Landscaping in Bixby.

River, creeks and soil

Bixby's comprehensive plan describes the Arkansas River bisecting the city, with Bixby, Duck, Fry Ditch, Haikey, Posey and Snake creeks draining to it. The Haikey Creek flood project was expected to take about 900 acres out of the floodplain.

USDA soil maps put downtown Bixby on Choska very fine sandy loam, a well-drained river-bottom soil. Away from the river the mix changes: Wynona silty clay loam and Latanier clay in low, occasionally flooded ground, Osage silty clay, and Dennis silt loam on the uplands. A patio base or a drain that suits sandy loam near the river may not suit clay a mile away.

Grading needs the city engineer

Bixby requires an earth change permit from the city engineer before placing fill, excavating, grading, regrading, or moving a drainage route. Even the exemption for landscaping and home gardening needs paperwork: a letter to the city engineer describing the work, its effect on drainage and the amount of cut or fill, approved in writing.

Bixby uses FEMA flood maps for both Tulsa County (2024) and Wagoner County (2016), and work in a flood area needs a floodplain development permit. Owners must also keep the drainageways and bar ditches next to their property open and clear.

Fences, walls and patios

Bixby's fee schedule lists separate permits for fences and retaining walls. Fences and walls in yards are limited to 8 feet, and 4 feet in a required front yard.

Patios belong in the rear yard unless the city approves a special exception, and residential site plans must show the distance from patios to property lines. In RE and RS districts, detached accessory buildings in the rear yard can cover no more than 20% of it or 800 square feet, whichever is less, and can't stand taller than the house.

Sprinklers need two permits

A lawn sprinkler system needs a city permit before installation, and starting first carries a penalty. Before that permit is issued, a plumber holding state and city plumbing licenses must permit the backflow preventer, which can be an air gap, a pressure vacuum breaker or a reduced-pressure assembly.

Who to call

Bixby Development Services handles building, engineering and planning at 111 N. Cabaniss Ave., (918) 366-4430, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits are filed online through the city's MyGov portal.