Phase 2: Code Development (Ongoing)

Code Development

The City’s consultant team led by White & Smith Planning and Law Group of Kansas City, Mo., with subconsultants Kendig Keast and Vireo, are creating a code framework, overseeing public input and engagement, and will draft new codes and regulations and graphics to replace the existing Zoning and Planning Code (Chapter 59 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code), sign regulations (Chapter 3, Article V of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code), and the Oklahoma City Subdivision Regulations. Phase 2 is a multi-year process that includes multiple opportunities for community-wide feedback in the form of surveys, focus groups on specific topics, and workshops to continue throughout 2022 and 2023.

Understanding the new Code

What is a LUTA?

The first step in re-writing the City’s Zoning Code is proposing new base zones. The City’s consultants propose new zones that relate better to the City’s Comprehensive Plan for the future called planokc. The Comprehensive Plan divides the City into land use typology areas (LUTAs). LUTAs will guide the City's new zoning districts.

Click each LUTA to learn more about the new zones.

Rural Low LUTA

Rural Medium LUTA

Urban Low LUTA

Urban Medium LUTA

• 2023 Urban Medium Proposed Zones Explained Slides
• 2023 Urban Medium Proposed Commercial Zones Slides        Presentation Recording
• See what Urban Medium Neighbors said about the commercial zones in 2023.
• See what Urban Medium professionals/developers said about the commercial zones in 2023. 
• 2022 Urban Medium Proposed Residential Zones Slides          Audio
• See what Urban Medium neighbors said about the residential zones in 2022.

Urban High LUTA

Downtown LUTA

The LUTAs are being proposed as the basis for new zones from Rural to Downtown. Watch presentations on how the LUTA zoning concept works around the City.

2021 New Zones - LUTA Concept Part 1 Slides          Audio

2021 New Zones - LUTA Concept Part 2

Presentation Slides for Outside the Core of OKC (Urban Low/Rural) Dec. 16, 2021

Presentation Slides for Inside the Core of OKC (Urban Medium) Dec. 16, 2021

Presentation Slides for Inside the Core of OKC (Urban Medium/Urban High March 3, 2022

Presentation Slides for Rural Areas (NE and SE) March 3, 2022

Community Input

Surveys

Code Update Survey 2022: Check back soon for results.

Code Update Survey 2021: Consultants and City staff conducted a survey in early Fall 2021. We heard from more than 1,400 residents. Those who answered the survey are most concerned about housing options/affordability; traffic/street conditions; more walkable areas and open/natural space; flooding and preserving existing buildings and homes. See the 2021 Survey Results Here.

Focus Groups

The Planning Department will be hosting focus groups by topic throughout the Code Update process. Email codeupdate@okc.gov to suggest a topic and include yourself as a participant. Below view notes from focus groups meetings.

Neighbors

June 2023 Wilde Oaks UCD Neighbors Focus Group presentation slides.

April 2023 Capitol Hill Civic Group presentation slides.

March 2023 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group presentation slides and notes from the discussion.

February 2023 Miller/Crestwood Focus Group presentation slides and notes from the discussion.

February 2023 Northeast Coalition Focus Group presentation slides and notes from the discussion.

January 2023 Heritage Hills Historic Preservation Focus Group presentation slides and notes from the discussion.

January 2023 Urban Conservation District Focus Group (Linwood Place and Mayfair Heights) presentation slides and notes from the discussion. 

November-December 2022 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group. See notes from discussions. Watch December presentation.

December 2021 See what residents across the City said about the LUTA zoning concept.

Notes from Outside the Core discussion

Notes from Inside the Core discussion

Notes from Rural discussion

Green Infrastructure

Link to presentation. Notes from the discussion.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EV)

Link to presentation. Notes from the discussion.

Drafts

As the new code is developed, drafts will be released periodically for public review and comment. Check back for updates on draft releases and sign up for email updates to receive information on draft releases.

Sign up here for email updates. Also email codeupdate@okc.gov to request more information.

Stakeholder Advisory Team

A Mayor-appointed Stakeholder Advisory Team meets periodically throughout the code development process to provide guidance to the Consultants on key elements and technical aspects of the code. The Team held their first meeting via Zoom on May 29, 2020. Meetings are open to the public.

Check here for agendas and meeting minutes.

Sign Regulations

The first project in the code update was to address issues in our code related to signs and advertising. (Chapter 3, Article V of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code). After much community and sign industry input since 2020, the Planning Commission held public hearings and recommended approval of the changes to the City Council in April of 2022. The City Council is holding hearings currently on the proposal.

The proposed revisions create a more user-friendly code layout, will reduce sign clutter and improve the aesthetics of signs across the City. A new sign code will not change existing signs but will affect new signs.

Here is the link to the latest sign ordinance.