STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, ch. 1

in effect

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 100 Findings of fact.

Section 100. - Findings of fact. The City of Tulsa makes the following findings of fact: A. Because of its physical terrain and geographical location, the City is particularly subject to damage from stormwaters which, from time to time, overflow from existing watercourses and drainage facilities; B. The presently existing stormwater drainage facilities of the City require continuous operation, maintenance, renewal and replacement; C. A comprehensive approach to managing stormwater runoff is required to address existing and future needs; D. Previous regulations addressing drainage requirements for new land development must be replaced by a comprehensive approach; and E. Natural and manmade hazards exist and present a threat to the City. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 101 Purpose.

Section 101. - Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote public health, safety and welfare by providing for operating, constructing, equipping, maintaining, acquiring and owning within the City a stormwater drainage system and hazard mitigation program. The establishment of a stormwater drainage system and hazard mitigation program will: A. Minimize flood and storm losses and inconveniences from uncontrolled stormwater run-off in the City; B. Assure that the movement of emergency vehicles is not prohibited nor inhibited during storm or flood periods; C. Preserve the City's watercourses, improve and preserve purity of water, minimize water quality degradation and otherwise facilitate urban water resource management techniques, including both the reduction of pollution and the enhancement of the urban environment; and D. Mitigate other natural and manmade hazards. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 102 Definitions.

Section 102. - Definitions. Unless otherwise provided in this title, for the purposes of this title, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given herein. A. Department means the Public Works Department of the City of Tulsa. B. Director means the duly appointed Director of the Public Works Department of the City of Tulsa and/or his designated representative. C. Stormwater management and hazard mitigation program means the overall strategy and framework for the stormwater management and hazard mitigation activities of the City. D. Stormwater run-off means that portion of the rainfall that is drained into the stormwater drainage system. E. 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, conduits, natural and manmade channels, pipes, culverts and detention ponds whether public or private. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 103 Duties of the Director of Public Works.

Section 103. - Duties of the Director of Public Works. The Director shall exercise all lawful powers necessary and appropriate to administer the City of Tulsa's Stormwater Management and Hazard Mitigation Program. The Director shall have the authority to: A. Develop and administer all phases of a comprehensive program of stormwater management and hazard mitigation, including planning, designing, establishing, acquiring, constructing, developing, installing, administering, maintaining, operating, improving, repairing, replacing and reconstructing the stormwater drainage system of the City; and planning for the mitigation of natural and manmade hazards; B. Administer the accounting, budgeting, record keeping and support personnel necessary for the efficient operation of the stormwater management and hazard mitigation program; C. Administer the regulations contained in this title; D. Perform studies and analyses required to establish or modify the stormwater management and hazard mitigation program; E. Provide for public information and awareness that will improve stormwater management and hazard mitigation and reduce hazards to life and property; F. Establish a flood alert and early warning system as a joint effort with emergency response agencies; G. Coordinate enforcement of the regulations contained in this title with other City departments; and H. Seek the cooperation of counties and municipalities within the area in minimizing the contribution of all storm drainage systems to flooding and, in particular, cooperate with other affected political jurisdictions in preparing and implementing master drainage plans and hazard mitigation plans. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 104 Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board.

Section 104. - Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board. The City of Tulsa's current Stormwater Drainage Advisory Board is hereby reconstituted and renamed the Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board (the "Board"), with the same members, and additional duties as set forth below. The Board shall comprise five (5) members appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, for terms of five (5) years from and after their appointment. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of a term, it shall be filled by the Mayor by appointment for the unexpired term, subject to confirmation by the Council. The Board shall elect its officers from its membership. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 105 Purposes and duties of Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board.

Section 105. - Purposes and duties of Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board. The purposes and duties of the City of Tulsa Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board are: A. To provide policy guidance to the Mayor, to City departments, to associated entities and to the public; B. To coordinate and share information between the public, City departments and other entities on flooding, stormwater drainage and other hazards in the City; C. To cause studies to be made of matters concerning stormwater drainage and other hazards; and to recommend to the Mayor, City departments, associated entities and the public a comprehensive stormwater management and hazard mitigation program; D. To propose cooperative studies and plans for coordinated stormwater drainage and hazard mitigation services in the City and surrounding areas; E. To recommend from time to time to the Mayor, City departments, associated entities and the public, policies for establishing new kinds of stormwater drainage and hazard mitigation services, preserving and expanding existing services and making changes in services for the benefit of the public; F. To hear and consider applications for variances and appeals from decisions of the Director as provided herein; and G. To review the City of Tulsa's plans for hazard and disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, for both natural and manmade hazards and disasters. (Ord. No. 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 106 Meetings of Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board.

Section 106. - Meetings of Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board. The Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board shall hold regular meetings, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act (25 O.S., §§301, et seq.). The Board may establish convenient rules for the conduct of its meetings. (Ord. No. 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 107 Hazards to be considered.

Section 107. - Hazards to be considered. The Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board's attentions shall include, but not be limited to: dam failure drought earthquake expansive soils extreme heat floods hail storm hazardous material event high winds levee failure lightning severe winter storm terrorism tornado transportation event urban fires wildfire other natural or man-made disasters. (Ord. No. 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 108 Municipal personnel and agencies to assist.

Section 108. - Municipal personnel and agencies to assist. The facilities, personnel and agencies of the municipal government are directed to be made available to the Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board, and at all times such personnel, agencies and officers shall cooperate with the Board to accomplish the objectives and purposes herein set forth. The Board shall, at its first meeting, prepare a list of needed personnel and agencies, and shall from time to time review and update the list and add or delete personnel and agencies. (Ord. No. 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 109 Cooperation with others.

Section 109. - Cooperation with others. The Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board shall: A. Work closely with the Mayor and City Council, and with City staff and other boards, commissions, authorities and committees of the City of Tulsa; B. Coordinate efforts and communicate with public safety officials; emergency responders; and federal, state, regional, county and local public health and safety and law enforcement authorities; C. Stay apprised of, and share appropriate public safety information with, members of the public, civic organizations, news media, and neighborhood groups. (Ord. No. 21661)

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-A, § 110 Stormwater drainage and hazard mitigation funds.

Section 110. - Stormwater drainage and hazard mitigation funds. A. A special fund or funds, shall be maintained for the purpose of identifying and controlling all revenues and expenses attributable to stormwater drainage or hazard mitigation services. All loans, grants or funds received for the administration, operation, construction and improvement of stormwater drainage or hazard mitigation services shall be deposited into such fund or funds. Disbursements for costs of data collection, planning, maintaining, operating and improving drainage or hazard mitigation services and facilities shall be made from the appropriate fund or funds. B. A special stormwater management enterprise fund shall be established to receive all service charges for the use of the City's stormwater drainage system. C. A special hazard mitigation fund shall be established to receive all monies for hazard mitigation. (Ord. Nos. 17285, 21661)

Source: City of Tulsa, Revised Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/tulsa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11-ASTMAHAMIPR_CH1STMAHAMIPRFetched: 10/28/2026