Project Overview & Purpose
The City's zoning and subdivision regulations govern the use and development of land within the City limits. This project will focus on rewriting the existing land development regulations, sign regulations, and design standards (such as parking, street design, and landscaping). This effort will also streamline and simplify development procedures to ensure clear and efficient processes.
The project will be driven by industry best practices, input from code users and community stakeholders, and the policies and actions identified through the Bartlesville Endeavor 2045 Comprehensive Plan process. This project itself is among the primary recommendations made by the Comprehensive Plan, and is critical to achieving the vision for the future articulated therein.
Click Here to Read Bartlesville's Comprehensive Plan
Input will be collected through a community open house and interviews with frequent code users, which will be held during Phase 1. This approach allows for input early in the process before the amendments are drafted.
A working group composed of City Staff and a consultant team will work closely to prepare draft amendments to the code. The working group will present the draft amendments to the Planning Commission and City Council for periodic review and feedback. City staff will engage stakeholders during this process, providing ongoing opportunities for review, collaboration, and input. The draft amendments will ultimately be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for final review and adoption consideration.
Get Involved
Key Dates
Tuesday 27 January 2026 4:00 pm
Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee will meet to review and discuss the draft Diagnostic Report.
The draft document can be found here.
Tuesday 27 January 2026 5:30 pm to Monday 26 January 2026
Planning Commission Work Session
The Planning Commission will review and discuss the draft Diagnostic Report.
The draft document can be found here.
Monday 2 February 2026 5:30 pm
City Council Work Session
The City Council will meet to review and discuss the draft Diagnostic Report.
The draft document can be found here.
The first phase of the project, the Diagnostic Report, is nearly complete. The Diagnostic Report is the culmination of the Project Team's review of applicable City plans and the current development codes, and includes recommendations on the new development codes organization and specific best practices and improvements.
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), Planning Commission, and City Council will review the draft report in the upcoming weeks.
You can review the draft Diagnostic Report here.
Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive plan is a high-level planning and policy guide. It is not zoning or any other enforceable regulation; however, it is used to inform the City’s regulations, many of which are contained within the City’s Development Code.
The 2024 Comprehensive Plan process included community engagement opportunities to identify the vision for the future of Bartlesville. The City identified actions to help achieve this vision, many of which are best addressed through the Development Code update.
The Development Code will be updated in a four-phase process. The first phase is a diagnostic evaluation, during which our team reviews the City’s existing plans and codes, and conducts interviews with typical code users. The second phase is the drafting of updated Development Code language. The consultant team works with City Staff, the Planning Commission, and City Council through this phase. The third phase includes refinement of the draft Code, and the creation of a new zoning map. Ultimately, the Planning Commission and City Council will consider adoption of the new Development Code.
You are encouraged to participate in our Public Survey and utilize our Map Activity to provide input throughout the planning process.
If you have any questions or would like to message our team directly, see the Contact Us section to send an email. Please be sure to include your contact information if you would like a response.
