Local Government in Oklahoma Considers Adopting New Zoning Regulations for Oil and Gas Operations

On July 6, 2015, the Stillwater City Council held the first reading of a proposed Zoning Ordinance No. 3310 amending part of the Stillwater City Code, Chap. 23, Art. XXI titled “Oil, gas, and disposal wells regulations.” By adopting the proposed Ordinance, the City Council would be implementing new regulations on zoning standards for oil and gas wells, including setbacks, landscaping, and ambient noise requirements.

In May 2015, Oklahoma Governor Fallin signed a law preventing local governments from banning hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction. According to the law, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate oil and gas operations. Local governments, however, are able to reasonably restrict some aspect of oil and gas regulations concerning “road use, traffic, noise and odors incidental to oil and gas operations within [their] boundaries” as well as setback and fencing requirements.

A second reading of the proposed Zoning Ordinance is scheduled to occur on July 20, 2015. At the end of the second reading, if approved by the Council, the Ordinance will become effective.

Further information is available at:

http://stillwater.org/government/city_departments/development_services/oil_and_gas.php

Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow

07/08/2015