Responsibility for improvements.
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 16-5
in effect§ 16-5. - Responsibility for improvements.
(a) It is intended by this chapter that the improvements of primary drainage and major river channels shall be the responsibility of the developer since the developer is directly and materially benefitted and for the long-term benefit of the community as a whole. The developer of land or improvements within an area containing a primary drainage channel must design, plan, and carry out their developments in a manner that will not interfere with, increase, change, or restrict the natural flow of water or materially change the condition of runoff or discharge within the calculated area below the 100-year maximum flood elevation. Increased runoff or discharge and changes in primary drainage channels which are created by such developments within primary drainage areas are the planning responsibility of the developer and will be constructed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The improvement of secondary drainage channels is the responsibility of the developer, since the primary benefit is to the area served by the secondary channel and not to the community. Community as used in this chapter shall not mean the City but rather members of the general public individually and collectively. Provided, this chapter does not create any responsibility or liability upon the City to make improvements or to prevent flooding.
(b) Stormwater facilities.
(1) Public stormwater facilities and systems. For proposed developments that will have streets dedicated to the public, the storm sewer systems for that development shall be public. The public stormwater system must be designed in accordance with this chapter and the DCM and constructed in accordance with plans designed by an Engineer and reviewed for compliance by the City Engineer. Public stormwater facilities and systems must be placed in an appropriately sized easement approved by the City Engineer and dedicated to the City for public benefit, and upon formal acceptance by the City Council of the public stormwater facilities and systems and the easement, the City will assume maintenance.
(2) Private stormwater facilities and systems.
a. For proposed developments with private streets, the storm sewer systems for that development shall be private. Private stormwater facilities and systems shall not be dedicated to the City and all construction, operation and maintenance responsibilities shall remain with the developer and property owner(s). Post-construction operation and maintenance responsibilities of private stormwater facilities and systems placed in a private drainage easement or suitable common area as a part of a plat may be assigned to a Property Owners Association or Homeowners Association.
b. The design, construction, operation and maintenance of private stormwater facilities and systems will not be reviewed by Public Works Engineering or City Engineer personnel. Private stormwater facilities and systems will be inspected by Public Works Field Services Inspection personnel.
(c) Where construction of a stormwater facility or system is required along a property line common to two or more property owners, the property owner proposing development or use of their property shall be responsible for meeting the stormwater drainage requirements at the time of development.
(d) Drainage easements of adequate width to provide working room for construction and maintenance must be provided for all storm sewers with the minimum width being 15 feet. Drainage easements should include additional width to ensure that structures, buildings, and improvements adjacent to drainage easements are not affected by excavation or other work within and to the edges of the drainage easement.
(Ord. No. 27691, § 2, 9-24-24)
Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH16DRFLCO_S16-5REIMFetched: 10/28/2026