Code Update Phase 2: Code Development

Thanks for visiting the update website. 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. During the coming months, we will continue to:

• Hold focus groups with neighbors and builders on the new zones for the City's urban core.
• Provide public commenting on Definitions and Use Regulations.
• Provide public commenting on proposed Development Standards, including for Parking and Landscaping.

Drafts

The first sections of drafts for public comment are here. Please review and let us know your thoughts.

Public Review and Commenting on Code Update Sections

Understanding the New Code

What is a LUTA?

The first step in rewriting 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.

Visit each LUTA to learn more about the new zones. The Urban Medium LUTA zones are available for comment. Other LUTA zones will be released in 2027.

• Rural Low LUTA
• Rural Medium LUTA
• Urban Low LUTA
• Urban Medium LUTA - The drafts for the new Urban Medium Zones are available for review and comment. See presentations and discussion about the zones at the links below.
  • UM Neighbors Focus Group August 18, 2026 Presentation Slides(PDF, 3MB) and Notes(PDF, 272KB)
  • UM Neighbors Focus Group August 4, 2026 Presentation Slides and Notes(PDF, 10MB)
  • 2023 Urban Medium Proposed Zones Explained Slides(PDF, 2MB)
  • What Urban Medium Neighbors Said About The Commercial Zones in 2023(PDF, 271KB)
  • What Urban Medium Professionals/Developers Said About The Commercial Zones in 2023(PDF, 290KB)
  • Urban Medium Neighbors Said About The Residential Zones in 2022(PDF, 241KB)
  • View other presentations that explain the UM Zones.
• Urban High LUTA
• Downtown LUTA 

Community Input

Workshops

The Oklahoma City chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reviewed the new Building Design sections for the Urban Medium areas. Building Design sections apply to multi-dwelling and commercial zones, including quadplexes. The architects provided valuable input and suggestions for the drafts in 2025. See the presentation that explains the purpose of the Building Design sections(PDF, 14MB).

The City of Oklahoma City Planning Department, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Oklahoma, and White Smith Cousino (WSC) organized two in-person workshops, held at Innovation Hall in March, 2026. Teams composed of developers, realtors, planners and architects assessed portions of the draft City zoning code, developed by City staff and WSC as consultants, for useability and clarity, to identify conflicting or unreasonable standards, and test the feasibility of projects with the regulations. Eight sites located in the Urban Medium area of the city were selected to test the following proposed new zones: UM-MD (Multi-Dwelling); UM-MC (Mixed Commercial); and UM-MX (Mixed Use). Staff incorporated the comments into revised zone drafts, as well as parking and landscaping drafts. Thanks to ULI for hosting and to the volunteers who donated their time.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) - Zoning Code Testing. View the summary report.(PDF, 11MB)

Surveys

Code Update 2022 Survey Results(PDF, 1MB)

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.

2021 Survey Results(PDF, 3MB)

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 are the notes from the focus group meetings.

Neighborhoods

• March 2023 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 4MB)
  • March 2023 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Notes(PDF, 271KB)
• November-December 2022 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group
  • November-December 2022 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Notes(PDF, 241KB)
  • November-December 2022 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Presentation Recording
• December 2021 See what residents across the City said about the LUTA zoning concept.
  • Notes from Outside the Core Discussion(PDF, 200KB)
  • Notes from Inside the Core Discussion(PDF, 209KB)
  • Notes from Rural Discussion(PDF, 200KB)

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 its first meeting via Zoom on May 29, 2020. Meetings are open to the public.

Stakeholder Advisory Team Agendas and Meeting Minutes

Topics of Interest