Denton, TX Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- General Agriculture
- Permitted by right, all districts
- Governing table
- DDC Table 5.2-A
- Operating standard
- DDC Section 5.3.5
- Hazard test
- Texas Ag Code Sec. 251.0055(a)(1)
- Reference manual
- Texas A&M AgriLife (TAC Sec. 251.007)
Summary
Denton's Development Code lists General Agriculture as a permitted by-right use in all 16 base zoning districts, and holds farming operations to the state Right to Farm Act's hazard standard instead of imposing a separate local permit.
General Agriculture
Operations shall be conducted in a manner that does not create any of the hazards listed in the Texas Agriculture Code (TAC) Subchapter 251.0055(a)(1) and shall be in accordance with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service manual provided for in TAC Subchapter 251.007.
Commercial Animal Service (Indoor and Outdoor) Generally:
When located inside of or within one thousand feet of a Residential Zoning District: Outdoor play/exercise areas shall not be located within 150 feet of any adjacent property unless such property is owned by the operator of the business. The outdoor play/exercise areas for all commercial animal service uses shall not be used after 9:00 p.m. No provision of this subsection is intended to prevent the provision and use of outdoor areas for animal relief.
Commercial Animal Service (Indoor)
Generally:
For all zoning districts in which the use is allowed by right or subject to approval of an SUP, except for the MN, MD, and MR zoning districts, if an outdoor play/exercise area is proposed then the equivalent of no more than 50% of the proposed business square footage (based on Floor Area) shall be allocated for outdoor play/exercise areas.
Denton, Texas - Denton Development Code 290
Full Breakdown
Table 5.2-A: Table of Allowed Uses marks "General Agriculture" with a "P" (permitted by right) across every base zoning district in the city, from residential to industrial, no Specific Use Permit is required anywhere. The use-specific standard in DDC Section 5.3.5 then sets the operating bar: farming operations must avoid the hazards listed in Texas Agriculture Code Subchapter 251.0055(a)(1), the state Right to Farm Act's nuisance-hazard list, and follow the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service manual referenced in TAC Subchapter 251.007, rather than a separate, stricter city standard.
Violations & Fines
Breaching the hazard-avoidance/AgriLife-manual standard is a Development Code use-standard violation subject to code enforcement action; it does not strip the property of its underlying by-right agricultural use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denton require a special zoning permit to farm?
What standard governs how a Denton farm must operate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas right to farm overview
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