IN GENERAL

Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 48, art. I

in effect

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-1 Definition.

§ 48-1. - Definition. As used in this chapter the term "earth" shall include soil, dirt, sand, clay, gravel and rock. (Code 1970, § 13-1; Code 1980, § 48-1; Ord. No. 21389, § 1, 12-21-99)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-2 Limitations on excavations.

§ 48-2. - Limitations on excavations. (a) All excavations made under a permit issued under this chapter shall be made with a gradient of not less than 1 to 2. (b) No excavation, stockpiling of material or accessory or incidental use of the mining operation shall be permitted within 75 feet of any property line, street right-of-way line, or drainage or utility easement. (c) Any excavation operations issued permits prior to the effective date of this section shall have 90 days within which to comply with these regulations. (Code 1970, § 13-9; Code 1980, § 48-2; Ord. No. 19179, § 1, 4-11-89)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-3 Covering of construction in or under public property.

§ 48-3. - Covering of construction in or under public property. The covering for any construction in or under any public ground shall be constructed and maintained in a manner satisfactory to the Public Works Director. Such covering shall be level with the surface of such public ground. No hinges or fastenings shall be or remain on the upper side thereof. (Code 1970, § 13-12; Code 1980, § 48-3)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-4 Excavations for vaults, cellars, etc., in or under public property.

§ 48-4. - Excavations for vaults, cellars, etc., in or under public property. Cuts and excavations for any cellar, coal hole, vault, tank, basement or other construction in and below the surface of any street, alley, sidewalk or other public grounds shall be made only with special authority granted by the City Council, and subject to the fees and regulations prescribed by this Code. (Code 1970, § 13-10; Code 1980, § 48-4)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-5 Closing and guarding opening of vaults, cellars, etc., in or adjoining public property.

§ 48-5. - Closing and guarding opening of vaults, cellars, etc., in or adjoining public property. (a) No person shall leave open or cause to be left open any vault, tank, area, coal hole, basement, cellar or opening in or adjoining any public ground, whether paved or unpaved. No person shall keep or leave open any cellar door, grating, or stairway in front of or alongside any house, building, lot or premises leading down into any vault, cellar, basement or opening of any kind. No person shall permit any cellar door or grating of any kind in or upon any sidewalk or street to remain open except during use. While being used the openings shall be properly guarded and protected. (b) All of such stairways shall be guarded with suitable and secure iron fences and gates not less than three feet in height. The grating or coverings of any openings on public grounds shall be durable gratings or coverings; gratings or coverings shall not be made of wood. (c) Such stairways, fences, gates, gratings or coverings of vaults, tanks, areas, coal holes or other openings shall be kept and maintained in a good and perfect state of repair at all times and shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with and under the direction of the Public Works Director. (Code 1970, §§ 13-13, 21-45; Code 1980, § 48-5)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-6 Fences for excavations near or under sidewalks.

§ 48-6. - Fences for excavations near or under sidewalks. (a) Every person who has charge of an excavation or construction area adjoining or under any sidewalk of this City shall provide a fence securely guarding said area during the excavation or construction period. (b) Said fence shall have no less than three strings of good [wood] six-inch boards. The top of the highest board shall be no less than four feet from the surface of the ground. (c) Such boards shall be nailed to posts set firmly in the ground or on the pavement and set not more than six feet apart. (Code 1970, § 13-11; Code 1980, § 48-6)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-7 Abatement of excavations—Generally.

§ 48-7. - Abatement of excavations—Generally. The City Council may declare any excavation made under this chapter a nuisance and order the same abated by filling the space made by such excavation to a level of the street grade of the streets abutting thereon. (Code 1970, § 13-6; Code 1980, § 48-7)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-8 Same—Notice.

§ 48-8. - Same—Notice. If the City Council declares an excavation a nuisance pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, then, after notification by the Council to the City Clerk, the City Clerk shall give notice to abate the nuisance to the owner, the permit applicant and the surety company qualifying on the bond. Notice shall be sent by registered mail to said persons at the addresses set forth on the application. Notice may be served personally on said persons. (Code 1970, § 13-7; Code 1980, § 48-8)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-9 Same—Time limits and abatement by City.

§ 48-9. - Same—Time limits and abatement by City. (a) An owner of lands shall commence operation to abate the nuisance within 30 days after receiving a notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and in the manner set forth therein. (b) If the owner does not conform to the requirements of Subsection (a) above, then the City may proceed to abate said nuisance. The owner, the permit applicant and the surety company shall be liable for the costs thereof. (Code 1970, § 13-8; Code 1980, § 48-9)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 48-10 Mechanized earth removal or excavation operations prohibited within 1,000 feet of any residential dwelling between certain hours; exceptions.

§ 48-10. - Mechanized earth removal or excavation operations prohibited within 1,000 feet of any residential dwelling between certain hours; exceptions. (a) No person shall conduct any mechanized earth removal or excavation operations within 1,000 feet of any residential dwelling between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. each day. (b) The prohibition stated in Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the following operations: (1) any mechanized earth removal or excavation operation certified by the City Engineer as necessary to protect or promote the public health, safety or welfare; or (2) any mechanized earth removal or excavation operation conducted by a Federal, State, county or municipal agency or department, or by a public utility, that is necessary to protect or promote the public health, safety or welfare; or (3) any mechanized earth removal or excavation operation necessary to address or avert any public emergency or a potential public emergency. (Ord. No. 21389, § 2, 12-21-99)

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_CH48SODIAC_ARTIINGEFetched: 10/28/2026