Landscaping in Jenks.

River-bottom soil and western hills

The city's Horizon Jenks plan notes that developed parcels sit on land reclaimed from the floodplain by the levees, and that about 10 square miles of the city lie in the Polecat Creek basin, much of it in the 100-year floodplain.

USDA soil maps put downtown Jenks on Choska and Severn soils: loamy, well-drained river-bottom ground. The hills on the west side of town are a different world, mapped as Niotaze-Bigheart-Rock outcrop complexes on 3 to 25% slopes. A drainage plan for one rarely fits the other.

Grading and drainage need the city engineer

Jenks requires an earth change permit from the City Engineer before placing fill, excavating, grading, regrading, paving, or realigning a drainage route. Routine landscaping and home gardening that doesn't affect natural drainage is exempt, though the engineer can still require a permit after a complaint.

In a flood hazard area, a floodplain development permit must show the proposed landscape changes. The city's Engineering department, at City Hall, handles both permits.

Fences and backyard structures

A fence needs a building permit only above 7 feet. Fences can be up to 4 feet in front and exterior side yards and 7 feet in interior side and rear yards. Jenks also sets how they're built: galvanized steel posts at least 2-3/8 inches across, a continuous flat top, no spiked or open-picket metal, and at least 2 inches of clearance where a fence crosses a drainage swale or easement.

Accessory structures without a permanent foundation, such as gazebos, are limited to two per lot, 200 square feet and 8 feet tall, at least 10 feet from the house. Your HOA covenants may restrict fences and structures further.

Watering groups

Jenks splits the city into five watering groups by the last digit of the address. Restrictions follow City of Tulsa water conditions. In Stage 2, outdoor watering drops to every fifth day, between midnight and noon or 6 p.m. and midnight. New sod and plantings need to be planned around that.

Who to call

Building Inspections is at Jenks City Hall, 211 N. Elm St., (918) 556-7439, with permits filed online through the city's GovWell portal. For earth change and floodplain permits, call Engineering at (918) 299-5883.