State & Local Meeting
Visitability Credit Presentation
December 15, 2025
This presentation by the City of Norman's building official detailed the newly adopted Visitable Credit Program, established in August 2025, which incentivizes builders to construct visitable dwellingsβhomes designed with basic accessibility features for mobility-impaired individuals. Eligible structures include single-family homes, two-family dwellings, townhouses with fewer than four units, and accessory dwelling units. Builders enrolling in the program can receive a credit against building permit fees, currently 14 cents per square foot, effectively waiving these fees upon passing a compliance inspection. The program is designed to be simple to enroll in via the city's online permitting portal and includes an inspection process to verify compliance with visitability standards such as no-step entries, wider doorways, and accessible bathroom features. The credit amount scales with any future increases in permit fees, providing ongoing financial incentive. The presentation also compared the Visitable Credit Program with the city's Energy Credit Program, noting that while both draw from the same permit fee credit, builders cannot claim both credits fully. The program aims to promote marketability of homes for aging populations and those with minor mobility needs, with minimal cost impact to builders. Detailed technical requirements and examples were provided to clarify compliance expectations. The program is permanent and intended to remain stable despite future code updates.
Sources
- Visitability Credit Presentation · CityOfNormanOK · Dec 15