Code Update Phase 2: Code Development

Phase 2: Code Development (Ongoing)

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.

Visit 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(PDF, 2MB)
  • 2023 Urban Medium Proposed Commercial Zones Slides(PDF, 4MB)
  • 2023 Urban Medium Proposed Commercial Zone Presentation Recording
  • 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)
  • 2022 Urban Medium Proposed Residential Zones Slides(PDF, 12MB)
  • 2022 Urban Medium Proposed Residential Zones Audio
  • Urban Medium Neighbors Said About The Residential Zones in 2022(PDF, 241KB)
• 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(PDF, 15MB)
• 2021 New Zones - LUTA Concept Part 1 Audio 

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.

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 view notes from focus groups meetings.

Neighbors

• June 2023 Wilde Oaks UCD Neighbors Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 3MB)
• April 2023 Capitol Hill Civic Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 3MB)
• March 2023 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 4MB)
  • March 2023 Urban Medium Neighbors Focus Group Notes(PDF, 271KB)
• February 2023 Miller/Crestwood Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 13MB)
  • February 2023 Miller/Crestwood Focus Group Notes(PDF, 228KB)
• February 2023 Northeast Coalition Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 9MB)
  • February 2023 Northeast Coalition Focus Group Notes(PDF, 202KB)
• January 2023 Heritage Hills Historic Preservation Focus Group Presentation Slides(PDF, 10MB)
  • January 2023 Heritage Hills Historic Preservation Focus Group Notes(PDF, 205KB)
• January 2023 Urban Conservation District Focus Group (Linwood Place and Mayfair Heights) Presentation Slides(PDF, 8MB)
  • January 2023 Urban Conservation District Focus Group (Linwood Place and Mayfair Heights) Notes(PDF, 205KB)
• 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)

Green Infrastructure

• Green Infrastructure Presentation(PDF, 2MB)
• Green Infrastructure Notes(PDF, 938KB)

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EV)

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EV) Presentation(PDF, 2MB)
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EV) Notes(PDF, 133KB)

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 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.

Stakeholder Advisory Team 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.

Latest Sign Ordinance