4 Legal Oklahoma Rental Property Upgrades That Boost Value & Stay Compliant

If you own rental property in Oklahoma, there are all sorts of need-to-know legalities that can have you tangled up in endless paperwork and permits if you’re unsure of the laws around rental properties. For example, Did you know that Oklahoma City strictly enforces a maximum 50% lot coverage limit for all buildings and paving? 

To save you the headache, we’ve picked the Oklahoma rental property you can make that work within the system. Yes, you need to understand the difference between what the state allows and what your local zoning office cares about, but knowing this stuff now, before you begin, will save you stress down the road. RentRedi’s property management platform helps Oklahoma landlords stay organized with upgrades, compliance, and maintenance—all in one place.

Permit vs. zoning

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that if something doesn’t need a building permit, you’re totally in the clear. Building permits are about safety, and zoning regulations control how you use your land, where you can put stuff, and how much of your lot you can cover with buildings and concrete.

You might be fine to build a shed without a permit, but your city’s zoning code still gets to decide where that shed can go. Miss that second part, and you could end up with a violation notice even though you technically followed the building code.

Upgrade #1: Small storage sheds (Under 200 square feet)

This is the most significant value-add you can do without a building permit. According to Oklahoma’s International Residential Code (IRC), you can build a one-story detached accessory structure (storage shed, small garage, or carport) without getting a building permit as long as it stays under 200 square feet. That’s roughly a 10×20-foot shed.

Just because you don’t need a building permit, however, this doesn’t mean you can plop that shed anywhere you want. There are two main things to consider: setbacks and lot coverage.

Setbacks are the required distances from your property lines. Every city has rules about how close you can build to the front, side, and rear boundaries of your lot. Put your shed too close to the neighbor’s fence, and you’ll get a zoning violation, even if the shed itself is perfectly legal.

Then there’s a lot of coverage, which is basically how much of your property is covered by buildings and paved surfaces. We have 50% of your lot with structures and paving rules. So if you’ve already got a decent-sized house and an oversized driveway, adding even a small 200-square-foot shed might push you over that limit. And if that happens, you’re looking at a violation and potentially having to tear down what you just built.

Upgrade #2: Cosmetic improvements

The IRC exempts a whole bunch of aesthetic improvements: painting, wallpapering, new tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops, all the stuff that makes a rental look fresh and modern.

For the exterior, you can also add window awnings without a permit, as long as they’re attached only to the exterior wall, don’t stick out more than 54 inches, and don’t require extra structural support.

Even though these improvements don’t need building permits, the zoning code still protects the historic character of these neighborhoods. If you want to change your exterior paint color, materials, or add awnings visible from the street, you might need approval from the local preservation commission.

Upgrade #3: Driveways and walkways

Installing or repairing sidewalks and driveways is exempt from building permits, which makes this an easy win for improving accessibility and functionality. Better parking and walkways are huge selling points for tenants. An all-in-one landlord software helps you track these upgrades and stay organized.

But once again, zoning is critical here. Every square foot of driveway or sidewalk you add counts toward your property’s impervious surface limit. Impervious surfaces are anything that prevents water from soaking into the ground, and cities care about this because it affects drainage and stormwater runoff. Too much paved surface can contribute to flooding and water quality problems.

Before you extend that driveway or add a new concrete walkway, do the math on your existing coverage. If you’re already close to that 50% limit in Oklahoma City (or whatever your local limit is), adding more concrete could put you over the edge. If this is an issue, consider permeable alternatives. Gravel driveways, porous pavers, or even structural turf systems let water drain through while still providing a solid surface. Tulsa’s zoning code actually encourages these options because they reduce stormwater problems.

Upgrade #4: Ground-level decks

A nice deck can seriously upgrade your rental’s appeal, and the IRC exempts you if you follow three specific rules:

1. Keep it under 200 square feet
2. The deck can’t be more than 30 inches above the ground at any point
3. The deck has to be detached from the house and can’t serve as the landing for the required exit door

That last rule is crucial. If you build your deck right up against the back door and it becomes the functional exit from the house, you’ve just voided your exemption. The safe approach is to build your deck nearby, but not directly connected to the main exit. Think of it as a floating patio rather than an extension of the house.

Want some more handy tips?

These four upgrades add value to your rental properties without the time and cost of full permits, and RentRedi helps you with smart property management so you get paid on time, find great tenants, and grow your rental business. Learn more about streamlining your process today!