We understand that overgrown grass, weeds, trash, debris, and neglected properties can be frustrating. A common question we receive is, “Why doesn’t the City just take care of it?”
The answer is that Oklahoma law requires municipalities to follow a legal process that protects the rights of property owners. The City cannot simply enter private property and begin work without following the procedures established by state law and our local ordinances.
Overgrown Grass, Weeds, Trash, and Similar Nuisances 1. A complaint is received or a City employee observes a possible violation.
2. The property is inspected to determine whether it violates the City’s nuisance ordinance.
3. A notice is sent to the property owner explaining the violation and providing a deadline to correct it.
4. The City must wait the required notice period. This step cannot be skipped, even if the property appears severely neglected.
5. The property is re-inspected.
• If the violation has been corrected, the case is closed.
• If it has not, the City proceeds with the legal process to abate the nuisance.
6. If necessary, the City arranges to have the property mowed, cleaned, or otherwise abated.
7. The cost of the work is billed to the property owner and may become a lien against the property if it is not paid.
Dilapidated or Dangerous Buildings
Unsafe or abandoned structures require an even more extensive legal process. Before the City can move toward demolition or other abatement, a title search must be completed to identify all parties with a legal interest in the property, including owners, lienholders, mortgage holders, heirs, or estates. Each party must receive proper legal notice and be given an opportunity to respond before the City can proceed.
Because of these legal requirements, these cases often take months or longer to resolve.
Why Not Every Property Is Abated Immediately
At any given time, Bristow has numerous properties that may qualify for enforcement. While we investigate complaints and begin the legal process when appropriate, it is not possible to place every property into abatement at once.
City crews are responsible for maintaining streets, parks, cemeteries, public buildings, rights-of-way, and other public property. If those crews were fully dedicated to private property cleanup, essential public services would be negatively impacted.
In addition, abatement costs are billed to property owners, but are not always recovered and often become liens. Because these efforts use taxpayer resources, the City must prioritize work carefully and responsibly.
How to Properly Report a Concern
If you see a property that you believe needs attention, the proper and most effective way to report it is to contact the City’s Code Enforcement Officer directly. He can be reached at 918 550-2665. He will receive the complaint, document it, and ensure it enters the formal process for inspection and prioritization.
Please understand that social media posts, tagging, or public comments are not an effective way to initiate enforcement action.
They do not create an official work order, and they may not reach the appropriate staff responsible for handling the case.
If you report a property and do not immediately see visible action, it does not mean nothing is happening. Many properties are already in the legal process, awaiting required notice periods, title work, scheduling, or other mandated steps before action can be taken.
We appreciate residents who take the time to report concerns through the proper channels. This ensures each case is handled fairly, legally, and in the order required by ordinance and available resources. By following the process, we can continue improving our community while protecting the rights of all property owners.