diff --git a/drivers/serial/Kconfig b/drivers/serial/Kconfig
index a9fe9d234a8..dc6b1640e2f 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/serial/Kconfig
@@ -31,6 +31,21 @@ config SERIAL_SUPPORT_INTERRUPT
 	  This is an option to be enabled by individual serial driver
 	  to signal that the driver and hardware supports interrupts.
 
+config UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
+	bool "Enable runtime configuration for UART controllers"
+	default y
+	help
+	  Enable runtime configuration of UART controllers.
+	  This allows applications to call uart_configure() to
+	  configure the UART controllers at runtime, and calling
+	  uart_config_get() to retrieve configuration. If this is
+	  disabled, UART controllers rely on UART driver's
+	  initialization function to properly configure
+	  the controller.
+
+	  Say y if unsure. Disable this to reduce footprint for
+	  applications that do not require runtime UART configuration.
+
 config UART_ASYNC_API
 	bool "Enable new asynchronous UART API [EXPERIMENTAL]"
 	depends on SERIAL_SUPPORT_ASYNC
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_apbuart.c b/drivers/serial/uart_apbuart.c
index b9804b6ccb6..04e85aa31d3 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_apbuart.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_apbuart.c
@@ -199,6 +199,7 @@ static int apbuart_err_check(const struct device *dev)
 	return err;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int get_baud(volatile struct apbuart_regs *const regs)
 {
 	unsigned int core_clk_hz;
@@ -302,6 +303,7 @@ static int apbuart_config_get(const struct device *dev, struct uart_config *cfg)
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 static void apbuart_isr(const struct device *dev);
@@ -499,8 +501,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api apbuart_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in                = apbuart_poll_in,
 	.poll_out               = apbuart_poll_out,
 	.err_check              = apbuart_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure              = apbuart_configure,
 	.config_get             = apbuart_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill              = apbuart_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read              = apbuart_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_cc13xx_cc26xx.c b/drivers/serial/uart_cc13xx_cc26xx.c
index 4f0b71cc124..c96735a74d2 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_cc13xx_cc26xx.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_cc13xx_cc26xx.c
@@ -187,12 +187,14 @@ static int uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_configure(const struct device *dev,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 					 struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
 	*cfg = get_dev_data(dev)->uart_config;
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 
@@ -474,8 +476,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_poll_out,
 	.err_check = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = uart_cc13xx_cc26xx_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_esp32.c b/drivers/serial/uart_esp32.c
index 2d081187d1e..c4f7fe95819 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_esp32.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_esp32.c
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ static int uart_esp32_err_check(const struct device *dev)
 	return err;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_esp32_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				 struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -186,6 +187,7 @@ static int uart_esp32_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_esp32_set_baudrate(const struct device *dev, int baudrate)
 {
@@ -441,8 +443,10 @@ static const DRAM_ATTR struct uart_driver_api uart_esp32_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_esp32_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_esp32_poll_out,
 	.err_check = uart_esp32_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure =  uart_esp32_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_esp32_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_esp32_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = uart_esp32_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_lpc11u6x.c b/drivers/serial/uart_lpc11u6x.c
index 3bba4da6b11..f318aac79f7 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_lpc11u6x.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_lpc11u6x.c
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ static void lpc11u6x_uart0_config_baudrate(const struct device *clk_drv,
 	lpc11u6x_uart0_write_fdr(cfg->uart0, div, mul);
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int lpc11u6x_uart0_configure(const struct device *dev,
 				    const struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -199,6 +200,7 @@ static int lpc11u6x_uart0_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 static int lpc11u6x_uart0_fifo_fill(const struct device *dev,
@@ -416,8 +418,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart0_api = {
 	.poll_in = lpc11u6x_uart0_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = lpc11u6x_uart0_poll_out,
 	.err_check = lpc11u6x_uart0_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = lpc11u6x_uart0_configure,
 	.config_get = lpc11u6x_uart0_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = lpc11u6x_uart0_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = lpc11u6x_uart0_fifo_read,
@@ -518,6 +522,7 @@ static void lpc11u6x_uartx_config_baud(const struct lpc11u6x_uartx_config *cfg,
 	cfg->base->brg = div & LPC11U6X_UARTX_BRG_MASK;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int lpc11u6x_uartx_configure(const struct device *dev,
 				    const struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -622,6 +627,7 @@ static int lpc11u6x_uartx_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 static int lpc11u6x_uartx_fifo_fill(const struct device *dev,
@@ -847,8 +853,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uartx_api = {
 	.poll_in = lpc11u6x_uartx_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = lpc11u6x_uartx_poll_out,
 	.err_check = lpc11u6x_uartx_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = lpc11u6x_uartx_configure,
 	.config_get = lpc11u6x_uartx_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = lpc11u6x_uartx_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = lpc11u6x_uartx_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_mcux.c b/drivers/serial/uart_mcux.c
index b68fa337d55..011e85ee2d2 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_mcux.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_mcux.c
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ FSL_FEATURE_UART_HAS_STOP_BIT_CONFIG_SUPPORT
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_mcux_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ static int uart_mcux_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_mcux_poll_in(const struct device *dev, unsigned char *c)
 {
@@ -334,8 +336,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_mcux_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_mcux_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_mcux_poll_out,
 	.err_check = uart_mcux_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_mcux_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_mcux_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_mcux_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = uart_mcux_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_mcux_lpuart.c b/drivers/serial/uart_mcux_lpuart.c
index 7561f1417fa..f9836d0b3d4 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_mcux_lpuart.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_mcux_lpuart.c
@@ -319,6 +319,7 @@ static int mcux_lpuart_configure_init(const struct device *dev,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int mcux_lpuart_config_get(const struct device *dev, struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
 	struct mcux_lpuart_data *data = dev->data;
@@ -344,6 +345,7 @@ static int mcux_lpuart_configure(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int mcux_lpuart_init(const struct device *dev)
 {
@@ -371,8 +373,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api mcux_lpuart_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = mcux_lpuart_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = mcux_lpuart_poll_out,
 	.err_check = mcux_lpuart_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = mcux_lpuart_configure,
 	.config_get = mcux_lpuart_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = mcux_lpuart_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = mcux_lpuart_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uart.c b/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uart.c
index ed9c1c6ed67..6445ee221c6 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uart.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uart.c
@@ -389,13 +389,14 @@ static int uart_nrfx_configure(const struct device *dev,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_nrfx_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
 	*cfg = get_dev_data(dev)->uart_config;
 	return 0;
 }
-
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_0_ASYNC
 
@@ -1073,8 +1074,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_nrfx_uart_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in          = uart_nrfx_poll_in,
 	.poll_out         = uart_nrfx_poll_out,
 	.err_check        = uart_nrfx_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure        = uart_nrfx_configure,
 	.config_get       = uart_nrfx_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_0_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill        = uart_nrfx_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read        = uart_nrfx_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uarte.c b/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uarte.c
index 57c725c78f6..2c9eec14063 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uarte.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_nrfx_uarte.c
@@ -440,12 +440,14 @@ static int uarte_nrfx_configure(const struct device *dev,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uarte_nrfx_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				 struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
 	*cfg = get_dev_data(dev)->uart_config;
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 
 static int uarte_nrfx_err_check(const struct device *dev)
@@ -1597,8 +1599,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_nrfx_uarte_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in		= uarte_nrfx_poll_in,
 	.poll_out		= uarte_nrfx_poll_out,
 	.err_check		= uarte_nrfx_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure              = uarte_nrfx_configure,
 	.config_get             = uarte_nrfx_config_get,
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_ASYNC_API
 	.callback_set		= uarte_nrfx_callback_set,
 	.tx			= uarte_nrfx_tx,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c b/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
index 612d17490a8..d9ecd2c8c60 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_ns16550.c
@@ -479,6 +479,7 @@ out:
 	return ret;
 };
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_ns16550_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				   struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -492,6 +493,7 @@ static int uart_ns16550_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 /**
  * @brief Initialize individual UART port
@@ -949,8 +951,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_ns16550_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_ns16550_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_ns16550_poll_out,
 	.err_check = uart_ns16550_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_ns16550_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_ns16550_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 
 	.fifo_fill = uart_ns16550_fifo_fill,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_nuvoton.c b/drivers/serial/uart_nuvoton.c
index a47d9266904..a522d36ca8c 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_nuvoton.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_nuvoton.c
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ static inline uint32_t uart_numicro_convert_parity(enum uart_config_parity parit
 	}
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_numicro_configure(const struct device *dev,
 				  const struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -145,6 +146,7 @@ static int uart_numicro_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_numicro_init(const struct device *dev)
 {
@@ -178,8 +180,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_numicro_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in          = uart_numicro_poll_in,
 	.poll_out         = uart_numicro_poll_out,
 	.err_check        = uart_numicro_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure        = uart_numicro_configure,
 	.config_get       = uart_numicro_config_get,
+#endif
 };
 
 #define NUMICRO_INIT(index)						\
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_rcar.c b/drivers/serial/uart_rcar.c
index 7ba0a13b0ed..a8daad85e97 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_rcar.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_rcar.c
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ static int uart_rcar_configure(const struct device *dev,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_rcar_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 				struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -237,6 +238,7 @@ static int uart_rcar_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_rcar_init(const struct device *dev)
 {
@@ -263,8 +265,10 @@ static int uart_rcar_init(const struct device *dev)
 static const struct uart_driver_api uart_rcar_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_rcar_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_rcar_poll_out,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_rcar_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_rcar_config_get,
+#endif
 };
 
 /* Device Instantiation */
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_sam0.c b/drivers/serial/uart_sam0.c
index 01ddf73478b..7c01e0f28ed 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_sam0.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_sam0.c
@@ -401,6 +401,7 @@ static void uart_sam0_rx_timeout(struct k_work *work)
 
 #endif
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_sam0_configure(const struct device *dev,
 			       const struct uart_config *new_cfg)
 {
@@ -513,6 +514,7 @@ static int uart_sam0_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_sam0_init(const struct device *dev)
 {
@@ -1115,8 +1117,10 @@ static int uart_sam0_rx_disable(const struct device *dev)
 static const struct uart_driver_api uart_sam0_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_sam0_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_sam0_poll_out,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_sam0_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_sam0_config_get,
+#endif
 	.err_check = uart_sam0_err_check,
 #if CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_sam0_fifo_fill,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_stm32.c b/drivers/serial/uart_stm32.c
index fb82a3ed143..8c543cae9fb 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_stm32.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_stm32.c
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ static inline enum uart_config_flow_control uart_stm32_ll2cfg_hwctrl(uint32_t fc
 	return UART_CFG_FLOW_CTRL_NONE;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 static int uart_stm32_configure(const struct device *dev,
 				const struct uart_config *cfg)
 {
@@ -425,6 +426,7 @@ static int uart_stm32_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 		uart_stm32_get_hwctrl(dev));
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 static int uart_stm32_poll_in(const struct device *dev, unsigned char *c)
 {
@@ -1290,8 +1292,10 @@ static const struct uart_driver_api uart_stm32_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_stm32_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_stm32_poll_out,
 	.err_check = uart_stm32_err_check,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_stm32_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_stm32_config_get,
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_stm32_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = uart_stm32_fifo_read,
diff --git a/drivers/serial/uart_xlnx_ps.c b/drivers/serial/uart_xlnx_ps.c
index 7e0c4f44b2e..628ffbe164e 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/uart_xlnx_ps.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/uart_xlnx_ps.c
@@ -583,6 +583,7 @@ static inline bool uart_xlnx_ps_cfg2ll_hwctrl(
 	return true;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 /**
  * @brief Configures the UART device at run-time.
  *
@@ -639,6 +640,7 @@ static int uart_xlnx_ps_configure(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 };
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 /**
  * @brief Converts a Mode Register bit mask to a parity configuration
@@ -787,6 +789,7 @@ static inline enum uart_config_flow_control uart_xlnx_ps_ll2cfg_hwctrl(
 	return UART_CFG_FLOW_CTRL_NONE;
 }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 /**
  * @brief Returns the current configuration of the UART at run-time.
  *
@@ -824,6 +827,7 @@ static int uart_xlnx_ps_config_get(const struct device *dev,
 
 	return 0;
 }
+#endif /* CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE */
 
 #if CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 
@@ -1147,8 +1151,10 @@ static void uart_xlnx_ps_isr(const struct device *dev)
 static const struct uart_driver_api uart_xlnx_ps_driver_api = {
 	.poll_in = uart_xlnx_ps_poll_in,
 	.poll_out = uart_xlnx_ps_poll_out,
+#ifdef CONFIG_UART_USE_RUNTIME_CONFIGURE
 	.configure = uart_xlnx_ps_configure,
 	.config_get = uart_xlnx_ps_config_get,
+#endif
 #ifdef CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN
 	.fifo_fill = uart_xlnx_ps_fifo_fill,
 	.fifo_read = uart_xlnx_ps_fifo_read,