Oklahoma City building permits
Building permits in Oklahoma City are issued by the Development Services Department, Development Center1. You can apply and request inspections online through okc.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Oklahoma City? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma City building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Oklahoma City
- Inspections in Oklahoma City
- Building without a permit in Oklahoma City
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Oklahoma rules that also apply in Oklahoma City
- Sources
Building department contacts
Development Services Department, Development Center1
Building permits
- Phone
- (405) 297-25253
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 420 W Main St, 1st Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 731023
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.4
- Inspections
- Online (Access portal), IVR (405) 316-5656, or SelecTXT text message3
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (state) / Oklahoma Department of Labor; plus City of Oklahoma City contractor registration8
Contractor licensing
- Website
- oklahoma.gov8
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: okc.gov9.
Do you need a permit in Oklahoma City? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Oklahoma City's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Yes | – |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet10 |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet11 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Roof area that can be replaced without a permit: 500 square feet6 |
| Pool | Yes | – |
| Water heater | Yes | Like-for-like replacement exempt? No3 |
Building codes in force in Oklahoma City
These are the model codes Oklahoma City enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Oklahoma building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | International Residential Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | Council of The City of Oklahoma City (code supplements/resolutions)11 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | International Building Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | – |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | International Existing Building Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | – |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | International Plumbing Code, 201812 | 201812 | 13 | – |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | International Mechanical Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | – |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | International Fuel Gas Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | – |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | International Fire Code, 201812 | 201812 | – | – |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | National Electrical Code, 201712 | 201712 | – | – |
| Energy code, residential | International Energy Conservation Code, 200912 | 200912 | – | – |
| Energy code, commercial | International Energy Conservation Code, 200912 | 200912 | – | – |
Oklahoma City building permit fees
Fees come from the Oklahoma City Municipal Code Chapter 60, General Schedule of Fees (Titles 12, 18, 29, 42), linked to Municode14, effective 15.
Each line is worded as in Oklahoma City’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Fence permit, each (fence and retaining walls over 12" tall) | Flat fee | Permit, each (fence and retaining walls over 12" tall) · $22.00 · $25.00 · 60-19-615 |
| Swimming pool/hot tub/fountain/spray grounds permit, each | Flat fee | Swimming pool/hot tub/fountain/spray grounds permit, each · $38.00 · $75.00 · 60-12-10 (b)15 |
| Minimum permit fee (new construction) | Minimum fee | Minimum permit fee · $55.00 · $75.00 · 60-12-9 (a)15 |
| Reinspection/trip fee (building) | Re-inspection | Reinspection/trip fee · $38.50 · $50.00 · 60-12-10 (d)15 |
| Occupancy certificate, each | Flat fee | Occupancy certificate, each · $11.00 · $25.00 · 60-12-10 (c)15 |
| After hours inspection (building) | After-hours inspection | After hours inspection · $0.00 · $140.00 · $157.50 · $175.00 · 60-12-10 (g)15 |
| Photovoltaic system (building) | Flat fee | Photovoltaic system · $0.00 · $76.80 · $86.40 · $96.00 · 60-12-10 (i)15 |
| Demolition fee, first story | Flat fee | First story · $38.00 · $70.00 · $74.00 · $78.00 · 60-12-8 (a)15 |
| Preliminary building permit review | Plan review | Preliminary building permit review · $76.00 · $135.20 · $142.60 · $150.00 · 60-12-6 (a)15 |
| Plumbing: alteration base fee (residential, when alteration/addition requires a building permit) | Flat fee | Alteration base fee, required when alteration or addition is sufficient to require a building permit · $28.50 · $72.90 · $78.40 · $84.00 · 60-42-7 (a)15 |
| Plumbing reinspection / trip fee (residential new construction) | Re-inspection | Reinspection / trip fee · $42.00 · $50.00 · 60-42-6 (d)15 |
| Gasfitting, replacement of residential appliance or fixture, each | Per fixture or item | Each appliance or fixture, bathroom wall heater, floor furnace - gas, appliance over 40k Btu, unit heater - wall, vented water · $26.50 · $50.00 · 60-29-2015 |
| Electrical: residential add-on, remodel and minor electrical wiring; no change in service | Flat fee | Residential add-on, remodel and minor electrical wiring; no change in service · $52.00 · $90.40 · $95.20 · $100.00 · 60-18-16 (a)15 |
| Electrical: swimming pool wiring | Flat fee | Swimming pool wiring · $74.00 · $93.00 · 60-18-26 (a)15 |
| Electrical: photovoltaic installations (solar) | Flat fee | Photovoltaic installations (solar). · $0.00 · $96.00 · $108.00 · $120.00 · 60-18-26 (h)15 |
| Re-roofing permit submittal payment | Flat fee | $94.506 |
Oklahoma City’s fee table lists a prior rate and then the rates effective July 1, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Where a line shows two amounts, the second (effective July 1, 2024) is the current one; where it shows four, the last (effective July 1, 2026) is current.
How to get a building permit in Oklahoma City
- Register a user account or log in at www.okc.gov/access16
- Select Permit > Apply for Permit16
- Choose permit type, upload documents as PDF (one combined file where possible)16
- Receive permit with required-inspection checklist, then begin work and call for inspections8
- Request inspections online, by IVR (405) 316-5656, or SelecTXT3
- Apply online
- Yes8
Inspections in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Foundation (residential building, IVR code 6204)17
- Frame (residential building, IVR code 6205)17
- Building final (residential, IVR code 6206)17
- Fence final (IVR code 4633)17
- Pool final (residential, IVR code 6194)17
- Water heater final (residential plumbing, IVR code 6593)17
- How to schedule
- Online, IVR (405) 316-5656, or SelecTXT18
- Re-inspection fee
- $50.0015
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of occupancy (fee $25 each); TCOs not issued for residential19
Building without a permit in Oklahoma City
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Permit revoked Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 12 (section not identified) | False information on the Property Owner Insurance Exemption Certificate1 | Permit suspension/revocation and/or penalty under OKC Code Chapter 121 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes20
- Homeowner electrical work
- No3
- Homeowner plumbing work
- No3
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner certifies they own the single-family/duplex property and will perform the construction1
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes21
Oklahoma's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Oklahoma permit guide.
Oklahoma rules that also apply in Oklahoma City
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Oklahoma
- Contractor licensing in Oklahoma
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Oklahoma
- Private plan review and inspections in Oklahoma
Sources
- Property Owner Insurance Exemption CertificateCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Fence Permit Submittal RequirementsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Development CenterCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- About Us (Development Center)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 6, 2026
- Subdivision & ZoningCity of Oklahoma City, Planning Department, Subdivision & ZoningChecked November 6, 2026
- Re-Roofing Permit RequirementsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterRevised July 28, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Flood InformationCity of Oklahoma City, Public Works DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Building & Trade PermitsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Accela Citizen Access (OKC Development, Permitting and Licensing Portal)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, Third EditionCommonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionPublished August 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Amendments, 2018 International Residential Code (City of Oklahoma City and State of Oklahoma)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Adopted Building Safety CodesCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 6, 2026
- Amendments, 2018 International Plumbing Code (City of Oklahoma City and State of Oklahoma)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterEffective March 1, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- Permit FeesCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Development Services Fee Changes (Fees Changing July 1, 2025)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterEffective July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Online Building Permit Submittal StandardsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Voice Permits / IVR inspection codes brochureCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Certificate of OccupancyCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Construction Submittal RequirementsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Plan ReviewCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026