like your neighborhood to be included in this overlay in the future, contact us.

Unlike Historic Preservation districts, the proposed overlay will not regulate specific building styles or features such as windows, roof pitch, color, or materials. Any new housing must comply with the Zoning Code, which regulates things like building height, placement in relation to the street and adjacent properties, and the amount of required open space.

All new housing development still requires off-street parking spaces. Because lots in many of these older neighborhoods are constrained, the neighborhood infill overlay reduces the typical minimum off-street parking requirements by half. For example, a duplex within the overlay would require two (2) off-street parking spaces versus the minimum four (4) required in other residential neighborhoods.

Property values are a product of the overall housing market, based on several factors, including location, the types of and demand for housing, neighborhood conditions, and others. New infill housing is unlikely to have a negative effect on property values because the new housing often replaces vacant lots or abandoned buildings, or involves renovating buildings, which brings stability to the neighborhood.

The amendments took effect December 24, 2021.

Nathan Foster, Principal Planner
nathanfoster@cityoftulsa.org
918-596-7609