Frequently Asked Questions

There is a process that the city must follow to comply with state law before it can abate a public nuisance. This provides the property owner a certain period of time to correct the problem or appeal the public nuisance determination. In most cases, the process takes about two weeks from the time a public nuisance is identified or reported to the time it can be abated. Abatement demolition of dilapidated buildings is a separate process under state law that can take several months to accomplish.

The Oklahoma Residential Landlord Tenant Act sets out responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. Such responsibilities are also outlined in lease agreements. As such, they are considered civil matters between a landlord and tenant and are not regarded as public nuisances. Bug infestations are also viewed in this manner, and it is up to the tenant or landlord to arrange for extermination. The city will investigate situations that pose an imminent hazard to a tenant’s or the public’s health and safety – including dangerous electrical connections or appliance installations, lack of smoke detectors, or inadequate heating sources and sanitary facilities.

The city’s zoning code states that vehicles must be parked on an all-weather surface defined as asphalt or concrete. This means vehicles cannot be parked in the front yard. “Yard cars” detract from the community’s quality of life. Parking on or across a sidewalk hinders pedestrians – especially those with disabilities. Sidewalks must be available for use by any member of the public at all times.

Inoperable vehicles in Sand Springs must be stored in an enclosed area such as a garage if they remain upon private property in excess of 168 hours. Typically, inoperable vehicles those that cannot be legally driven on public streets, have parts missing or are defective. Inoperable vehicles remaining in open view after 168 hours (7 days) are subject to tow. Property owners or tenants may also receive a Municipal Court citation.

In most cases, violators are given information that a public nuisance exists on their property and provided with a timeframe (usually a week) to correct the issue. If the issue is not corrected, a process begins that allows the city to correct the issue and assess costs as a tax lien on the property. In certain cases, Municipal Court citations can be issued with a maximum fine of $500 for each day a violation continues.

The minimum height for public nuisance grass is 12 inches.

City ordinance requires property owners to maintain all vegetation from the street curb or pavement edge – even though it is a part of the public right-of-way. The right-of-way area between the street and a private property line is viewed as an extension of the property available for use by the public. Trees and shrubs need to be pruned so they do not obstruct traffic or damage vehicles.

By state law and city ordinance, items that are dumped, improperly disposed of or otherwise uncared for can be considered a trash public nuisance. The most common types of trash public nuisances include piles of discarded items, tree limbs and brush, old furniture, lumber and dead appliances.

Furniture designed for indoor use should never be kept outdoors – even on a covered porch. In addition to inevitable contact with moisture, such items are a haven for rodents, insects and other pests.

The City cooperates with a nearby privately-owned landfill to offer free bulk disposal of items each spring and fall. Notices of the free disposal days are included in city utility bills and are only available for residents who receive city refuse collection. An extra pickup of bulky items is available from the city’s refuse service for an additional fee charged to a customer’s utility bill.