REGULATION OF PRIVATELY OPERATED DOMESTIC SEWAGE LAGOONS

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, ch. 10

in effect

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1000 Scope.

Section 1000. - Scope. This chapter shall include all general requirements and prohibitions in respect to the construction, use, operation and maintenance of all privately operated domestic sewage lagoons.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1001 Definitions.

Section 1001. - Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein: A. Underground wastewater disposal systems shall be the same as "septic tank system," defined in Subsection 900.B of this title, as all or any portion of any structure or system receiving waste products by pipe from any residence business or industrial plant, other than those connected directly to an approved sanitary sewer. B. Oklahoma State Department of Health (O.S.D.H.) Standards shall mean those standards for Water Pollution Control Facilities and for Public Water Supply Facilities adopted by the State Board of Health under authority of the statutes of the state of Oklahoma as they are now written and may be hereafter amended. C. City shall mean the City of Tulsa, a municipal corporation. D. Domestic sewage shall mean water-carried wastes normally discharging into the sanitary sewers of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office buildings, factories and institutions, free from storm surface water and industrial wastes. E. Sanitary sewer shall mean a sewer that conveys sewage or wastewater, and into which storm, surface and ground waters or unpolluted industrial wastes are not admitted intentionally. F. Domestic sewage lagoon shall mean a total retention domestic sewage treatment pond.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1002 Restrictions on privately operated domestic sewage lagoons.

Section 1002. - Restrictions on privately operated domestic sewage lagoons. Privately operated domestic sewage lagoons shall not be permitted, except those in operation prior to the effective date of these provisions or as otherwise provided herein.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1003 Variances.

Section 1003. - Variances. Variance may be granted by the City permitting the use of a privately operated domestic sewage lagoon to replace a failed existing septic tank system, provided that the existing septic tank system is located on a tract of land two and one-half (2.5) acres or larger.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1004 Privately operated domestic sewage lagoons.

Section 1004. - Privately operated domestic sewage lagoons. A privately operated domestic sewage lagoon shall be allowed only under the following conditions: A. Documentation shall be provided showing that the property failed to pass percolation tests required for a septic tank system and does not have a publicly operated sanitary sewer system within one thousand (1,000) feet; B. The City shall determine that the installation of a domestic sewage lagoon is necessary for the protection of the health and welfare of the public and is in compliance with the most recent O.S.D.H. Standards; C. The domestic sewage lagoon shall be located entirely on the property to be served, and the center line of the closest lagoon dike must be located a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the adjoining property lines and six hundred (600) feet from the closest house on adjacent property; D. A septic tank, or some other form of pretreatment to remove floating and settleable solids shall be installed through which domestic sewage is discharged into the lagoon; E. The lagoon shall be surrounded by a chain link fence at least six (6) feet high with climb guard, or a fence of equivalent design to prevent entry by unauthorized personnel; an access gate of sufficient width to accommodate mowing equipment shall be provided; and all access gates shall be secured with locks; F. Warning signs shall be posted on the fence on each side of the lagoon; the sign shall state, "Warning! Sanitary SEWAGE Lagoon. KEEP OUT!" in letters at least one (1) inch tall; G. The lagoon shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the O.S.D.H. Standards; and H. If the owner fails to maintain such lagoon, the City shall be empowered to provide the necessary maintenance and to recover the costs thereof against the owner or operator.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1005 Permit required.

Section 1005. - Permit required. Before any person shall construct, repair or install any privately-operated sewage lagoon within the corporate limits of the City of Tulsa, he shall obtain a permit from the City; the refusal, failure or neglect to obtain such a permit before commencing such construction, repair or installation shall be unlawful, and each day thereafter in which such work shall be done shall be unlawful and a separate offense.

Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 17, § 1006 Permit and inspection fee.

Section 1006. - Permit and inspection fee. An inspection fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) shall be paid for the issuance of each permit to build, repair or install a privately operated domestic sewage lagoon. Upon the payment of the inspection fee, it shall be the duty of the City to inspect the plans of the proposed construction, the location and actual construction. Upon the completion of the work, the City shall approve the sewage lagoon before any connection or use of the sewage lagoon is made. (Ord. No. 16324)

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_TIT17HERE_CH10REPROPDOSELAFetched: 10/28/2026