The Oklahoma County Planning Commission only has jurisdiction over property outside any city’s limits. There, the county’s Planning Department administers and approves residential, commercial and industrial building permits with all necessary inspections; inside a city, the city issues permits.
This guide covers the county’s permits for land outside city limits and Oklahoma City’s online permit portal. Oklahoma City’s permit web pages could not be checked, so contact the city directly for its offices, fees and inspection rules.
What requires a building permit in Oklahoma County?
The county’s FAQ says it issues permits for any structure that is 200 square feet or larger. The residential application words it more broadly, requiring permits for all property improvements, including additions, placement of mobile homes and construction of outbuildings; confirm with the office before building a small structure.
Setbacks from the roadway, rear yard and side property lines depend on the zoning district. Land disturbance of one acre or more also needs a stormwater site development plan sealed by an Oklahoma civil engineer, under the county’s Stormwater Management Regulations.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Oklahoma sets statewide minimum codes (the 2024 editions since September 14, 2026) that cities enforce and may strengthen; most counties issue no building permits for unincorporated land, though a few do. Oklahoma rules
Who handles permitting in Oklahoma County?
Outside city limits: Oklahoma County Planning Commission, 320 Robert S. Kerr, Suite 201, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, 405-713-1361.
Oklahoma City: permits, planning cases, work zone permits and inspection scheduling go through the OKC Development, Permitting and Licensing Portal (Accela Citizen Access). An account is needed to apply for most permits and inspections.
Oklahoma County application and site rules
Documents
A residential application needs two copies of the filed warranty or quit claim deed, two copies of a percolation/soil test from ODEQ ((405) 702-6222), two copies of a site plan, a floor plan, and, for new homes, a footing/foundation plan stamped by an Oklahoma licensed P.E. or architect.
Streams
A conservation easement or setback from the waterway centerline must be shown on the site plan: 150 feet for rivers, 100 feet for major streams and 50 feet for minor streams.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Driveways
Driveways need a tinhorn of at least 18 inches and must be at least 200 feet from neighboring drives on a section line road. The district road maintenance yards are District 1 (405) 713-2360, District 2 (405) 713-2379 and District 3 (405) 713-2180.
Codes
Under Resolution 2024-5421, effective January 1, 2025, unincorporated Oklahoma County enforces the 2018 International codes as modified by the OUBCC and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
Oklahoma County permit costs and fees
Residential fees on the county application:
- All residential: $.25 per square foot, including covered porches, patios, carports and decks under the same roof
- Manufactured home: $1.00 per $1,000.00 of improvement (home, well and septic system)
- GIS administration fee: $10.00, on new single-family homes only
- Minimum building permit fee: $25.00; stormwater site development plan review, if applicable: $55.00
All fees are nonrefundable once the office receives them.
Fees follow the city’s own schedule, with the trades permitted separately. Oklahoma rules
Trade contractors in Oklahoma County
Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors must hold state licenses and must also be registered with Oklahoma County before starting any work.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The trades are permitted separately and done by Construction Industries Board licensees. Oklahoma rules
How to get a building permit in Oklahoma County
The county has jurisdiction only there; inside Oklahoma City, use the city’s portal.
Two copies of a percolation/soil test from ODEQ go with the application.
Show stream setbacks and the driveway; a stormwater plan is needed for one acre or more of disturbance.
The county asks for at least 3-5 business days for a complete application.
Work must start within six months of approval and be finished within two years, or a new permit is needed.
Rather not deal with the Oklahoma County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Oklahoma County
All county inspections, including footings, must be called in by 4:30 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. In Oklahoma City, inspections are scheduled through the city’s online portal.
Official Oklahoma County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Oklahoma County Planning Commission
- Oklahoma County residential permit application
- Resolution 2024-5421 (building codes)
- OKC Development, Permitting and Licensing Portal
Frequently asked questions
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Does Oklahoma County issue permits inside Oklahoma City?
No. The county Planning Commission only has jurisdiction over property outside any city’s limits; inside a city, the city issues permits.
Does a small shed need an Oklahoma County permit?
The county FAQ says permits are issued for structures of 200 square feet or larger, but the residential application covers all property improvements, including outbuildings; confirm with the office.
How long is an Oklahoma County permit good for?
Construction must start within six months of approval and be finished within two years, or a new permit is needed.
Simplify Oklahoma County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm whether the parcel is inside a city or on county land, and which office has it
- Line up floodplain, right-of-way and driveway approvals before the building permit
- File in the right county or city portal and schedule inspections against each office’s cut-off
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Oklahoma. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Oklahoma County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Oklahoma County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Oklahoma permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Oklahoma County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.