Code Compliance

City staff respond to customer complaints pertaining to housing standards for tenants, construction-related and property violations as well as other common property code violations.

• City Ordinances
  For detailed information about City’s ordinances, go online to Municode.
  
  
• Code Enforcement Division (Non-Structure-Related Compliance)
  A division of the Stillwater Police Department, the Code Enforcement Division issues citations for non-structure related property maintenance, which includes nuisance violations and high weeds and trash violations. Below is a list of common property code violations.
  
  
• Development Services (Structure-Related Compliance)
  Visit Property Maintenance and Housing Division for structure related property maintenance compliance. This includes inspection of unsecured vacant structures and structures in need of repair. Structures should be in compliance with Property Maintenance and Housing codes, Municipal code and the Land Development code.
  
  
• Report Ordinance Violations
  To report an ordinance violation in your neighborhood or for more information regarding property maintenance ordinances, call the Property Maintenance Action Line at (405) 742-8383 or use SNAP (Stillwater Needs Assistance Program).
  
  
• Tickets
  Violations of property maintenance ordinances may result in tickets of $240 per day until the violation is corrected. The ticket will be reduced to $25 if the violation is corrected before the court date. See City of Stillwater Municipal Court.
  
  
• To appeal a Staff Decision. Download Property Maintenance Appeal Application (.pdf).

Common Property Code Violations

• Nuisance Violations

• Wells, pools, cisterns and other bodies of water are breeding places for mosquitoes, so they must be maintained properly.
• Rank weeds, grass, carcasses or other such things are breeding places for flies, vermin and diseases.
• Damaged or decaying buildings/structures can become a public health and/or safety danger.
• Pits or holes can be a danger to public safety.
  
  

• Weeds and Trash Violations

• Accumulation or piles of trash or weeds are unsightly.
• Any weeds and vegetation in excess of 12-inches in height (grass, poisonous weeds, thistle, Johnson grass, etc.) must be mowed.
• Mowing includes the entire yard. This means to the street pavement and on the backside of fences.
• Any weeds that can catch on fire or can block the view of traffic must be mowed.
• Trash, leaves, debris, waste must be removed.
  
  

• Junk/Abandoned Vehicles

• Wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, and abandoned vehicles do not belong in yards or on streets.
• Vehicles must have current registration.
  
  

• Litter Violations

• Garbage, refuse and rubbish must be disposed of properly.
• Litter does not belong in streets or on sidewalks.
• Handbills and other flyers may not be left on vehicle windshields.
  
  

• Care of Premises Violations

• Appliances, furniture, building materials or rubbish do not belong outside on residential property.
• Outside storage of these items encourages vermin, is difficult to mow around and can create a fire hazard.
• Discarded materials (carpet, mattresses, furniture, etc.) may not be stored outside.
  
  

• General Property Maintenance

• Secure all structures and outside equipment.
• Structures (both the main ones and all accessory ones) are to be maintained and kept structurally sound and in good repair.
• Damage, marking, carving or placing graffiti on structures is unsightly and not neighborly.
• Pools, hot tubs and spas must be fenced off with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Keep exterior surfaces maintained and in good repair.
• Keep window screens free of tears and holes.
• Scrape and repaint chipping or peeling paint.
• Repair siding that is falling or unsecured.
• Repair porches and porch roofs, chimneys, doors, roofs, drains and downspouts.
  
  

• Blue Trash Carts

• Blue Cart lids must be closed completely; overfilled carts will not be emptied.
• Blue Carts may be rolled to the street for pick-up the night before.
• Remove Blue carts from curbside once garbage has been collected.

• Temporary Signs
  • Examples include but are not limited to campaign signs, real estate signs, garage sale signs, balloons, parking bumpers, and any other similar freestanding sign or advertising device.
  • Temporary signs may not to be placed on public property, such as city parks or any public structures. This includes traffic signs, utility poles and bus shelters.
  • Oklahoma law does not allow for temporary signs along state highways' rights of way. This includes State Highway 51 (6th Avenue) and U.S. Highway 177 (Perkins Road), which run through Stillwater city limits. Rights of way includes the sidewalk and all the space between the sidewalk and the curb. Signs placed along state highways will be removed by City of Stillwater staff and dropped off at the City of Stillwater Convenience Collection Center, 807 S. Perkins.
  • People may not place temporary signs on private property without the property owners' permission. If someone does so without permission, the property owner may remove it.
  • Property owners may place temporary signs on the rights of way of his or her private property, unless it faces State Highway 51 or U.S. Highway 177.
  • Download 'Temporary Signs FAQ' (.pdf)