Swan Lake Neighborhood Association

Keeping Up Appearances

Dec 07, 2004

The Swan Lake neighborhood has a lot to be proud of.
Our homes, apartments and businesses are designated as a historic district. This distinction comes with a price...there are rules and guidelines to follow.

However, all Tulsa neighborhoods have a standard with which we all must adhere to.
Code restrictions on residential property are there for a reason.
No one wants to live next to the person who has a rusty appliance on their front porch or parks their vehicles on the lawn (as depicted in the photo).

With permission (and thanks) from Tulsa World Action Line editor Phil Mulkins, we are reprinting an article on residential code restrictions:

Property use code prevents eclectic eyesore
By PHIL MULKINS World Action Line Editor
12/2/2004

What are the code restrictions for residential property? -- B.H., Tulsa.

Yard vegetation.
Yard and lot maintenance standards are the responsibility of property owners and residents, including plants in rights of way on properties.
Grassy ground cover cannot exceed 12 inches in height, except healthy trees, shrubs or produce for human consumption in tended gardens.
Weeds, poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac must be removed.
Vegetation and trees may not impair vision or obstruct street traffic.

Trash, junk and debris.
Junk auto parts, appliances, furniture, building materials and tires must be disposed of properly.
Trash paper, cardboard and plastics; and tree trimmings and limbs must be removed.
The city provides "bulky waste pickup" days (on regular curb-pickup days) for large junk items, by appointment at 596.9777.

Inoperable motor vehicles.
Junk vehicles must be kept in enclosed structures. Vehicles parked within view of the street must appear operable.
Signs of inoperability include flat tires or visibly missing parts.
Such vehicles may not be used to store other items or be parked in yards, on streets or in driveways.

Parking.
On residential property, vehicles may be parked only on legal driveways, made of approved all-weather surface material (asphalt or concrete) or in garages. The Indian Nations Council of Governments (584.7526) has more information.
Vehicles parked on streets must be operable and may not remain parked longer than 24 hours.
Report violations to the Mayor's Action Center (596.2100), noting the closest address, vehicle color, model and tag number.
Tulsa Police check street parking violations.

Outdoor storage.
Outdoor storage is prohibited on residential property. Equipment, materials or furnishings not ordinarily used outdoors may not be stored outdoors.
Residents may not keep indoor furniture, household appliances or auto parts outside.
Building materials may be kept outside if neatly stacked.
Firewood, grills, lawn furniture, hoses, tools, play equipment and lawn mowers may be stored outside.

Illegal business.
Home businesses are usually not permitted.
Some occupations are permitted "by right" and others are permitted by special exception.
Businesses are not allowed in residential areas, including auto repair and ongoing sales (INCOG, 584.7526).

Commercial equipment and RVs.
Commercial equipment and vehicles may not be parked in residential areas (except in enclosed structures), nor may any vehicles not customary to residential use.
Recreational vehicles have specific conditions for parking in residential neighborhoods -- www.cityoftulsa.org/ general+information/ordinances/ title42-4.htm -- Title 42, "Zoning and Property Restrictions."

Illegal fences, screens or walls.
Fencing in front yards may not exceed 4 feet in height and side and backyard fencing may not exceed 8 feet. Tulsa requires building permits for building retaining walls.
Screening fences are required between residential and commercial/industrial areas, in some cases.