Scenic River Overlay District (SRO).
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 59-13450
in effect§ 59-13450. - Scenic River Overlay District (SRO).
13450.1. Purpose and Intent. The Scenic River Overlay District is intended to promote the health, safety, economic, cultural and general welfare of the public by encouraging the conservation and enhancement of the urban environment specifically in the area of Oklahoma City in the vicinity of the North Canadian River.
13450.2. Legal Description. The legal description of the SRO District can be found in Appendix A.
13450.3. Qualifier. Except for the provisions specifically contained in this section, all other provisions of this chapter shall apply to, and have full force upon, the properties contained in the SRO Overlay District.
13450.4. Overlay Zoning District Established.
A. The underlying zoning on the property, designated by the regular zoning overlay district regulations of this chapter, shall continue to regulate the use and development of land, unless expressly modified by this section.
B. Areas, tracts or sites within this overlay district shall henceforth be identified on the Official Zoning Map and in other official writings by the attachment of the suffix "SRO" to the underlying zoning district classification.
C. The regulations established in this section shall take precedence over all other regulations in this chapter.
13450.5. Review of Proposed Development. The Planning Director shall notify the Chair of the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority of all applications for rezoning, variances, special exceptions, special permits or subdivisions of land requiring a public hearing involving land parcels located wholly or partially within, or contiguous to, the SRO District.
13450.6. District Regulations. The following regulations shall be effective within the boundaries of the SRO District. The regulations contained herein may be more restrictive than the regulations of the underlying zoning district. In that case, these regulations shall take precedence.
A. Requirement for Open Space and Additional Setbacks.
(1) 50 feet of open space, measured from the floodway of the North Canadian River, shall be provided for land adjacent to the river. This open space shall contain no drive, parking or buildings. All buildings shall set back an additional 50 feet from the open space boundary.
(2) The open space area and building setback may be reduced when developed as part of a PUD.
B. Landscaping Requirements. In addition to the requirements of Article XI, Landscaping and Screening Regulations, compliance with the following requirements must be achieved.
(1) At least ten percent of the area in the overlay district, not including street right-of-way, shall be landscaped. For every 600 square feet of required landscaped area, or fraction thereof, at least one tree shall be planted. The required size of trees and credit for existing trees shall be in accordance with Article XI, Landscaping and Screening Requirements.
(2) For every 30 feet, or fraction thereof, that a site abuts the North Canadian River, at least one tree shall be planted. These trees shall be counted against the trees required above. These trees must be planted at least 20 feet from the floodway of the North Canadian River, but no further away than 150 feet from the floodway.
(3) For every 40 feet, or fraction thereof, of a site that abuts a Pearl of the String of Pearls or publicly owned land within the district, at least one tree shall be planted. The tree shall be located within ten feet of the adjoining property line. These trees shall be counted against the required trees above.
C. Exemption for Existing Residential Uses. All existing single-family and two-family residential uses made nonconforming by any of the provisions of this section shall be considered legally noncomplying uses. A legally noncomplying use can be maintained, remodeled, expanded, restored or redeveloped for the same use unit, and shall be exempt from the provisions of this section that are more restrictive than the regulations of the underlying zoning district.
D. Exemption for Existing Businesses. All existing commercial, industrial and special uses made nonconforming by any of the provisions of this section shall be considered legally nonconforming uses. Such uses may continue indefinitely. However, should any buildings be enlarged or added to the site, or should the use be discontinued for a period of two years, then the use of the building or the premises shall thereafter conform to the use regulations of this district.
E. Special Uses. The Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority shall be notified of all applications concerning the following special uses and shall have the opportunity to respond to the applications in order to ensure the protection of the environmental quality of the river environment:
(1) Mining and Processing: Minerals and Raw Materials (59-8450.1).
(2) Mining and Processing: Oil and Gas (59-8450.2).
(3) Sanitary Landfill (59-8350.12).
13450.7. Subdivision Requirements.
A. A permanent open space easement of 50 feet, measured from the floodway of the North Canadian River, shall be provided for land adjacent to the river. For plats submitted in association with a PUD, open space requirements may be reduced. Provisions should be made for permanent maintenance of all open space corridors. Unless otherwise designated in a PUD, no drives, parking or buildings will be permitted in open space easements.
B. Platted building lines shall meet setback requirements of the Scenic River Overlay District, except where otherwise specified in a PUD.
13450.8. Planned Unit Development Requirements.
A. Planned unit developments are encouraged. The rezoning of any parcel that lies partially or totally within 300 feet of the district should be done through a PUD.
B. PUD Guidelines.
(1) Public Access. Right of public access, which functions as part of the String of Pearls Master Plan, should be provided.
(2) Open Space. Except for areas designated as access points along the river, a 50-foot wide open space corridor should be provided, measured from a point beginning at the floodway of the North Canadian River. The open space corridor may be reduced if extensive landscaping and screening is provided. The open space area should contain no drives, parking or buildings. Provisions should be made for permanent maintenance of all open space corridors.
(3) Landscaping. Landscaping in excess of that required by Article XI, Landscaping and Screening Regulations, should be provided along the river, within any of the Pearls of the String of Pearls, and at highly visible locations within the district. Within 150 feet of the district, ten percent of the site should be landscaped. Otherwise, three percent of the site should be landscaped. Provisions should be made for the continual maintenance of all new landscaping.
(4) Screening. Any land uses, activities or structures that detract from the environmental quality in and around the String of Pearls should be screened. Storage, delivery, parking lots, service areas and other utilitarian space should be placed out of view or screened. Screening must be supportive of the overall String of Pearls environment.
(5) Setback. Information concerning landscaping treatment, and the type of building materials, should be provided where a building setback is less than that required in the district.
(6) Signs. Signage should be in keeping with the surrounding natural environs and height of the buildings, but in no case should it exceed the limitations of the sign regulations.
(7) Architectural Guidelines. Buildings that are constructed in the Pearls of the String of Pearls should be compatible with surrounding buildings, in terms of scale and type of materials used.
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_CH59ZOPLCO_ARTXIIIZOOVDI_S59-13450SCRIOVDISRFetched: 10/28/2026