Definitions.
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 57-131
in effect§ 57-131. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) Commercial property means all land and real property other than residential real property and undeveloped real property.
(2) Department means the Department of Public Works of The City of Oklahoma City.
(3) Detention facilities means facilities designed to hold stormwater for a short period and then to release it to the natural watercourse.
(4) Developed real property means all land and real property altered from its natural state by the addition to or construction of any impervious surface such that the hydrology of the property is affected or the alteration of land or real property affecting the quality, quantity, or direction of stormwater flow.
(5) Director means the Director of the Department and/or the designated representative.
(6) Drainage basin plan means a plan adopted by the City for managing surface and stormwater facilities and features within an individual drainage basin.
(7) Impervious surface means any hard surfaced area which prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil in the manner and to the extent that such water entered the soil under natural conditions, causing water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow than was present under natural conditions, such as, but not limited to, roof tops, asphalt or concrete sidewalks, paving, driveways and parking lots, walkways, patio areas, storage areas, and gravel, bituminous substances or other surfaces which similarly affect the natural infiltration or runoff patterns of real property in its natural state.
(8) NPDES permit means the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued to the City by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any addition or amendment thereto.
(9) Residential property means any land, tract, lot or parcel designed and used principally for the purpose of one residential single-family house or one duplex, developed according to and meeting the bulk and area requirements for residential single-family or duplex zoned property as set forth in the Oklahoma City Municipal Code at the time of the development of such property. However, multiple residential single-family housing or multiple duplexes or any combination thereof on one tract, lot or parcel shall not be deemed residential property.
(10) Retention facilities means facilities designed to hold stormwater for a sufficient length of time to provide for it to be consumed by evaporation, infiltration into the immediate soil or other natural means.
(11) Stormwater charge means the fees levied within the boundaries of the City for the use or benefit of the City's stormwater drainage system, and may include a stormwater base fee and stormwater utility fee. The stormwater fees are to meet the requirements and regulations of local, State and Federal Governments, including but not limited to the NPDES permit, to develop a stormwater utility, and to maintain a stormwater drainage system.
(12) Stormwater drainage system means any facility, structure, improvement, development, equipment, property or interest therein, or other structural or nonstructural element made, constructed, used or acquired for the purpose of collecting, containing, storing, conveying and controlling stormwater wherever located, including, but not limited to, storm sewers, curbs, street drains, conduits, natural and manmade channels, pipes, culverts and detention ponds whether public or private.
(13) Stormwater drainage utility means the system of providing certain stormwater and/or drainage services, as each is defined by the City as service provider, for which a fee is charged to users and those benefiting therefrom and to those to which such services are made available.
(14) Stormwater management program or program means an overall strategy and framework for the stormwater management activities of the City.
(15) Stormwater runoff means that portion of the rainfall that is drained into the stormwater drainage system.
(16) Undeveloped real property means land or real property unaltered by the construction or addition of any impervious surface which would change or affect the hydrology of the property from its natural state.
(17) User means the occupant, the owner of the land or real property, the owner of any impervious surface or improvement and/or other person or entity benefiting from the stormwater drainage system.
(Ord. No. 20364, § 1, 6-13-95; Ord. No. 26913, § 1, 11-9-21)
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_CH57WARE_ARTVSTDRPR_S57-131DEFetched: 10/28/2026