Denton, TX Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Issuing authority
- Code official
- Notice form
- Written, unless emergency
- Served on
- Owner, agent, or worker
- Penalty for defiance
- Fee per city fee schedule
- Citation
- Denton City Code Sec. 28-44
Summary
Denton's code official can halt construction work immediately with a stop-work order when it violates the building code or is unsafe, and continuing work after being served brings a fee under the city's schedule.
Upon notice from the code official that work that is being done contrary to the provisions of this Code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, such work shall immediately cease. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, or to the owner's agent, or to the person doing the work. The notice shall state the conditions under which work is authorized to resume. Where an emergency exists, the code official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work. Any person who shall continue any work on the system, in or about the structure after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable for a fee as set by the current schedule of fees adopted by ordinance of the city.
(Ord. No. 22-658, § 1, 4-5-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37 Update 1 | Development Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 28-44, when the code official finds work being done contrary to the adopted building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fuel gas codes, or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, the work must stop immediately. Notice is written and delivered to the property owner, owner's agent, or the person performing the work, and it must state what conditions allow work to resume. In an emergency, the code official can order the stop without giving written notice first. Anyone who keeps working after being served, other than work needed to fix the violation or unsafe condition, is liable for a fee under the city's adopted fee schedule.
Violations & Fines
Continuing work after a stop-work order, other than the corrective work needed to fix the violation, makes the owner, agent, or worker liable for a fee set by the city's adopted schedule of fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denton always give written notice before stopping work?
Can I keep working after a stop-work order to fix the problem?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas building safety overview
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Denton County handle building permits.