More Homes, Less Hassle: Tulsa's New Approach
Tulsa, the second-most populous city in Oklahoma, is joining a growing list of cities that have integrated preapproved plans into their housing toolkits. “Pre-approved plans provide an easy entry point and efficient path for new housing development,” District 8 City Councilor Phil Lakin said. “When property owners utilize pre-approved plans it will streamline the permitting process for new housing and reduce costs for those seeking to build new units.”
Cities that have embraced preapproved plans include Spokane (WA), Roanoke (VA), South Bend (IN), Portland (OR), Macon (GA), Bryan (TX), and Claremore and Tulsa (OK).
Preapproved plans cut through the red tape that often hinders small-scale development, giving property owners, local builders and first-time developers a clear, predictable path for bringing new homes to the market. Since these plans already meet local design standards and building codes, they also ease the burden on municipal staff — freeing them up to focus on bigger-picture challenges rather than getting bogged down in plan-by-plan approvals.
Tulsa’s move is part of the city’s broader strategy to address both homelessness and a chronic housing shortage, aligning with recommendations from the Path to Home Initiative, a press release stated. As part of this initiative, city leaders worked with national experts, including Smart Growth America, to identify key improvements it could make to incentives, zoning and permitting — steps that will make small-scale, incremental development more feasible.
Ultimately, Tulsa chose Flintlock LTD, Co., a leader in incremental development, to develop permit-ready construction plans. “This program will make housing development in Tulsa much faster and more predictable for those wanting to build in Tulsa,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I’m confident Flintlock LTD, Co. will help us create commonsense tools that increase our housing stock and combat the shortage we are currently seeing.”
Tulsa’s permit-ready plans are expected to be available to the public by late 2025.
Integrating preapproved plans is just one way that cities are diversifying their housing stock while providing their people with much-needed shelter. If your city wants to maintain the vernacular of its architecture and the feel of its streets while addressing its housing shortage, preapproved plans are worth integrating into the municipal toolkit.
Speaking of toolkits, Strong Towns is releasing a Housing Toolkit that includes:
Recommendations from housing experts across the country on bringing more housing to your community.
Real-life examples of places that implemented those recommendations.
Steps your city leaders can take today to make your place housing ready.
We'll release the toolkit soon! Click here to get a sneak peek and to be notified once the toolkit is released.
