Mayor Nichols’ recent executive order is a significant step toward making it easier to build housing in Tulsa, particularly multi-family and infill projects. By streamlining approvals, reducing costs, and encouraging rehabilitation, the initiative aims to create new opportunities for developers, architects, and the broader community.
Making Multi-Family Housing More Feasible
Multi-family projects are crucial in addressing the city’s housing affordability challenges. However, bureaucratic delays and regulatory hurdles often hinder their progress. To tackle these issues head-on, the newly established Housing Acceleration Team will focus on improving permitting, inspections, and zoning processes. The key components of this effort include:
Faster permit review and approval, reducing costly delays.
Streamlined inspection processes, keeping projects on track.
Zoning reforms that could allow for more flexible multi-family developments in targeted areas.
With the city’s goal of increasing affordable housing by 6,000 units by 2028, developers can expect a more predictable and efficient pathway to project completion. This clarity and speed are expected to spur greater investments in multi-housing, especially in areas that faced stagnant development.
A Boost for Tulsa Infill Development
Infill development is crucial for revitalizing Tulsa’s urban core and curbing suburban sprawl. However, transforming vacant or underutilized properties into vibrant, functional spaces has historically been a challenge due to regulatory and financial obstacles. The executive order aims to address these issues through the Community Builder Program, which includes:
Financial incentives, such as reduced permitting fees and expedited approvals for interior remodels.
Dedicated support for developers navigating compliance and code enforcement challenges.
Prioritization of the transformation of blighted properties into livable housing.
For architects and developers working on smaller-scale urban projects, these changes should mitigate the risks associated with infill development,making it a more feasible and attractive option. This initiative aligns with Tulsa’s broader efforts to create a more walkable, dense, and economically vibrant city.
More Transparency, Better Planning
A critical part of the plan is the Housing Permitting Tracker, a public platform that will allow developers, architects, and residents to monitor building permits and occupancy certificates in real time. This tool will:
Provide developers with clearer insights into market trends and opportunities.
Hold the city accountable to its housing goals.
Improve efficiency by making the approval process more transparent and accessible.
Additionally, the city will allocate $75 million from Improve Our Tulsa 3 (IOT3) Housing Funds to accelerate housing projects. Officials plan to gather feedback through a Request for Information (RFI) to ensure these funds are used effectively, with the possibility of issuing bonds to make resources available sooner.
What’s Next?
If successfully implemented, these changes could transform how housing is developed in Tulsa—making the process faster, more affordable, and more predictable. For architects, developers, and community builders, this means fewer roadblocks and more opportunities to create housing that truly meets Tulsa’s needs.
At method.group, we’re eager to contribute to this exciting new chapter in Tulsa’s growth. With smart policy changes and thoughtful design, we can help build a city that is more inclusive, livable, and prepared for the future.