City Working to Speed Up Permit Process for Various Housing Types; Architecture Firm(s) Sought for Pre-Approved Plans Program

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The City of Tulsa is working to speed up the permitting process for various types of housing as work continues to combat the ongoing housing shortage in Tulsa.

To make permitting processes faster, the City has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an architecture and design firm (or teams of such firms) to establish a Pre-Approved Plans Program to encourage and expedite the construction of context-sensitive infill housing of various types throughout Tulsa.

"We're very aware that the permitting process at City Hall can sometimes be a hindrance to certain developers wanting to move a project from idea to completion in a relatively quick amount of time," Mayor G.T. Bynum said. "I believe that being able to have several permit-ready housing plans that a developer can pick up and put into motion quickly will help us meet our housing goals."

The Pre-Approved Plans Program is expected to be available citywide, with a primary focus on traditional design. The RFP centers on the selection, preparation, and licensing/ownership of housing plans that fit the context of a wide range of housing types and neighborhoods in Tulsa, in addition to analysis of and recommendations to update codes, processes, and procedures related to housing development.

The City and selected respondent will determine the most appropriate model for licensing and owning the plans and administering the program. All RFP submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on September 25, 2024. A pre-proposal conference is set for Sept. 10 from 9-10 a.m. To see the full RFP, including contact information for the City, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/bids.

The Pre-Approved Plans Program is a recommended action (Goal 1, Action 5) as part of the Mayor/Council 3H Task Force Path to Home Recommendations released as part of the City's Path to Home Initiative. This program will allow for the publishing of permit-ready housing construction plans that have been reviewed for conformance with building codes while promoting residential design that fits neighborhoods context. This simple, inexpensive option reduces the permit process time for selected housing types and can contribute to more affordable housing. The total budget for the program is $250,000 provided by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

To learn more about Path to Home, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/PathToHome.

ABOUT PATH TO HOME:

The Path to Home Initiative is a central source for all programming as it relates to homelessness, housing, and mental health within the City of Tulsa. The initiative gives a comprehensive overview of all programming and policy work at the local government level focused on helping individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health, promoting citywide housing efforts, and supporting the work of dedicated service providers. To learn more about the Path to Home Initiative, visitwww.cityoftulsa.org/PathToHome