Home › Norman permit

Norman storm shelter permit: fee, drawings and inspections

Summary of the City of Norman's Residential Storm Shelter FAQs (April 2026). Not legal advice; confirm with the city.

Fee and how to apply

Norman lists the storm shelter permit at $54.50. You apply through the city's online portal after creating an account. A permit is needed when you're ready to install or build the shelter or safe room.

What to submit

• An engineer drawing that references the current code cycle and the 2014 ICC-500 or newer. The city says these can likely be obtained from your shelter company.
• A site plan. The city asks you to email [email protected] with the address to request one.
• If the property is in a flood zone, call Public Works at (405) 366-5455 for further requirements.

Where an outdoor shelter can go

It depends on zoning. For a single-family home in an R-1 zone that allows an exterior shelter, the city says setbacks are typically a minimum 5 ft from the side setback (3 ft if every part of the shelter is within 50 ft of the rear property line or rear easement) and 1 ft off the rear setback or utility easement.

Inspections and closeout

• Site-cast concrete shelters need the concrete work inspected before concrete is placed, plus a final inspection.
• Pre-built shelters need only a final inspection.
• Schedule inspections in the same online portal. After final approval and payment of any re-inspect fees, staff issue a Certificate of Completion.

Register your shelter

Register with the Norman Fire Department by calling (405) 292-9780.

Before you hire

Ask whether the installer supplies the engineer drawing, handles the portal application and inspection scheduling, and whether the $54.50 is in the quote. See questions to ask a shelter installer.

Questions: Norman Development Services, 225 N. Webster Ave., (405) 366-5339.

More: Norman storm shelters · permits in other metro cities · FEMA standards

Get free quotes

Related guides

• Permits by city
• Moore permit
• Yukon permit
• Edmond permit
• Questions to ask an installer
• FEMA and ICC 500 standards