TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa’s code enforcement backlog for its lowest-priority complaints has grown to more than 2,700 cases, which means it can take weeks or even months before anyone from the city shows up to investigate.
The backlog covers Priority 3 cases, the lowest rung of Tulsa’s code enforcement priority system.
Those typically involve:
- overgrown weeds
- tall grass
- trash in vacant lots
- deteriorating or abandoned properties
Lisa Burt lives near an overgrown lot in west Tulsa. She’s been annoyed with the problem for years.
“I’ve been dealing with the overgrown weeds and grass in our neighborhood for at least the last 3 years, and the city seems like they don’t want to do anything about it,” Burt said.
kjrh
Tulsa code enforcement records show a complaint filed about the lot at 4005 W 55th Place on April 30, 2026. The case is classified as Priority 3.
When 2 News Oklahoma asked James Wagner, the director of Tulsa’s Planning and Neighborhoods Department, about the case he looked up its status. After seeing the complaint is about overgrown weeds blocking sightlines at an intersection, Wagner upgraded it to a Priority 1 case for immediate inspection.
kjrh
2 News reported on Tulsa Code Enforcement’s backlog of inspections of priority 3 code enforcement complaints going back three years.
“Right now we have about 2,700 cases in our backlog,” Wagner said.
kjrh
In midsummer 2025, the backlog stood at 1,895 cases. In 2024, it exceeded 2,300 cases.
Wagner said the summer months are the most challenging period for his department.
“We get a lot of citizen complaints about tall grass and weeds during the summertime,” Wagner said.
What’s their goal?
Wagner said the city’s goal is to respond to Priority 3 complaints within 30 days.
In the winter months, the department typically catches up to that target. But in summer, the wait can stretch far longer.
“In the summertime it can be as much as 60 to 90 days before we even get the first inspection,” Wagner said.
For Burt, that timeline is unacceptable, “To me, that’s too long.”
People are also frustrated when duplicate complaints are rejected.
Burt and others who contacted the Problem Solvers said they are frustrated when Tulsa’s 311 system refuses to accept their complaint because someone else already reported the same property.
Burt said the approach sends the wrong message, “To me, it’s like they’re blowing it off like our voices doesn’t matter.”
Wagner said the policy exists to prevent the backlog from growing even further, but he acknowledged the frustration.
kjrh
“We certainly care, but we also don’t want to just create duplicate cases in our system, and that would actually get us further behind in the backlog,” Wagner said.
How can people check on their area?
The city offers a code enforcement map where people can see areas already reported.
The map below shows how many cases are active.
“The number one thing to do is use that code enforcement map and know that if it’s on that map and it’s been reported, then it’s on our radar, and we may be in the process of working with the owner on compliance,” Wagner said.
kjrh
Wagner said in many cases, the city is already in contact with a property owner behind the scenes, working toward voluntary compliance before a formal abatement becomes necessary.
How do these reports end? Who pays?
“About 2/3 of our cases are solved by voluntary compliance, meaning that when we send the notice or make contact with the owner, they ultimately solve the issue before we have to go and do an abatement,” Wagner said.
For the remaining cases, the city performs the abatement itself, sends an invoice to the property owner, and places a lien on the property if the invoice goes unpaid after 30 days. Wagner said the city eventually recoups those costs when the property is sold.
Burt said she believes the city should treat multiple complaints about the same property as a signal that the problem is serious.
“I think more complaints they get on the same thing, they would realize it’s not just one person complaining about that issue. It’s affecting different ones, everybody, instead of just one person,” Burt said.
Is this going to change?
Tulsa is taking steps to address the backlog.
The city’s FY27 budget includes funding for 3 new code enforcement employees. Wagner said the new hires likely will not be on the job and fully trained in time to make a difference this summer, but he expects them to be ready by next spring.
“We’re hopeful that by next growing season, by March of next year, we have all those positions in place,” Wagner said.
The city is also launching a notification program.
When a complaint is filed, the city is going to send courtesy postcards and text messages to the property owner and the utility account holder associated with the property, alerting them to the issue before a code enforcement officer even arrives.
“We’re letting that property owner or the utility customer know that there’s a problem there, and they need to go check it out. So the hope is that they take care of it before our code enforcement officer even gets there,” Wagner said.
Wagner said the postcard program is expected to launch within the next couple of months.
Burt hopes the new measures make a real difference in her neighborhood.
“Oh, I hope so because I love this neighborhood. It’s just I don’t like seeing all the overgrown trash and abandoned homes and everything because it’s a health risk for people,” Burt said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Contact the Problem Solvers:
- 918-748-1502
- [email protected]
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
