101 local rules on file · Pop. 6,529 · Denton County
Showing ordinances that apply to Savannah, TX
Savannah is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 6,529 in Denton County, Texas. Because Savannah is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Denton County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Denton County may have different rules.
Denton County has no breed-specific legislation. Texas state law under Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 uses a behavior-based dangerous dog approach rather than breed bans. No breed is prohibited in unincorporated Denton County.
Denton County does not regulate beekeeping. State law under TX Ag Code Chapter 131 requires free annual registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Denton County ordinances.
Unincorporated Denton County does not restrict chickens, livestock, or poultry on private property. As a closed-range county, livestock owners must fence in their animals. Horse and cattle operations are common throughout north Denton County.
Denton County regulates driveway access points that connect to county-maintained roads through the Public Works Department. No county ordinance governs driveway materials, width, or parking surfaces on private property in unincorporated areas.
Unincorporated Denton County has no overnight parking ordinance. Vehicles may be parked on private property indefinitely without county restriction. Overnight parking on county roads is permitted unless posted otherwise or creating a hazard.
Abandoned vehicles in unincorporated Denton County are handled under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683. Vehicles left on public property or rights-of-way for more than 48 hours may be tagged and towed. Junked vehicles on private property may be addressed through county nuisance abatement.
Street parking on county-maintained roads in unincorporated Denton County is generally unrestricted. The county may post no-parking signs on specific roads for safety reasons. Rural roads typically lack curbs, sidewalks, and marked parking areas.
Denton County has no ordinance addressing electric vehicle charging in unincorporated areas. Texas Occupations Code 2157 prohibits HOAs from banning EV charger installation in owner parking spaces. Installation on private property follows standard electrical permit requirements.
Denton County does not restrict commercial vehicle parking on private property in unincorporated areas. Semi-trucks, work trucks, and equipment trailers may be stored on residential acreage without county permits. HOA restrictions are the primary limitation in subdivisions.
Unincorporated Denton County has no ordinance restricting RV or boat parking on residential property. Storage of recreational vehicles, horse trailers, and boats is common in rural areas and regulated primarily by HOA deed restrictions in subdivisions.
Denton County has no weed abatement ordinance. Texas counties lack property maintenance authority. TDA manages noxious weeds under TX Ag Code Chapter 71.
Denton County has no landscaping requirements. TX Property Code 202.007 protects drought-resistant native plants from HOA bans. No county permits needed.
Denton County has no grass height or mowing ordinance. Texas counties cannot enact property maintenance codes. Only HOAs and cities enforce lawn standards.
Water restrictions depend on your provider, not Denton County. Most utilities follow TCEQ four-stage drought plans. Private wells are not subject to municipal orders.
Denton County has no tree removal ordinance. Property owners may remove trees without permits, mitigation, or replanting. No county-protected species exist.
Denton County has no artificial turf regulations. TX Property Code 202.007 limits HOA restrictions on water-conserving landscaping. No county permits needed.
Denton County does not regulate tree trimming on private property. No permits or notification required. County crews trim trees on road rights-of-way for safety.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Texas. TX Property Code 202.007 bars HOA bans. Equipment is sales-tax exempt. No county permits required.
Carports in Denton County typically require a building permit and must comply with local zoning setback and height requirements. Most cities allow carports in rear and side yards but restrict or prohibit front-yard carports in residential zones, particularly in newer subdivisions.
Tiny homes in Denton County face different regulations depending on whether they are on a permanent foundation or on wheels. Foundation-based tiny homes must meet the International Residential Code adopted by local jurisdictions, while tiny homes on wheels are typically classified as RVs and face restrictions on permanent residential occupancy.
Garage conversions in Denton County require building permits and must meet residential building code standards for habitable space. Most cities in the county require that minimum off-street parking requirements be maintained, which can limit or prevent garage conversions on properties without alternative parking.
Sheds and storage buildings in Denton County generally require a building permit when they exceed 120 to 200 square feet, depending on the city. Smaller sheds may be exempt from permits but must still comply with zoning setback requirements and height limits set by the local jurisdiction.
Accessory dwelling units in Denton County are regulated by individual city zoning ordinances rather than a countywide policy. Texas passed HB 2090 in 2023 encouraging ADU development, but local zoning controls still determine whether ADUs are permitted in specific residential zones within Denton County municipalities.
Short-term rental operators in unincorporated Denton County must collect and remit state hotel occupancy tax (6%) and any adopted county hotel occupancy tax under Texas Tax Code Chapter 352. No county STR licensing fees apply, but tax compliance is mandatory.
Denton County has no insurance requirements for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas state law does not mandate STR-specific insurance. STR platforms provide some host liability coverage, but separate commercial or landlord insurance is strongly recommended.
Denton County has no nighttime caps, guest curfews, or after-hours restrictions for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot regulate STR operations or impose time-of-day guest restrictions. HOAs may have relevant provisions.
Denton County has no parking regulations for short-term rentals or residential properties in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot regulate parking through zoning. HOA deed restrictions may limit guest parking, street parking, and vehicle counts.
Denton County has no occupancy limits specific to short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. The county cannot regulate STR guest counts through zoning. Building code occupancy standards and fire marshal capacity limits for structures apply generally.
Denton County has no STR registration requirement for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot require STR registration, licensing, or listing verification. Operators must register with the Texas Comptroller for hotel occupancy tax purposes only.
Denton County has no short-term rental permit requirement for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority to regulate STR operations. Property owners in unincorporated areas may operate STRs without a county permit, though state tax registration is required.
Denton County has no STR-specific noise rules for unincorporated areas. General noise enforcement through Texas Penal Code 42.01 applies equally to STR guests and all other residents. No county noise curfew or STR noise management plan is required.
Home daycares are regulated by HHSC, not Denton County. Listed homes serve 1-3 children; licensed homes serve 4-12. No county permits required.
Denton County has no sign ordinance for unincorporated areas. No county permits required. TxDOT regulates signs visible from state highways.
Denton County does not issue home occupation permits. Texas counties have no zoning or business licensing authority. Only state-level registrations apply.
Denton County cannot regulate customer traffic to home businesses. Texas counties lack zoning authority. Only HOA deed restrictions limit commercial visits.
TX HSC Chapter 437 allows home-based food sales up to $50,000/year without permits, inspections, or commercial kitchens. Denton County adds no extra rules.
Texas counties cannot zone. Denton County has no zoning ordinance, so there are no use-based restrictions on home businesses in unincorporated areas.
Aircraft noise in Denton County is regulated exclusively by the FAA under federal preemption. Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO) and proximity to DFW International Airport generate significant air traffic. The county has no authority to regulate aircraft noise or flight paths.
Denton County has no leaf blower ordinance or restrictions for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority to regulate landscaping equipment noise. Leaf blowers may be used at any time without county restriction.
Denton County has no outdoor music ordinance for unincorporated areas. Outdoor concerts, live music events, and festival noise are not regulated at the county level. Only Texas Penal Code 42.01 applies in extreme cases.
Denton County has no decibel limits or quantitative noise standards for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot establish noise measurement thresholds. The only noise enforcement is the subjective unreasonable noise standard under Texas Penal Code 42.01.
Denton County has no industrial noise ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot zone or regulate commercial and industrial noise levels. Industrial operations near residential ranchettes are common in the fast-growing north DFW corridor.
Denton County has no amplified music ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack authority to regulate music volume or sound amplification. Extremely loud amplified music may only be addressed under Texas Penal Code 42.01 as disorderly conduct.
Denton County has no construction hour restrictions for unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot regulate construction timing through zoning. Rapid growth near Northlake, Argyle, and Cross Roads means frequent construction, but no county-level hour limits apply.
Denton County has no county noise ordinance or designated quiet hours for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general zoning and noise-regulation authority under state law. Noise complaints are handled solely under Texas Penal Code 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct) by the Denton County Sheriff.
Denton County has no barking dog ordinance for unincorporated areas. The county does not enforce leash laws or domestic animal noise restrictions. Denton County Animal Services handles stray and dangerous dog cases under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822.
Denton County Fire Marshal promotes defensible space and brush clearance in unincorporated areas, especially during wildfire season. Texas counties have limited authority to mandate vegetation management but can enforce fire safety standards. The cross-timbers ecosystem and grasslands create seasonal wildfire risk.
Northern and western Denton County contains significant wildland-urban interface areas where grasslands and oak woodlands meet rural subdivisions. The Texas A&M Forest Service maps wildfire risk zones and supports defensible space planning through Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 766 requires working smoke detectors in all residential rental properties. Denton County follows state law since it lacks authority to impose additional requirements in unincorporated areas. Landlords must install and maintain detectors in rental units.
Fireworks are generally legal in unincorporated Denton County under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154. The county can restrict fireworks during drought conditions through burn bans. Incorporated cities may ban fireworks within their limits, but unincorporated areas follow state law.
Recreational backyard fires are generally permitted in unincorporated Denton County when no burn ban is active. Gas and propane fire pits are exempt from burn bans. Wood-burning fire pits must meet TCEQ requirements and stay attended at all times.
The Denton County Fire Marshal regulates outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. Recreational fire pits are generally allowed but subject to county burn bans during drought conditions. The Fire Marshal issues burn bans through Commissioners Court that carry criminal penalties.
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Denton County is regulated by TCEQ 30 TAC 111.209 and county burn bans issued by the Commissioners Court. Burn bans are common during dry summer months and carry Class C misdemeanor penalties for violations.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 establishes minimum pool barrier requirements statewide. Residential pools must have a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Denton County follows state law in unincorporated areas.
Denton County does not require permits for residential retaining walls in unincorporated areas. Walls affecting county drainage or located in floodplains may need review by Public Works. There is no county height limit for retaining walls.
Denton County imposes no general fence requirements in unincorporated areas. There is no mandatory fencing for residential properties. Agricultural operations in this closed-range county must fence in livestock under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 143.
Denton County does not require fence permits in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning and building code authority for residential fencing. Property owners may build fences without county approval unless they affect county road rights-of-way or floodplains.
Unincorporated Denton County has no fence height ordinance. Property owners may build fences of any height on their own land without county approval. HOA deed restrictions in subdivisions typically limit fences to 6 feet in rear yards and 4 feet in front yards.
Denton County has no ordinance restricting fence materials in unincorporated areas. Property owners may use any fencing material including wood, metal, wire, chain link, pipe, stone, or vinyl. HOAs commonly restrict materials in subdivisions.
Denton County has no good-neighbor fence ordinance. Texas has no state statute requiring shared fence costs between neighbors. Boundary fences and disputes are governed by common law and resolved through civil courts.
Denton County does not require pool construction permits in unincorporated areas. No county barrier or electrical inspection requirements. Public pools follow TX HSC Chapter 341.
Above-ground pools in Denton County must meet the same barrier and safety standards as in-ground pools under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757. Pools with walls at least 48 inches high may use the pool wall itself as part of the required barrier, but access points such as ladders must be removable or lockable.
Hot tubs and spas in Denton County must comply with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 barrier requirements if they hold water 18 inches or deeper. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standards may substitute for a separate fence enclosure in many local jurisdictions within the county.
Denton County follows Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757, which requires residential pools to have barrier fencing at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Cities within Denton County such as Denton, Lewisville, and Flower Mound enforce these requirements through local building codes that often meet or exceed state minimums.
Denton County enforces pool safety standards based on Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code adopted by local jurisdictions. Residential pools must have compliant drain covers, rescue equipment access, and proper chemical storage to meet inspection requirements.
Recreational drone operations in Denton County are governed primarily by FAA regulations and Texas Government Code Chapter 423, which restricts drone surveillance of private property. Denton County does not have a county-level drone ordinance. Recreational pilots must register drones over 0.55 pounds with the FAA, pass the TRUST recreational knowledge test, and follow FAA rules including 400-foot altitude limits and visual line-of-sight requirements. Significant portions of Denton County fall within DFW Class B airspace and Alliance Airport (AFW) Class D airspace, requiring LAANC authorization before flight.
Commercial drone operations in Denton County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Denton County does not have a county-level commercial drone ordinance. Commercial pilots must comply with FAA Part 107 regulations including altitude limits, airspace authorizations, and operational restrictions. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 permits certain commercial uses including real estate photography, oil and gas pipeline inspection, and agricultural operations but restricts surveillance of private property. Much of Denton County falls within controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization.
Denton County does not require permits for door-to-door solicitors, peddlers, or canvassers in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack the general ordinance-making authority to create solicitor licensing or permitting programs. Solicitors operating in unincorporated Denton County are subject to Texas Penal Code provisions on trespassing and criminal solicitation but face no county-level registration or permit requirements. Most cities within Denton County require solicitor permits within their jurisdictions, and HOA communities commonly restrict or prohibit unsolicited door-to-door activity.
Denton County has no ordinance establishing a no-knock registry or enhanced no-soliciting enforcement in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot create no-knock registries or solicitor restriction programs. Residents rely on Texas Penal Code Section 30.05 criminal trespass law and posted No Soliciting signage to deter unwanted visitors. HOA communities throughout Denton County commonly enforce no-soliciting policies through gate access controls, posted community signage, and CC&R enforcement.
Denton County has no ordinance addressing light trespass or light spill from one property to another in unincorporated areas. Texas counties cannot enact lighting regulations under their limited constitutional authority. Residents experiencing intrusive lighting from neighboring properties in unincorporated Denton County have no county code enforcement remedy and must rely on civil nuisance claims or HOA enforcement where applicable.
Denton County does not have a dark sky ordinance or countywide outdoor lighting regulations for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general ordinance-making authority to regulate residential or commercial lighting. The International Dark-Sky Association has no certified Dark Sky Communities in Denton County. Some cities within the county and individual HOA communities have adopted lighting standards, but there is no county-level requirement for shielded fixtures, color temperature limits, or curfew-based lighting controls.
Home cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Denton County and throughout Texas. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 classifies marijuana as a Penalty Group substance, and growing any amount is a felony offense. There are no local exceptions or home grow provisions anywhere in the state.
Texas allows only three licensed Compassionate Use Program dispensing organizations statewide, and none are currently located in Denton County. Dispensary zoning is effectively a non-issue locally because the state program is extremely limited, capped at a small number of licensees, and restricted to low-THC cannabis products.
Garage sale signs in Denton County are regulated by local city sign ordinances. Most cities allow temporary garage sale signs on private property without a permit but prohibit signs on utility poles, traffic signs, and in medians. Signs in the public right-of-way are typically restricted or require removal immediately after the sale.
Texas Property Code 202.009 protects the right to display political signs in Denton County. HOAs cannot prohibit political signs beginning 90 days before an election through 10 days after. Cities may regulate sign size and placement in public rights-of-way but cannot restrict political speech on private property.
Holiday displays in Denton County are generally permitted on private residential property with few restrictions. Most cities do not regulate seasonal decorations on private property, though displays that create traffic hazards or electrical safety issues may be subject to code enforcement. HOAs may impose time limits on how long decorations can remain up.
Denton County enforces stormwater management through its MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Construction projects disturbing one acre or more require a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and compliance with the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit.
Denton County requires erosion and sediment control measures on all construction sites. Projects disturbing one acre or more must file a TPDES notice of intent and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan with specific best management practices to prevent sediment from leaving the site.
Denton County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain development regulations throughout its jurisdiction. Construction in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain development permit, and structures must be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
Denton County and its cities require grading permits for land-disturbing activities and enforce drainage standards to prevent stormwater runoff from adversely affecting neighboring properties. Development must maintain predevelopment drainage patterns or provide engineered solutions to handle increased runoff.
Denton County does not have countywide trash bin storage or placement ordinances for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general ordinance-making authority under the Texas Constitution, so no county code regulates when bins must be brought in or where they must be stored. Waste collection in unincorporated Denton County is handled by private haulers contracted by individual property owners. HOA covenants in master-planned communities such as those near Argyle, Northlake, and Cross Roads often impose strict bin storage requirements that exceed any municipal standard.
Denton County has limited authority to regulate vacant lot conditions in unincorporated areas. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343, the county can require owners to maintain vacant lots free of conditions that create public health hazards such as accumulated refuse, stagnant water, or dense brush harboring vermin. The county cannot impose mowing schedules, aesthetic standards, or development timelines on vacant parcels. Rapid development in north Denton County near Celina, Aubrey, and Prosper makes vacant lot maintenance increasingly relevant.
Denton County has no snow or ice removal ordinance for sidewalks or public areas. North Texas receives measurable snowfall only a few times per decade on average, and the county lacks the general ordinance-making authority to impose sidewalk clearing obligations. When winter weather events occur, Denton County Public Works focuses on clearing county roads and bridges. Property owners in unincorporated areas have no legal obligation to clear sidewalks or driveways of snow and ice at the county level.
Denton County does not regulate garage sales, yard sales, or estate sales in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack the general ordinance-making power to impose permit requirements, frequency limits, or signage restrictions on residential sales. Property owners in unincorporated Denton County may hold garage sales without obtaining county permits. Cities within Denton County each have their own garage sale regulations that apply within city limits.
Denton County has limited authority to address property blight in unincorporated areas. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 (Abatement of Public Nuisances) grants counties authority to require removal of rubbish, brush, and unsanitary conditions that pose a health hazard. Denton County Code Compliance investigates complaints about junked vehicles, accumulated refuse, and overgrown lots in unincorporated areas, but the county cannot enforce the same range of property appearance standards that cities maintain.
Denton County does not operate a countywide trash collection service for unincorporated areas. Property owners in unincorporated Denton County must arrange their own trash pickup through private waste haulers. There is no county-mandated collection schedule, no county-provided bins, and no universal service requirement. Common private haulers serving the area include Republic Services, Waste Connections, and Community Waste Disposal. Cities within the county operate their own collection services or franchise agreements.
Denton County has no ordinance regulating trash bin placement for collection day in unincorporated areas. Bin placement requirements are determined by the individual private waste hauler contract and any applicable HOA CC&Rs. The county does not specify setback distances from the curb, placement timing, or retrieval deadlines. Master-planned communities throughout Denton County commonly impose same-day retrieval requirements and specific bin positioning standards through their HOA rules.
Denton County does not mandate recycling in unincorporated areas. There is no county recycling ordinance, no county-provided recycling bins, and no mandatory recycling program. Recycling availability depends on your private waste hauler and proximity to drop-off locations. Some cities within the county operate curbside recycling programs, and the City of Denton Recycling Center accepts materials from county residents. Texas does not have a statewide mandatory recycling law.
Denton County does not provide bulk waste collection service in unincorporated areas but does operate household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events and provides access to the Denton County Landfill. Property owners must arrange bulk item disposal through their private hauler (often for an additional fee) or haul items to the landfill or transfer station themselves. The Denton County Household Hazardous Waste program accepts paints, chemicals, electronics, and other hazardous materials at scheduled events throughout the year.
Denton County and Texas do not have just cause eviction requirements. Texas is a landlord-friendly state where a property owner may decline to renew a lease for any reason or no reason at all. A landlord may terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice under Texas Property Code without stating a reason. No city or county in Texas has adopted a just cause eviction ordinance, and state preemption under Local Government Code Section 214.902 likely prevents any such local regulation.
Rent control is prohibited in Denton County and throughout Texas. Texas Local Government Code Section 214.902 expressly preempts all local governments — cities and counties — from adopting rent control ordinances. Landlords in Denton County may set rental rates at any amount the market will bear and may increase rent by any amount upon lease renewal or with proper notice for month-to-month tenancies. No local government in Texas can limit, regulate, or control the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property.
Denton County does not require rental property registration in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack the general ordinance-making authority to create rental registration or licensing programs. Landlords renting single-family homes, duplexes, or other residential properties in unincorporated Denton County do not need to obtain a rental permit, register their property, or pay a registration fee to the county. Some cities within Denton County may have rental registration requirements within their municipal jurisdictions.
Solar panel installations in Denton County require building and electrical permits from the local city or county building department. Texas Property Code 202.010 prohibits HOAs from banning solar panels, providing strong statewide protections for homeowners who want to install solar energy systems.
Texas Property Code 202.010 (originally SB 398) strongly protects homeowners in Denton County from HOA restrictions on solar panels. HOAs cannot prohibit solar energy devices and can only impose narrow aesthetic requirements that do not increase cost by more than 25 percent or decrease efficiency by more than 10 percent.
Denton County does not designate food truck vending zones or restrict mobile food vendor locations in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas, so there are no designated zones, prohibited zones, or distance requirements from existing restaurants or schools. Food trucks may operate on private property with owner permission throughout unincorporated Denton County. Cities within the county establish their own vending zones and restrictions within their jurisdictions.
Denton County does not issue food truck operating permits for unincorporated areas. Food trucks and mobile food vendors operating in unincorporated Denton County must obtain a Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) mobile food establishment permit and a Denton County Health Department food handlers permit. The county does not regulate where food trucks may park or operate in unincorporated areas beyond health and safety standards. Cities within the county each have their own food truck permitting requirements.