Okla. Stat. tit. 19, §§ 866.2, 866.27, 869.5 § 866.27
Housing Code
Operative Text
Whenever a zoning plan and building code have been officially adopted by the council, authorization is hereby given the council to establish a housing code, upon recommendation of the commission, for the incorporated municipality. Whenever a zoning plan and building code have been officially adopted by the council and board for their respective jurisdictions, authorization is hereby given the board to establish a housing code for the area over which it exercises zoning jurisdiction, upon recommendation of the commission. A housing code established under the terms of this act shall establish minimum equipment and facility standards relating to health and sanitation including standards for lighting; heating; ventilation; garbage and waste disposal; sewage disposal; water supply; and egress. Standards shall be established for the general sanitary condition of the dwelling unit; sanitary equipment; heating equipment; chimney and flues, the storage of inflammable liquids, wiring, and other fire hazards; pest infestation; internal structural repair; external structural repair; dampness; and other factors relating to health and sanitation. Minimum standards for condition of occupancy shall be established relative to general room crowding and area crowding for sleeping and nonsleeping area and relative to mixing business and living uses in the same area or structure. A housing code established under the authorization of this act shall be based on a comprehensive survey of the actual condition of structures and environmental surroundings in the area as they relate to quality of housing, and shall be drawn to apply to all types of dwellings, and the environment thereof, used for human occupancy in the area. The enforcement and administration of the housing code shall be conducted by the inspector of the city and the inspecting officer of the county who shall advise with and work in conjunction with the city and county health departments in such administration. Administration and enforcement shall be carried out on a systematic inspection basis designed to apply quality of housing standards equally throughout the area. Enforcement of the housing code shall be coordinated with the enforcement program of the building code, construction codes and zoning regulations of the city and county respectively. Regulations authorized by this section shall not be adopted, changed, or amended by the council or board until a public hearing has been held thereon by the commission.
Under 19 O.S. §§ 866.2, 866.27, and 869.5, Oklahoma municipalities and counties that have adopted a zoning plan and building code may establish a housing code setting minimum standards for health, sanitation, structural condition, and occupancy. The code must cover a broad range of conditions—from lighting and heating to pest infestation and fire hazards—and must apply equally to all types of dwellings used for human occupancy. Any adoption, change, or amendment to these regulations requires a public hearing before the relevant planning commission before taking effect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within jurisdictions that have adopted a housing code under 19 O.S. §§ 866.2, 866.27, and 869.5 are generally expected to maintain dwelling units in compliance with the minimum standards the code establishes, covering areas such as sanitation, structural integrity, ventilation, wiring, and pest control. Enforcement is carried out through systematic inspections by city and county inspectors working in coordination with local health departments, meaning properties across the jurisdiction are subject to periodic review rather than only complaint-driven visits. Compliant operators typically keep records of maintenance, address identified deficiencies promptly, and stay informed of any code amendments, which must go through a public hearing process before becoming effective.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Oklahoma municipalities or counties that have enacted a housing code under 19 O.S. §§ 866.2, 866.27, and 869.5 have the benefit of legally established minimum standards covering conditions such as heating, sanitation, structural safety, and occupancy limits. Enforcement is handled by city and county inspectors in coordination with local health departments on a systematic basis, meaning tenants may be able to report substandard conditions to those agencies for inspection. Tenants who believe their dwelling falls below the code's minimum standards may also wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.