A storm shelter in Perry goes through the city’s regular building permit. As of October 2026, Perry’s fee schedule lists $10 for a storm shelter, plus the state building code fee and a 50-cent city charge on top of that state fee. The application needs a plot plan drawn to scale, and the permit lapses if work does not start within 60 days.

Cutaway illustration of a house with a storm shelter below the garage floor and a separate underground shelter in the back yard
Two common placements: below the garage floor and underground in the yard.

What the $10 permit asks for

The plot plan shows the exact size of your lot, every building already on it and the spot for the shelter. If the lot corners have no survey pins, the Building Official can ask for a survey by an Oklahoma-registered engineer. Permits are issued at City Hall. The city prefers applications through its online permit portal, and paper forms are still accepted.

Ask the installer to draw the plot plan and file the application. Because of the 60-day rule, the permit should come close to the install date. Ask when it will apply and when its crew can start.

Inspections on morning and afternoon blocks

City Hall books inspections first come, first served, in AM or PM blocks. A request made after 8 am goes to the next business day. If the work is not ready and the city has not been notified, it may add a reinspection fee. The quote should say who books each inspection and who pays a reinspection if the crew is not ready.

Where a yard shelter can sit

In Perry’s R-G residential district, a single-family house keeps a 25-foot front yard, 5-foot side yards and a 20-foot rear yard. In a planned unit development, a shelter can sit in a front or side yard if it stays within 18 inches of the ground. Have the installer check both your zoning and the shelter’s height before drawing the plan.

If the spot you want breaks a setback, the request goes to the Board of Adjustment. As of October 2026, the application costs $100. It requires a certified abstractor’s list of property owners within 300 feet. You must attend the meeting. Ask the installer to confirm whether your chosen spot needs a variance. The city offers GIS maps to builders and contractors, which helps the installer place the shelter on the plan.

Flood zones and below-ground units

Building in a mapped flood hazard area needs a separate floodplain development permit. As of October 2026, the city lists $100 for the application review, $25 for the permit and $25 per inspection. SoonerSafe, the state rebate program, will not pay for a below-ground safe room on a floodplain lot. An above-ground room there can still be eligible. Ask the installer to check the flood map for your address before it prices an in-ground unit.

Noble County’s tornado record

The chart below counts every tornado that touched Noble County, not only Perry. Its two strongest were both F4s. The April 26, 1991 tornado had a 66-mile path. Across its full 35-mile path, the May 3, 1999 tornado killed 2 people and injured 26. None of the county’s tornadoes in 2016–2025 was rated EF3 or stronger. For warnings, follow the National Weather Service and Perry’s Department of Emergency Management.

Shelter options for an older Perry house

ACS estimates count 2,181 housing units in Perry, with only 212 built in 2000 or later. With an older house, compare two places: the garage and the yard. For a below-floor garage shelter or an above-ground safe room, ask how the installer will check the slab. An underground yard shelter depends on the setbacks and the flood map. The types comparison sets them side by side.

Perry homeowners may build on their own lot with the permit and inspections. Wiring for lights or outlets still needs a state-licensed electrician. As of October 2026, Perry’s electrical contractor registration costs $50 a year.

Price and the property tax break

Check which prices below include installation before comparing a garage unit with a yard shelter. A shelter can also lower your tax bill. Up to 100 square feet of a shelter added after January 1, 2002 is exempt from property tax under the Oklahoma Constitution. You claim it with form OTC 905 at the county assessor’s office. To claim it for the current tax year, file by March 15. A change of ownership brings the shelter back onto the taxable property record.

Getting a Perry quote

Use the form below to ask a Perry-area installer for a free quote. Say whether you want the shelter in the garage or the yard. Also say whether your home is in a planned development. For this lot, have the quote spell out:

  • a visit to check the proposed shelter location
  • the plot plan and permit, filed by the installer
  • the $10 shelter fee, state fee and $0.50 city charge itemized
  • any floodplain permit your lot needs
  • delivery, dirt haul-off and anchoring, each priced separately