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Council backs building-code change to ease permitting for family childcare homes
Summary
The council approved an ordinance change that aligns local code with the International Residential Code, creating a clearer path for family childcare homes (including some large family providers) to obtain city permits without requiring automatic sprinklers; Tulsa Educare praised the decision.
The Tulsa City Council approved an amendment to the building code that city staff and advocates say will make it easier for licensed family childcare homes — including some large family childcare homes — to obtain city permits without the prior requirement to install automatic sprinkler systems.
Cindy Decker, executive director of Tulsa Educare, told the council the measure represents three years of collaboration among providers, planning staff, the planning commission and the board of adjustment. "This vote reflects more than 3 years of sustained collaboration," Decker said, adding the change provides a “clear and workable path to receiving a city permit” and will help providers under financial strain.
Councilors said the change is a technical alignment with the International Residential Code (2018 edition) and noted it responds to long-standing concerns about permitting barriers for family childcare providers. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote; an emergency clause applied to the childcare-related item so the change can take effect immediately for permitting purposes.
