Environmental Rules in Denton, TX (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Denton, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Denton bills a drainage charge against every parcel of real property in the city under the state Municipal Drainage Utility Systems Act, funding the city's stormwater and drainage function as part of the wastewater utility.
Denton Charges a Citywide Drainage Utility Fee
Some RestrictionsSec. 26-130.
That the city council finds and directs that: (1)The city will establish a schedule of drainage charges against all real property in the proposed service area subject to charges under V.T.C.A. Local Government Code Subchapter C, §§ 402.041—402.054; (2)The city will provide drainage for all real property in the proposed service area on payment of drainage charges, except real property exempted u...
Erosion Control
Denton requires a permit before any clearing, grading, grubbing, stockpiling, excavating, or other earthwork, with a narrow exemption for disturbances under 25 cubic yards and 2,000 square feet outside floodplains and environmentally sensitive areas.
Denton Grading and Land-Disturbance Permit Required
Some RestrictionsDenton Development Code § 7.3.2 (Land-Disturbing Activities – Applicability, "Generally")
No person shall engage in any clearing, grading, grubbing, stockpiling, excavating, cutting, or other site earthwork without first obtaining the proper permit and/or authorization pursuant to Subchapter 2: Administration and Procedures, and any other applicable criteria manuals, ordinances, plans, policies, and city standards. ...
Flood Zones
Denton bars any construction, alteration, fill, or grading in a mapped floodway or floodplain until the city engineer issues a development permit under Chapter 30.
Denton Floodplain Development Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsSec. 30-3(6)
To restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flood... No permit shall be issued for the construction, alteration, or improvement of any property within a floodway or floodplain area, unless the permit shall comply with the terms hereof.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Denton requires new homes in the floodway fringe to sit at or above the city's minimum building elevation, a set freeboard above the base flood elevation.
Denton Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSec. 30-53(a).
Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure within the floodway fringe or within two hundred (200) feet of the floodplain or SFHA boundary shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at or above the minimum building elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a FEMA Elevation Certifi...
Looking for Denton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denton city rules.
Environmental Rules in Denton County →