Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Sand Springs, Oklahoma

Sand Springs’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, additions, alterations and demolition inside Sand Springs city

  • Cosmetic improvements such as painting, non-structural roof work, or routine repair and maintenance may be done without a permit
  • Issued by the Neighborhood Services division

  “a building permit must be issued before construction work begins.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owners doing their own building work inside Sand Springs city

  • Owner still needs a building permit
  • Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be done by state-licensed, city-registered contractors

  “individuals can do their own building work (footing, framing, etc.) provided it meets minimum code standards.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Building and trade construction inside Sand Springs city

  • Adopted and amended by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Codes Commission
  • Only local amendment requires backwater valves on all building drain sewer connections
  • FAQ states 2018 I-codes; state may have since moved to newer editions (not verified)

  “sand springs has adopted the 2018 international codes council code series for building construction and trade work, and 2020 national electrical code, as adopted and amended by the oklahoma uniform building codes commission.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Sand Springs city

  • Trade inspections must be requested by the licensed contractor at the rough stage
  • City does not require a permit or inspection for fences

  inspections during construction: >= 18 inspections

  “at least 18 inspections are performed during a project's construction phase.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New habitable residential, commercial or industrial buildings inside Sand Springs city

  • Major commercial renovations or changes in business occupancy also require a CO

  “all new construction of habitable residential, commercial or industrial buildings requires a certificate of occupancy (co) before the building can be occupied.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Sand Springs city limits (Tulsa County area)

  • Zoning Code footer dated 5/9/2025

  “the planning department oversees land uses within the city limits of sand springs through administration of the comprehensive plan, zoning code, and subdivision regulations.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Sand Springs city

  • Zoning map also published on the Planning page

  “section 2.01. zoning districts established the zoning districts set forth below are hereby established.”

• Tiny homesLimited

  Tiny homes as accessory dwelling units inside Sand Springs city

  • Treated as an accessory dwelling unit; ADU by right only in certain RS areas, otherwise by special exception
  • Stand-alone tiny home rules not read

  “examples of adus include in-law suites, coach houses, garage apartments, tiny homes, accessory apartments, or other similar uses.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on lots with a detached single-family dwelling inside Sand Springs city

  • By right only in a defined RS area; other areas by special exception or other conditions (footnote [2] not fully read)
  • Must comply with section 5.03.c
  • ADUs need independent utility connections for water, sanitary sewer, electric and gas
  • Parking: two all-weather off-street spaces
  • Height: one story or 18 feet

  ADU height: <= 18 feet (one story)

  “[1] = accessory dwelling units are allowed by right in rs districts located between the east side of industrial ave. and east side of washington ave.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Sand Springs city

  • Plats go through the planning commission and city council

  “the staff works with the planning commission and city council to process subdivision plats, hear zoning cases, and address other land uses”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Building permit applications inside Sand Springs city

  • Floodplain compliance is checked as part of permit review; separate floodplain ordinance not opened

  “once completed, the application is checked for zoning, building/trade code, floodplain and soils disturbance compliance.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Sand Springs city

  • Fees paid when permit is issued
  • Building value is not part of the fee
  • Fee schedule itself not opened

  “most of the costs associated with a building permit are based on a building's square footage and the type and amount of installations or improvements being made.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit applications inside Sand Springs city

  • Residential permits usually reviewed in one to two weeks
  • Site plan and professionally prepared drawings required for residential applications

  “once a permit application and complete plan set is submitted, it enters a review process involving the city's planning, neighborhood services and public works departments.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Sand Springs or Tulsa County directly.

• Minimum dwelling size — Main residential districts
• Minimum lot size — RS and AG districts
• Setbacks — RS and AG districts
• Lot coverage — RS and AG districts
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Sand Springs city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.