Frequently Asked Questions

Call the Fire Department at (918) 246-2548. It can usually be available for pickup, or emailed to you.

No burning is allowed in the city or the county, but there are limited exceptions. Find out more

Call the Fire Department at (918) 246-2548.

Two reasons. First, automobile accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous materials. Second, firefighters are trained Emergency Medical Technicians. Therefore they can assist our ambulance provider with patient care or assist in extricating (removing) trapped occupants of the vehicle.

As mentioned in the statement prior, firefighters are trained as EMT's. Our primary mission is to provide supplementary support to our local ambulance service provider. With additional fire stations and personnel on duty, we can often arrive prior to the rescue squad and begin life saving techniques such as CPR and/or use defibrillators. The Sand Springs area utilizes Mercy Regional EMS for emergency ambulance care.

See Firefighter Recruitment page on the Fire Department's website or call the City's Human Resources Department at (918) 246-2507.

Dogs and cats that have been kept at the animal shelter more than three days are eligible for adoption. Adults 18 years of age or older can adopt animals by presenting a valid driver’s license or government issued identification. The adoption fee for cats is $70 and the fee for dogs is $85, this includes a city license and microchip. This fee covers the cost of spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a general health examination. The City arranges for these services with a veterinary provider. Animals for adoption can be viewed at the shelter during regular staffing hours. Adoptable animals are also posted on social media.

The Sand Springs Animal Welfare Facility is located at 8620 W. 21st Street (a half mile east of the intersection or Morrow Road and Adams Road on 21st Street). The facility is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unless emergency or other circumstances occur, an officer is available during those times for citizen visits and adoptions. If no officer is at the facility during regular staffing hours, call the police department’s non-emergency number, 918-245-8777. An officer will come to the shelter as soon as one is available.  You can also contact us on our Facebook Page.  (3) Sand Springs Animal Welfare | Facebook

All pets over 6 mos. of age must be spayed/neutered unless a hobbyist permit is obtained. When outdoors, dogs must be kept in a fenced and gated yard – with the fence and gate height sufficient to contain the dog. Dogs can also be kept in an open yard on a leash not to exceed eight feet to allow for exercise and play. Under no circumstance may a leash extend beyond a property line. Dogs must be kept on a leash while being walked. Although there is no leash or containment requirement for cats, owners are responsible to assure that their cats do not become a nuisance to neighbors.

Title-6-Animals (sandspringsok.org)

Note:  The Sand Springs Municipal Court has previously ruled that Invisible or Electric fencing may be adequate for the requirement of keeping dogs contained.  If animals are not sufficiently contained by the Invisible or Electronic fence and an animal leaves the premises, the owner may still be found in violation of City Ordinance 6.08.070 Dogs to be Kept Confined in Yard, Pen or on Leash or 6.08.080 Nuisance.

City ordinance requires that dogs and cats be licensed. The license fee is $10 and good as long as the animal resides in the city limits. A license tag is issued that can be affixed to the animal's collar. This can assist in locating the animal should it stray or become lost. Licenses can be procured at the Animal Control Facility located at 8620 W 21st St.

Please use these resources to find your pet a new home.

Home - Home to Home Animal Adoption

Rehoming Your Pet – Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com (adoptapet.com)

PawBoost Lost and Found Pets - Find and Report Lost Pets Nationwide

Like all cities and counties in Oklahoma with building permit and inspection processes, Sand Springs has adopted the 2018 International Codes Council code series for building construction and trade work, and 2020 National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Codes Commission. A code set is available for public viewing in the Neighborhood Services office during normal business hours. To view the OUBCC amendments, go to www.ok.gov/oubcc/. The only local amendment requires installation of backwater valves on all building drain sewer connections.

You will need to bring proof of current/valid Insurance, current vehicle registration/title and state issued identification to the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center located at 602 W. Morrow Road.   You may speak with a Dispatcher or Records Clerk to obtain a release for your vehicle. Once you have the release bring it to the responsible towing service, pay any storage costs and pick up your vehicle.

Yes. Sand Springs Police Department maintains a municipal jail located in the Billie A. Hall Public safety Center located at 602 W. Morrow Road.  Inmates are housed here for Municipal Charges or held while awaiting transfer to a County Facility.

For fingerprints and background checking services you must pre-enroll online at WWW.L1enrollment.com or call 1-877-219-0197. the L1 organization will set up and send you appointment information. This service is not for self defense act permits. If you need fingerprints for this you will need to contact the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office

Yes, please contact the Sand Springs Police Departments Property Officer at 918-246-2500 EXT. 2542 to see if your item was found.

If you think you may have a warrant in the City of Sand Springs contact the Municipal Court during the time listed below:

Monday-Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM at (918) 246-2612.

Outside of normal business hours you can contact the Sand Spring Police Department at:

Sand Springs Police Non-Emergency number at (918) 245-8777.

*** Please note that the court only has access to Sand Springs Municipal Court records and cannot search for County or State Warrants. ***

All questions regarding your driver’s license should be directed to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. (918) 632-7700 or (405) 425-2098

You may call the Municipal Court Clerk Office at (918) 246-2612, or email us.

See No Insurance Tickets.

A plea of guilty is an admission that you committed the alleged violation. The result of this plea is a conviction.

A plea of no contest, or nolo contendere, is not an admission of guilt but means you do not wish to contest the charges. A no contest plea still results in a conviction, but, in some cases, it cannot be used against you in the future.

The court is required to report convictions for traffic violations to DPS. You can obtain a copy of your driving record at any Tag Agency.

Each insurance provider is different. Contact your insurance company or agent for information about how traffic violations affect your coverage or premiums.

The Sand Springs court does not require that you have an attorney. However, it is your right to obtain legal counsel.

Cash bonds are only refunded if your case is dismissed or you are found not guilty of the charges. The money put up as a cash bond will be applied to any fines, fees, or court costs assessed. If the fines assessed are less than the bond amount the difference will be refunded to whoever posted the bond.

If you fail to appear for court your cash bond will be forfeited and a warrant could be issued for your arrest.

All permanent residents of your household are covered, regardless of their age or whether they are a blood relative of the utility account holder. The person just has to reside in your household. Someone simply in town visiting is not covered. A good test is to see whether the person receives bills and mail at your address. Please make sure all permanent residents in your home over the age of 18, are listed on your utility account. 

Starting January 15, 2025, all Sand Springs water customers are included in the Sand Springs EMS program, which means you have no out-of-pocket costs for emergency ambulance transports. Whatever insurance / Medicare pays is counted as payment in full.

If insurance / Medicare always paid 100% of ambulance claims, you would be correct, but typically insurance companies and Medicare deny about 30% of all ambulance claims. If this happened to you, without the Mercy Care program, then you would be personally responsible for paying the full charges - for example, an average of $1,500 per call. Even when insurance / Medicare approve claims, many people still have a financial burden; for example, a $50 to $250 deductible, a 20% copayment (like with Medicare), or the difference between the billed charge and how much insurance will cover. By having this program for our residents, there are no out-of-pocket costs for Mercy emergency ambulance transports. Whatever insurance / Medicare pays is counted as payment in full. 

Starting January 15, 2025, all Sand Springs water customers are included in the Sand Springs EMS program, which means you have no out-of-pocket costs for emergency ambulance transports. Whatever insurance / Medicare pays is counted as payment in full.

Even when insurance / Medicare approve claims, many people still have a financial burden; for example, a $50 to $250 deductible, a 20% copayment (like with Medicare), or the difference between the billed charge and how much insurance will cover. By having this program for our residents, there are no out-of-pocket costs for Mercy emergency ambulance transports. Whatever insurance / Medicare pays is counted as payment in full. 

An emergency transport occurs any time an ambulance transports you to a hospital emergency room for urgent, unscheduled treatment of an unforeseen medical condition.

A non-emergency transport is a medical transfer that does not have a hospital emergency room as the final destination. For example, ambulance providers often transports individuals to nursing homes just after hospital discharge.

Non-emergency transports are not covered by the Mercy Care program, but may be fully covered if your insurance or other third-party coverage provides benefits for the service. Please check with your insurance provider for coverage details.  

Yes. The Mercy Care program does not provide benefits for non-emergency transports such as to and from doctors' offices, dentists' offices, physical therapy centers, and other facilities. Transports outside of Mercy’s service area are also not included. Please check with your insurance provider for coverage details for non-emergency transports.  

If you live in the Sand Springs water service area but you are on a personal well and do not have Sand Springs water service with the city, please contact Mercy Regional EMS directly for ambulance service membership options. Phone: 918-609-5800. 

The City reads your meter electronically through a component that is attached to your meter, called an endpoint. This device tracks historical water consumption that flows through the meter on an hourly basis. Once a month, city staff drives by and pulls this information electronically and downloads it into the billing system.

Water is billed at 1,000 gallon increments. If you are consistent in water usage, it is possible your bill will be the same for up to several months at a time. For example, if you used 3,200 gallons one month, you will only be billed for 3,000 gallons. Your meter tracks ongoing usage similar to an odometer on your vehicle. So if you average 3,200 gallons each month, after 5 months, your reading will then pick up the additional accumulated 1,000 gallons and your billed consumption will be 4,000 gallons for that fifth month.

Since sewer waste cannot be metered like water is, sewer volume billed to residents is calculated based on the customer’s average water usage during the most recent winter months of December, January, and February. This is based on the assumption that during winter months, the majority of your water usage goes down the sewer drain and not absorbed into the ground like it does during summer months when lawn watering is most likely to take place. Your sewer volume is calculated in March each year and remains the same each month until the following March.

Since your sewer bill is based on your average water consumption during the winter months, a leak during those 3 months could cause your sewer bill to go up for the following year. If this happens, you may contact our Utility Customer Service department and request a re-calculation of your sewer bill once your leak has been fixed and water usage goes back to normal. We will be more than happy to adjust it for you.

The 2 most common reasons for a high water bill are the following: 

1. Consumer used more water 

Water consumption typically increases drastically during the summer months due to lawn watering, kids being out of school, and filling a pool. An average size 21-foot round pool with a depth of 48 inches can hold 13,500 gallons of water. This can increase your water bill by over $80. Additionally, water irrigation systems can use a lot of water. For instance, each turf zone can use an average of 12 gallons per minute. So if you use 4 zones for only 30 minutes per day, you will consume 1,440 gallons of water a day. Even if you only water your lawn twice a week, you will consume 11,520 gallons of water a month at an estimate cost of over $70. For more information on additional water consumption for typical uses, as well as ways you can conserve water, click here.

2. Water leak 

Unfortunately, water leaks happen often and can result in a high water bill. Some leaks are hard to detect and the first clue of a leak is typically a high water bill. A toilet leak, depending on the severity, can waste anywhere from 30 gallons a day up to as much as 4,000 gallons a day.

Please go to “How to Read Your Water Bill” document for detailed information on the components that make up your water bill.

Your bill is solely based on the amount of water you use, regardless of the size of your home. Whether you have one bathroom or four, unless the size of your family changes, you will still likely use a bathroom just as often, and you will likely have similar appliances that use water.

Your water consumption is dependent upon how often you use your water, how well you conserve water (how often and how long are your showers or baths, how often you wash clothes and dishes, etc.), whether you water your lawn or not, and how efficient your appliances and toilets are. If you want information on how much water a typical household of your size uses and tips on reducing your water consumption, click here.

Leaks do not always show up in your yard. Leaks coming from inside your house will more than likely go down the sewer drain and not in your yard. Some leaks located outside your house may not always show up as a puddle. There are other signs you can look for to determine if you have a leak in your service line. Click here to see tips to help you find a leak.

Beginning in March of each year, your water bill will be updated to include the new sewer consumption that you will be charged over the next 12 months. If you notice a change in your monthly sewer charge, it is due to a change in your normal water consumption during the winter months of December, January, and February. It is important to understand this process because you can control the amount of sewer you are billed for each year. 

Sewer is billed based on your water consumption during the winter months because that is the period when most of the water used goes directly into the sanitary sewer system versus being used for outdoor watering. The City takes your water consumption during those three months in December, January, and February, and calculates an average monthly consumption. That is the consumption that is used to bill you for sewer over the next 12 months. If you had a water leak during those three months, it will affect your sewer charges. It is important to monitor your water consumption and fix leaks promptly to keep your water consumption down, and especially during the winter time to keep your sewer bills down to a minimum

• Repair all leaks immediately, including dripping faucets, showerheads, and toilets that leak or continuously run. 
• Install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads. A new low-flow shower head can reduce shower water by 50 percent. 
• Replace old toilets, which use up to five gallons per flush, with more efficient models which use as little as 1.6 gallons per flush. Based on this savings, low-flow toilets can pay for themselves in a couple of years. 
• In freezing weather, instead of dripping faucets, wrap all water pipes in non-heated areas with insulation.
• Run the washing machine and dish washer only when you have a full load.
• Taking 5 minute showers instead of 10 minute showers can save 12.5 gallons a day.

Irrigation systems and water sprinklers can use a lot of water, even when used minimally. It is important to monitor your outside watering to avoid costly bills from overuse or leaks. 

Proper seasonal scheduling of your irrigation system is just as important as the condition of your system. Perform system evaluations on a regular basis looking for proper coverage. Install a rain sensor if you don’t have one. Follow these simple steps to apply just the right amount of water your landscape needs: 

Get to know your controller. Most controllers have multiple start times, multiple programs and seasonal adjustment capabilities. These can be used to your advantage, but watch out for accidental excessive scheduling. Controllers often run at night when you can’t see if a sprinkler head is missing, or cycle times are excessive. 

Start low and, if needed, increase incrementally. 

Infrequent, deep watering helps increase root health. Base your station times on plant material, sun exposure, and what type of emitter is watering that area. 

Hand water stressed areas and high water need plants. Even the best irrigation systems apply more water in some areas than they do in others. Use a hose to put water where you need it. 

Match your watering to the season. Plants will need less watering in the spring and fall, and almost no additional watering in the winter when most plants go dormant. In fact, it’s a good idea to turn your irrigation system off in the winter months. 

Click here for information on the amount of water your irrigation system will use.

Finding a water leak in your home can be a difficult task. Luckily we have a guide on how to find a water leak in your house. 

It is a city-wide policy to have your polykart out on the curb by 12:00 A.M. on your designated collection day. A map of the collection days is available for viewing here.

Only normal-household refuse in the polykart or trash bags will be collected by the Solid Waste Department. Please bag your garbage and trash in any size bags and tie them before placing in the polykart. If loose trash falls out while being emptied, the Crew cannot slow up their route to pick up all the loose trash that should have been bagged. If you have more refuse than your polykart will easily hold, put it in trash bags, tie, and set them on top of or beside your kart. Do NOT warp the lid by over cramming too many bags inside, causing the lid to not close. This will cause damage to the lid of the polykart. You are allowed up to eight (8) bags or limb bundles around your kart. You can fill the bags with leaves, grass clippings, household trash, old clothes, papers, etc., to be removed on collection day. Do NOT fill your kart with loose debris, such as sawdust or kitty litter, as they will cause harm to an employee. Do NOT fill your kart or bags with rocks, dirt, bricks, sand, concrete or other heavy materials because it cannot be hydraulically lifted by the truck without causing it to break apart. Private trash cans are not allowed and will not be emptied – only extra bags or items are allowed around your kart. If you have a private trash can that needs to be thrown away, put a sign on it that tells the Solid Waste Crew that the container itself and what’s inside is trash to be thrown away.

Brush and limbs must be tied in bundles not to exceed 35 pounds, and up to eight (8) bundles around your kart. They should be no more than four (4) inches in diameter and cut in lengths of less than four (4) feet. The bundles must be placed on the ground beside the polykart or on top of the kart. If you have a few short limbs that will fit comfortably in the polykart, you can place some in the kart. If any loose limbs or brush fall out while being emptied, the Crew will not slow up their route to pick them up. NOTE: The City of Sand Springs offers a free service once a month (usually the first Saturday of each month) called Chipper Days. If you reside inside the city limits, you may take your limbs and brush along with your water/refuse bill to the Street Department. Visit our website here for more details about Chipper Days or call 918-246-2588.

Place the polykart no less than four (4) feet from the curb or street, with the handle facing the street. After the karts are emptied, the Crew will turn the polykart sideways. This way, you can easily see if your kart, or your neighbor’s, was emptied. Do NOT leave your kart at the curb or street all week long. This is against City Ordinance 1129 and you are subject to a fine if the city ordinance is not adhered to. Taking your polykart back to your house helps avoid theft, vandalism, pranks, and keeps it from blowing into the street and causing accidents, and also keeps Sand Springs looking clean and neat.

If you failed to place your trash at the curb on your designated collection day by 12:00 a.m. and your trash did not get emptied, the Crew, per customer request, will return to empty the polykart within two business days for a fee of $31.67 which will be added to your water/refuse bill. If you have extra trash that needs to be removed on your collection day, or if you have something large and bulky that is not common household trash that needs to be removed (i.e., couch), the Crew can come and remove it for a fee starting at $31.67, and the charge will be added to your water/refuse bill. Please call 918-246-2588 one to two business days before your scheduled collection day so we can notify the Crew about the extra or bulky items for pick-up. NOTE: If the items are too numerous to be considered a general “extra pick-up” or “bulky pick-up”, then we also have roll-off dumpsters available to rent. (Call 918-246-2588 for details)

Physically disabled persons may contact Public Works at 918-246-2588, if they are physically unable to take the polykart to the curb or street for collection. The customer will be asked to provide a doctor’s statement verifying the fact that they are disabled. 

The 90-gallon, 1 cubic foot polykart is owned by the City of Sand Springs and provided for your use. The rate you pay is for refuse service once a week. You are responsible for the care and cleanliness of your polykart. It can be easily cleaned with a water hose, detergent and brush. 

Do NOT use gasoline or cleaning solutions on it. 
Do NOT put charcoal or fireworks in it, even if you believe they are put out, because they often smolder and burn up the kart. If that happens, the city can charge you $100.00 to replace it. That charge would be added to your water/refuse bill. 
Do NOT fill your kart with loose debris, such as sawdust and kitty litter, as they will cause harm to an employee, as previously explained. 
Do NOT fill your kart or bags with rocks, dirt or other heavy material because it cannot be hydraulically lifted without causing it to break apart, as previously explained. 
Do NOT paint on it. You are responsible for the safekeeping of the kart. Keep it in your garage, if possible, or beside your home until collection day, and then bring it back to your home after collection, as previously explained. 

If your kart needs repaired or replaced, please call 918-246-2588.

The Sand Springs Recycling Center on E. Morrow Road is open to the public seven (7) days a week. Hours of operation are Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The center accepts plastic bottles, glass bottles, newspaper, office paper, magazines, aluminum cans, motor oil (5-gallon limit), batteries (household & auto), cooking oil, eyeglasses, steel cans, corrugated cardboard (no paperboard), phone books, and electronic waste. For more information, or to ask a specific question, call the Tulsa Metropolitan Environmental Trust (MET) at 918-584-0584.

Every year the Holiday Refuse Schedule is put in the Sand Springs Leader, as well as sent in the water/refuse bill. Also, before every Holiday there will be a statement on the face of the water bill telling about the Holiday Schedule. If a City Holiday falls on a Friday, and the Sanitation Crew is not working that day, then those Friday customers will be collected the Wednesday before. If a City Holiday falls on a Monday, and the Sanitation Crew is not working that day, then those Monday customers will be collected the Wednesday after. This is general information regarding the Schedule and is subject to change. For further questions regarding the Holiday Schedule please view our schedule here or you may call the Public Works Dept. at 918-246-2588.

If you move, do NOT take the polykart with you. If it is empty when you move, leave it at the home where it can be found by the next customer. If it has garbage in it, place it on the curb for collection. If your new address is in Sand Springs, that address should already have a kart there. If it is missing, call 918-246-2588. 

If you move into a home that has multiple polykarts, you will be charged monthly for each polykart. If you do not wish to keep the extra polykart, please call 918-246-2588 to have the polykart picked up and billing changed.