FINDING VIOLATIONS: How Tulsa code enforcement inspects propertie

In Tulsa there are more than 700 multifamily dwellings— those include apartments, condos, and duplexes.

Multiple unresolved code violations ultimately led to the Vista Shadow Mountain Apartments being condemned by the Fire Marshal.

All remaining tenants had to move out when that happened.

"We can't allow people to be in situations that are immediately dangerous to their life," said Tulsa Fire Department Public Information Officer Andy Little.

Tulsa created the Multifamily Code Enforcement Task Force in July 2023 to prevent that from happening again.

Now marking its first anniversary, the six members from Tulsa's Fire Marshal's Office and Code Enforcement Office face a big challenge.

"It's a big challenge to inspect over 700 properties," said Kevin Cox with code enforcement. "97% of what we have inspected have some type of code violation."

Here's some of what they look at for code violations:

KJRH

In the first year the task force inspected about 20% of the properties on their list.

"The ordinance says when we find a violation, we have to give notice to the property owner," said Cox, "and give them ample time to bring the property into compliance."

It also requires frequent communication with the property owner or manager to see where they are in their plan to resolve issues, which leaves less time to begin the inspection process on more properties.

To report code enforcement issues or track case status, click here.

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Contact the Problem Solvers:

• 918-748-1502
• problemsolvers@kjrh.com

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