Murray County occupies south-central Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Mountain region — a small range of ancient uplifted rock that creates the most topographically distinct landscape in otherwise flat-to-rolling south-central Oklahoma. The county seat of Sulphur (~4,900) is the county’s sole significant community and is home to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, the only national recreation area in Oklahoma, which encompasses the natural mineral springs, streams, and woodlands for which Sulphur was long famous as a health resort destination. The county was named for William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray, president of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and later Oklahoma’s ninth governor. The county lies within Chickasaw Nation historic territory.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 13,904, Murray County is a small south-central Oklahoma county whose economy blends Chickasaw National Recreation Area tourism, Chickasaw Nation employment, county and school district government, agriculture, and some I-35 corridor commercial activity. Rents in Sulphur range from $575–$825 per month. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area draws visitors year-round, creating modest seasonal hospitality employment.
45 days after termination + possession + written demand
Late Fees
Must be in lease; cannot be included in 5-day notice
Entry Notice
24 hours (non-emergency)
Statute
Okla. Stat. tit. 41 (ORLTA)
Murray County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county rental licensing required. Oklahoma has no statewide landlord licensing statute.
Rent Control
None. Oklahoma has no rent control statute and no local rent stabilization ordinances exist in Murray County.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. Deposit must be held in an Oklahoma FDIC-insured financial institution (Okla. Stat. tit. 41 § 115). Must be returned within 45 days after all three triggers: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by tenant.
20th Judicial District Court — ⚠️ Lunch Closure
Evictions (FEDs) filed at Murray County Courthouse: 1001 W. Wyandotte, Sulphur, OK 73086. Phone: (580) 622-3223. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM & 1:00 PM–4:30 PM. Note the full-hour lunch closure 12:00–1:00 PM. The 20th Judicial District also serves Carter (Ardmore), Johnston, Love (Marietta), and Marshall (Madill) Counties.
Habitability
ORLTA habitability standards apply (tit. 41 § 118). South-central Oklahoma brings hot, humid summers, moderate winters with ice storm risk, tornado exposure, and flash flood risk along Honey Creek, Rock Creek, and the Arbuckle Mountains drainages. The Arbuckle Mountains create some localized terrain hazards. Functioning HVAC is essential.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur is a federally managed national recreation area encompassing natural mineral springs, Travertine Creek, Rock Creek, and Lake of the Arbuckles. It draws tourists and outdoor recreation visitors year-round and is the primary economic driver of Sulphur’s hospitality sector. National Park Service employees and seasonal recreation workers represent a meaningful portion of Sulphur’s employment base.
Chickasaw Nation / Tribal Jurisdiction
Murray County was formed from historic Chickasaw Nation territory. The Chickasaw Nation is a significant employer in the county. Civil FED proceedings for routine residential tenancies go to Oklahoma state court in Sulphur. Properties on Chickasaw Nation trust land require attorney consultation.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All tenant removals require a court FED process. Lockouts and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal under Oklahoma law.
15 (10 to cure; general violations); Immediate (criminal/imminent harm)
Days Notice (Violation)
12-35
Avg Total Days
$$85
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period5 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 5 days to stop eviction
Days to Hearing5-10 (hearing scheduled after filing; summons served at least 3 days before hearing) days
Days to Writ48 hours after judgment (writ of execution served) days
Total Estimated Timeline12-35 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-400
⚠️ Watch Out
5-day notice for nonpayment - rent is late the moment due date passes (no statutory grace period unless lease provides one). Notice must state unpaid amount and termination date (not less than 5 days). Tenant paying in full within 5 days stops eviction. After judgment: tenant gets 48 hours via writ of execution served by sheriff ($50 or actual expenses). CRITICAL: If tenant didn't receive proper notice and default judgment entered, tenant can reverse by paying all rent + costs + attorney fees within 72 hours (12 O.S. § 1148.10B). Abandoned property: 30 days to claim (§ 41-130). Landlord-friendly state with fast process.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Small Claims Division - Forcible Entry and Detainer (Title 12 §§ 1148.1-1148.16). Pay the filing fee (~$$85).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Oklahoma eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Oklahoma attorney or local legal aid organization.
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Oklahoma requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
National Park Service & NRA workers: Chickasaw National Recreation Area employment includes both permanent NPS federal employees and seasonal/temporary workers. Permanent federal employees have stable, well-documented income; seasonal workers have defined-term employment that ends in fall. For NPS seasonal employees, verify whether they have year-round alternate income sources before offering annual leases.
Chickasaw Nation & government employees: The Chickasaw Nation operates healthcare and enterprise facilities in the region. County and Sulphur school district employees represent the most stable year-round civilian employment base. Standard 3x monthly rent income verification applies and is easily met at Murray County rent levels.
Agricultural workers: Cattle, wheat, and pecan production provide private agricultural employment. Request multi-year documentation for farm operators; income is variable with commodity prices and seasons.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Murray County Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Law: Complete Guide for Sulphur & Chickasaw National Recreation Area Rental Property Owners
Murray County occupies a distinctive corner of south-central Oklahoma where the ancient Arbuckle Mountains — a small range of uplifted Precambrian rock — create the most topographically varied landscape in an otherwise flat region. The county is home to Sulphur, named for its natural mineral springs and long famous as a health resort destination, which today serves as both the county seat and the gateway to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The Chickasaw NRA is the only national recreation area in Oklahoma and encompasses the natural springs, travertine streams, and woodlands that attracted visitors from across the region for more than a century. Named for William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray — president of the 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and the state’s ninth governor — the county was created at statehood from former Chickasaw Nation lands.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 13,904, Murray County is a small south-central Oklahoma county whose economic profile is shaped primarily by the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Chickasaw Nation employment, county and school district government, and modest I-35 corridor commercial activity. Davis (~2,700), northeast of Sulphur along I-35 on the edge of Turner Falls Park, provides additional commercial activity. The rental market is concentrated in Sulphur and is modest in scale, with rents typically ranging from $575 to $825 per month.
The ORLTA in Murray County
All residential rental relationships in Murray County are governed by the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORLTA), codified at Oklahoma Statutes Title 41. No local ordinances modify the ORLTA in Murray County. There is no rental licensing requirement and no rent control. For nonpayment, a five-day pay-or-quit notice (rent only — no late fees) is required before filing a FED. For other lease violations, a fifteen-day notice to cure or quit is required. Month-to-month tenancies require thirty days’ written notice. Non-emergency entry requires twenty-four hours’ advance notice. Security deposits have no cap but must be held in an FDIC-insured Oklahoma institution, with the 45-day return clock beginning only after termination, possession delivery, and a written tenant demand. Self-help eviction is prohibited statewide.
Eviction Procedure at the 20th Judicial District Court
FED actions in Murray County are filed at the Murray County Courthouse, 1001 W. Wyandotte, Sulphur, OK 73086, phone (580) 622-3223. Important: The courthouse has a one-hour lunch closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM — plan courthouse visits accordingly. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM. Murray County is part of Oklahoma’s 20th Judicial District, which also serves Carter (Ardmore), Johnston (Tishomingo), Love (Marietta), and Marshall (Madill) Counties. After the applicable notice period expires, the landlord files the FED petition, pays the filing fee, and is assigned a hearing date.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Murray County District Court at (580) 622-3223 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Murray County District Court at (580) 622-3223 for specific guidance. Courthouse closes for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM. Last updated: April 2026.
