Oklahoma Governor Signs Housing Affordability Bill into Law
In a victory for home builders and housing affordability, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) has signed SB 1713 into law. The legislation will limit cities and counties from regulating purely aesthetic building design that would needlessly raise the cost of housing.
The Oklahoma Home Builders Association (OkHBA), along with the Oklahoma Realtors Association, the Affordable Housing Coalition and other trade groups and consumers, lobbied aggressively for this legislative remedy after some Oklahoma towns proposed residential design changes that would prohibit exterior finishes such as vinyl, wood and aluminum siding that are otherwise permitted under all editions of the International Residential Code. Other proposed changes such as roof pitch or front facing garages would collectively increase building costs and price entry-level buyers out of the market.
With Oklahoma and the rest of the nation already facing a housing affordability crisis, the OkHBA argued that the proposed standards are a form of exclusionary zoning that would increase housing costs and price out certain groups of prospective home owners from the housing market.
“The ability of persons from all economic segments to own a home is one of many reasons America is who we are,” said Oklahoma State Senator Kim David, the lead sponsor of the bill. “The commitment from home builders to defend property rights and continue to protect all Americans is why we were so pleased to work alongside OkHBA and pass legislation that will continue to uphold these ideas.”
Oklahoma State Rep. Ryan Martinez also noted the importance of being able to design a home of your choosing. “Building a new home is a special time in a family’s life,” he said. “That means that they would like to be involved in all parts of the building process, especially the design and aesthetics of their new home. If they can’t have the things that make them happy, then it’s just a house without the love of a home.”
Oklahoma home builder Curtis McCarty, president of the OkHBA, noted the legislation is particularly important for young families seeking to get a toe hold on the homeownership ladder.
“The issue of affordability really affects everyone, but especially first-time home buyers,” he said. “If we don’t find ways to keep housing affordable, we will eliminate a group of people that would like to be home buyers but end up renting.”
He added that passage of the bill “was a huge win for not only housing but the OkHBA. We came together as a group from all over the state and worked together for the betterment of our industry.”
“Cities and states might not be able to prevent the high product costs and rising interest rates that affect the housing industry nationwide, but fortunately they can prevent more costs that come from adding unnecessary design regulations to homes,” said builder M.J. Farzaneh with Home Creations.
For more information, contact Karl Eckhart at 800-368-5242 x8319
Latest from NAHBNow
Jul 18, 2025
Single-Family Starts Weaken in June as Affordability Challenges PersistDue to a solid increase in multifamily production, overall housing starts increased 4.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Jul 17, 2025
Stay on Top of Wood Framing Safety PoliciesWood framing is an integral part of the home building process, and one job that many general contractors take on themselves. But even with familiarity of the task, specific safety precautions should be followed during framing.
Latest Economic News
Jul 18, 2025
Single-Family Starts Weaken in June as Affordability Challenges PersistSingle-family housing starts declined in June to the lowest rate since July 2024 as elevated interest rates, rising inventories and ongoing supply-side issues continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector.
Jul 17, 2025
Builder Confidence Edges Up in JulyBuilder confidence for future sales expectations received a slight boost in July with the extension of the 2017 tax cuts, but elevated interest rates and economic and policy uncertainty continue to act as headwinds for the housing sector.
Jul 16, 2025
Producer Prices for Metals and Equipment Show Large IncreasesResidential building material prices rose in June, driven primarily by higher construction machinery and equipment part prices. Metal commodities also experienced significant increases, following recently implemented tariffs on steel and aluminum. Meanwhile, price growth for services used in construction continues to outpace both domestic and imported goods.