Over the past few years, central Oklahoma is booming. OKC is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and that brings a lot of excitement but also some big challenges. One of the most pressing? We simply don’t have enough housing to meet the needs of our growing population.
A 2021 study estimated the City needs about 44,000 more housing units just to catch up. That includes affordable rentals, smaller “starter” homes, and many kinds of middle-sized options. These include duplexes, townhomes, and backyard cottages that we call the “missing middle.” Unfortunately, most of Oklahoma City’s residential land (about 96%) is zoned only for single-family homes, making it difficult to add this much-needed variety.
To address this, the City Council has been working hard to update local rules and cut red tape. One big change under consideration is a new ordinance that would allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs). If passed, the new ordinance would let homeowners add these units “by right,” meaning they wouldn’t have to jump through extra hoops just to build a small additional dwelling unit on their property.
Another recent update tackled the rise of short-term rentals like Airbnb. New city rules limit how often homeowners can rent out their place without a permit, and they cap the number of short-term rentals allowed on any given block. This was meant to protect the availability of long-term housing for residents and keep neighborhoods balanced.
However, zoning isn’t just about housing, as it also affects commercial and industrial growth. Oklahoma City recently purchased over 1,400 acres near the airport to create a major industrial park aimed at attracting new employers. Meanwhile, the downtown area is seeing more mixed-use projects that combine offices, research labs, and community spaces, such as the upcoming Innovation Hall.
Of course, challenges remain. Neighborhood resistance (sometimes called “NIMBYism”) can slow down projects, and developers often face challenging approval timelines, especially when rezoning is needed. Still, both city leaders and state officials are pushing to streamline approvals, offer pre-approved building plans, and provide incentives to make new development easier and faster.
In short, central Oklahoma’s zoning landscape is changing. As demand for housing and commercial space rises, cities are working to modernize their rules and cut unnecessary barriers. The coming years will be critical in shaping cities that can meet the needs of both today’s residents and tomorrow’s. Rieger Sadler Joyce is committed to being your partner through navigating land use approvals and development throughout all of central Oklahoma.
WRITTEN BY: Matthew A. Welborn, Attorney at Law
