RAT CONTROL

Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 46

in effect

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-1 Definitions.

§ 46-1. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: (1) Health Officer means the Director of the Health Department or his authorized agent. (2) Occupant means the person that has the use of or occupies any business building or a part thereof, whether the actual owner or tenant. If a business building or any part thereof is vacant, then the owner, agent or other person having custody of the building shall have the responsibility of an occupant of a building. (3) Owner means the title owner of a business building. If a business building is leased with a clause in the lease specifying that the lessee is responsible for maintenance and repairs the lessee will be considered as the "owner." (4) Rat harborage means any condition which provides shelter or protection for rats. (5) Rat stoppage or ratproofing means a preventative health measure used to prevent the ingress of rats into business buildings from the exterior or from one business building to another. It consists essentially of rendering impervious to rat gnawing, all actual or potential openings in the exterior walls, ground or first floor, roof and foundation of buildings that may be reached by rats. (Code 1970, § 24-1; Code 1980, § 46-1)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-2 General function of Health Officer.

§ 46-2. - General function of Health Officer. Rats in all business buildings in the City shall be exterminated and the buildings shall be ratproofed and maintained in a ratproof and rat-free condition under the direction and supervision of the Health Officer. (Code 1970, § 24-2; Code 1980, § 46-2)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-3 Building to be maintained in ratproof condition; construction, repair requirements.

§ 46-3. - Building to be maintained in ratproof condition; construction, repair requirements. No person shall construct, repair, remodel or alter any building, dwelling, stable or market, or other structure unless these activities shall render the building or other structure ratproof in accordance with the regulations prescribed in this chapter; provided, however, that only activities that affect the ratproof condition of any building or other structure shall be considered as subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Code 1970, § 24-9; Code 1980, § 46-3)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-4 Compliance prerequisite to issuance of business license.

§ 46-4. - Compliance prerequisite to issuance of business license. No City license to conduct a business in a business building shall be issued to any person until the requirements of this chapter have been complied with. If the building or other structure has been ratproofed in accordance with the regulations prescribed in this chapter, the owner shall, without a specific order of the Health Officer and regardless of need for remodeling, repair or installation, maintain the building or structure in a ratproof condition. (Code 1970, § 24-10; Code 1980, § 46-4)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-5 Duty of owner of business buildings.

§ 46-5. - Duty of owner of business buildings. The owner of a business building shall comply with the Health Officer's notice to ratproof the building within the time allotted by the Health Officer, unless a written time extension has been granted by him. The notice shall be in writing and shall be effective upon receipt by the owner. After receipt, the owner shall have no less than 15 days with which to comply with the notice. (Code 1970, § 24-3; Code 1980, § 46-5)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-6 Duty of occupant.

§ 46-6. - Duty of occupant. The occupants of all ratproofed buildings shall maintain the premises in a ratproof condition and repair all breaks or leaks that may occur in the ratproofing unless such breaks or leaks develop as the result of natural deterioration of the buildings. (Code 1970, § 24-4; Code 1980, § 46-6)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-7 Inspections.

§ 46-7. - Inspections. (a) Spot check inspections. The Health Officer is authorized to make unannounced inspections of the interior and exterior of business buildings, to determine if the buildings comply fully with the requirements of this chapter. (b) Periodic inspections. The Health Officer shall make periodic inspections of all rat-stopped buildings to determine whether any rat infestation has occurred and the existence of new breaks and leaks in their ratproofing, at intervals of not more than 45 days. (c) Notice to abate condition. If any evidence is found indicating the presence of rats or openings through which rats may enter business buildings, the Health Officer shall serve the owners or occupants with notices and orders to abate the condition. (Code 1970, § 24-5; Code 1980, § 46-7)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-8 Measures for elimination of rat harborage.

§ 46-8. - Measures for elimination of rat harborage. If the Health Officer determines that conditions inside or under a business building are creating extensive rat harborage, then the Health Officer may require: (1) the owner of the building to install suitable cement floors in the building basement; or (2) the owner of the building to replace wooden first or ground floors; or (3) the owner and/or occupant to correct the interior rat harborage condition in order to facilitate the eradication of rats in reasonable time. (Code 1970, § 24-6; Code 1980, § 46-8)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-9 Removal of ratproofing without restoration prohibited; duty to seal any openings.

§ 46-9. - Removal of ratproofing without restoration prohibited; duty to seal any openings. No person shall remove the ratproofing from any business building for any purpose and fail to restore the same in a satisfactory condition. No person shall make any new opening in business buildings unless the opening is closed or sealed to prevent the entrance of rats. (Code 1970, § 24-7; Code 1980, § 46-9)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-10 Buildings containing foodstuffs.

§ 46-10. - Buildings containing foodstuffs. No person shall occupy any building or structure in which foodstuffs are to be stored, handled, sold, held or offered for sale without complying with the ratproofing regulations prescribed in this chapter. (Code 1970, § 24-8; Code 1980, § 46-10)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-11 Protection of animal and poultry feed.

§ 46-11. - Protection of animal and poultry feed. All animal and poultry feed shall be kept and stored in rat-free and ratproof containers, compartments, or rooms unless kept in a ratproof building. (Code 1970, § 24-11; Code 1980, § 46-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-12 Handling of garbage, refuse, and dead animals.

§ 46-12. - Handling of garbage, refuse, and dead animals. All garbage, refuse and small dead animals shall be placed and stored in covered containers of a type prescribed by the Health Officer until collected by the Garbage Department. No person shall place any garbage, refuse, dead animals, or waste material on any premises, land or waterway within the City. (Code 1970, § 24-12; Code 1980, § 46-12)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-13 Accumulation of garbage, rubbish, trash prohibited.

§ 46-13. - Accumulation of garbage, rubbish, trash prohibited. No person shall place, or permit an accumulation of, any garbage, rubbish or trash in any building or premises so that the same may provide food or harborage for rats. (Code 1970, § 24-13; Code 1980, § 46-13)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 46-14 Elevation of stored materials to prevent rat harborage.

§ 46-14. - Elevation of stored materials to prevent rat harborage. In order to prevent the harborage of rats, no person shall permit an accumulation of lumber, boxes, bricks, and similar material on any premises, open lot or street unless such materials are evenly stacked or piled on open racks elevated not less than 18 inches above the ground. (Code 1970, § 24-14; Code 1980, § 46-14)

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_CH46RACOFetched: 10/28/2026