Building and Construction Services

The Building and Construction Services Division provides permitting services for construction activity and development projects within the City of Bartlesville. The division reviews plans, issues permits and provides inspection services for all residential and commercial construction projects.

Before beginning any work, it is always best to check with the Building Services Division to see if a permit is required for the project you have in mind. Please call 918.338.4244.

Permits are required for the following construction work, unless otherwise exempted:

Building Permits

A building permit is required for any structural construction, alteration, demolition, remodel or reconstruction. This includes new construction for residential, commercial, or industrial, including room additions, interior remodeling which involves structural modifications, re-roofing and roofing projects which involve modifications to the roof structure or framework, garages, carports, storage sheds, roofed patios, or any other accessory building. Building permits are also required for wireless communication towers, fences over seven feet in height, and walls over four feet.

Activities exempt from a building permit include painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; replacement of existing doors and windows of the same size and same operation.

Mobile Home/Manufactured Home Permits

A building permit is required for the placement of a mobile home or manufactured home. A Special Zoning Permit may also be required if the proposed location is outside the RA or RT Zoning Districts.

Zoning Clearance Permits

Zoning Clearance Permits are required for one-story residential accessory structures (i.e. shed, playhouse) that are 200 square feet or less, commercial accessory structures that are 120 square feet or less, fences that are seven feet and under, and walls that are four feet and under. Zoning permits are also required for uncovered patios and decks, gravel drives and gravel parking areas, RV/boat/trailer storage, PODS (portable on-demand storage units), and wireless communication towers under 50 feet.

Tent Permits

A building permit is required for the erection of any temporary tent or membrane structure which has an area in excess of 400 square feet, unless said tent is open on all sides, in which case a permit is not required unless it exceeds 700 square feet in area.

Swimming Pool Permits

A pool permit is required for the installation of a swimming pool or hot tub that is 24 inches or greater in depth.

Sign Permits

A sign permit is required for the installation or modification of a sign, either permanent or temporary. The sign regulations can be found at this link:  Sign Regulations.

Electrical Permits

An electrical permit is required for the installation, alteration or replacement of any electrical wiring, electrical systems or electrical devices, including but not limited to the installation or alteration of any wires or conductors for the transmission of electricity, as well as the installation or alteration of any electric fixtures, apparatus or appliance, whether used for light, heat or power purposes. An electrical permit is also required for solar system installation and generator installation.

Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for the installation, alteration or replacement of any mechanical system, including but not limited to ventilation and exhaust systems, duct systems, combustion air, chimneys and vents, certain appliances, fireplaces and solid fuel-burning equipment, boilers, water heaters and pressure vessels, refrigeration systems, hydronic piping, and fuel-gas piping and storage.

Plumbing Permits

A plumbing permit is required for the installation of any plumbing work, except repairs involving only the working parts of a faucet or valve, the clearance of a stoppage, repairing leaks, or replacement of defective faucets or valves provided no changes are made in the piping to the fixtures. A plumbing permit is also required with generator installation. With the installation of irrigation systems, a plumbing permit is only required for the backflow preventer.

Right-of-Way Permits (including driveways and sidewalks)

A right-of-way permit is required for any work done within the public right-of-way, including driveways and sidewalks.

Fire Alarm/Fire Suppression Permits

Fire permits are required for the installation of fire alarm systems and fire suppression systems.

Floodplain Permits

Be aware that some properties may be located in floodplains or floodways. Development activity may be regulated or prohibited, and a floodplain development permit may be required.

Construction codes adopted by the City of Bartlesville

Oklahoma State Law identifies the minimum building codes for the State of Oklahoma.  As such, the City of Bartlesville is required by State Law to enforce these codes as the minimum construction code within the Bartlesville city limits.

The following Codes, adopted by the Oklahoma State Legislature including modifications, are the minimum construction codes for the City of Bartlesville concerning both residential and commercial construction.

  • International Building Code (IBC) 2018
  • International Residential Code (IRC) 2018
  • International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2018
  • International Fire Code (IFC) 2018
  • International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) 2018
  • International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2018
  • International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2018
  • International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) 2018
  • National Electrical Code (NEC) 2020
  • Federal ADA Requirements
All I-codes are available for review (without the OUBCC modifications) by the International Code Council here.
The NEC is published by a different model code provider. View their free, public online version here (without OUBCC modifications). Please note that to utilize the free online version of the NEC, the National Fire Protection Association will require you to set up an account with them.
The OUBCC modifications to each code are available here.
View digital codes online here.  View codes and modifications as adopted by the State of Oklahoma in the Oklahoma Administrative Codes online here.