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Lton City Council declares scores of properties dilapidated, authorizes abatement
Summary
The council unanimously adopted resolutions declaring multiple residential properties dilapidated under city code and state statute, generally giving owners 45 days to pull permits and six months to complete work or face abatement. Several property owners and representatives spoke in favor of repair timelines.
The Lton City Council on March 11 publicly declared an extensive list of properties dilapidated and authorized summary abatement and legal action where owners do not comply.
Staff described each address’s condition—inactive water service, damaged roofing and siding, broken windows, and other structural issues—and confirmed required notice was posted under Oklahoma statute. For many properties, owners or representatives told the council they are pursuing repairs or securing contractors. Nita Rodriguez, the property manager for 701 Southwest Park, said the owner is seeking contractors to fix a secondary structure and would demolish it if it cannot be repaired. "If it's repairable, we would like to repair it. If not, then we would like to demolish it," she said.
Council members uniformly framed the actions as efforts to protect public safety and restore housing stock. For properties without recent permit activity, staff recommended placing the addresses on a DND (declared nuisance docket) that gives owners 45 calendar days to file for required permits and six months to complete work for an inspection-based certificate of occupancy. Owners who demonstrated progress received continuances or tabling where staff recommended it.
Individual hearings produced a mix of outcomes: some properties were approved for abatement orders after public comment (motions carried typically 7–0), while others were tabled to allow owners time to finish repairs and submit permits. For example, council members voted to deny a requested extension for 1212 Northwest 31st Street after staff reported continued vacancy and visible damage, but they approved continued work for 909 Southwest 7th Street, noting new roofing and siding were in place.
The council emphasized its goal of returning units to safe, habitable condition. When questioned about timelines, the mayor and staff reiterated the 45-day permit deadline and six-month completion window that apply under the city’s enforcement program. Several owners said health issues, family emergencies, contractor availability or the need to secure financing had delayed repairs.
What happens next: The council authorized abatement and legal action where owners do not meet the DND timelines. For several properties the council instead established continuances to the second meeting in April or late April 2026 to allow owners to secure roofing, pull permits or otherwise demonstrate progress.
Speakers quoted: "We have been in the process of trying to keep vagrants out," said Nita Rodriguez, the property manager for 701 Southwest Park, noting efforts to board and secure the property. "I just wanted to say it was delayed because of health issues on my behalf," said a contractor who identified himself as Zebedaya when asking for time at 621 Southwest 26th Street.
