Land Development

Step 1: Feasibility

All applicants are strongly encouraged to request a pre-application conference. During these meetings, applicants will be assigned a development facilitator who will serve as their primary point of contact for the duration of the projects. Pre-application conferences help applicants to navigate the development process and provide an overview of the development process and application requirements.

To request a Utility Will Serve letter for your project, fill out and submit the completed Will Serve Letter Checklist (PDF). Email the completed checklist and a vicinity map or site plan as PDF documents to the Denton Planning Technicians. You will receive an email confirmation of your request. Once confirmation is sent, a completed letter will be sent 5 to 10 business days later. This is only for City-owned utilities, you can find list of contact information for other common utility companies in this franchise utilities list.

General Development Considerations

Please call (940) 349-7716 or email the Denton Planning Technicians for general development feasibility questions related to:

• Land use
• Landscaping standards
• Platting
• Tree code requirements
• Zoning

Step 2: Applications and Checklists

All applications submitted for review require fee payment and must be accompanied by all items listed in the applicable project checklist. Late fee payment and missing application items may result in delayed submittal review. Applications are accepted online and in person. If submitting application in person, please deliver to 401 N. Elm St.

Applications are only accepted on specific submittal dates**. Please select the appropriate submittal schedule (found on the Land Development page) when preparing and submitting your applications.

**Effective June 1, 2022: All project applications must be applied for by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays following the project submittal schedule.  If you experience any issues during the submittal process, please contact Planning Technicians at (940) 349-7716 or [email protected].

Application Materials

The following checklists outline the required materials for each application type. All development review applications require an owner authorization form. Applicants will receive details on required application types during their pre-application conference.

Major Applications

• Development Application (Required for All Applications) (PDF)
• Owner Authorization Form (Required for All Applications) (PDF)

Other Applications & Worksheets

• eTRAKiT Submittal Video

Online Applications

Notice: the City of Denton has upgraded software and consolidated the customer portal to a single solution in eTRAKiT. ProjectDox will no longer be used for uploading plans. For assistance in submitting your project, you can view the eTRAKiT submittal video.

If you have any questions, please send us an email or call (940) 349-8360.

Ways to Pay Your Application Fee

• Online through e-TRAKiT
• Over the phone by calling (940) 349-8360
• In person at the Development Services Center located at 401 N Elm Street

Please note all fees must be paid in order for staff to continue processing your development review submittal. If you miss the deadline, your initial development review request will be deemed incomplete.

Step 3: Pre-Construction

The Pre-Construction phase includes the submission and approval of Development Contracts and the Pre-Construction Meeting where City staff provides applicants with clear direction on remaining requirements to construct.

For most projects, once the final plat is approved, your assigned development facilitator will contact you to schedule a pre-construction meeting. Once your development contracts have been fully executed and all impact fees have been paid, your notice to proceed will be issued so that permitting and construction can begin.

Development contracts include three-way agreements and hold-harmless agreements for public improvements associated with the project. Please contact your development facilitator for additional information.

Contract Guide & Templates

• Development Contract Checklist (PDF)
• Development Contract Template (PDF)
• Exhibit A Template (XLSX)
• Insurance and Workers' Compensation Requirements (PDF)
• Noise Ordinance Special Permit (PDF)

Step 4: Permitting, Construction & Inspections

Once building permits are issued, construction commences and inspections are conducted by both Public Works Inspections and Building Inspections. Applicable information requests are responded to and change orders are reviewed and approved. At the conclusion of this stage, final walk-throughs will be scheduled to ensure all punch list items have been addressed.

For additional information on permitting, visit our Permits and Licenses page.

Inspections conducted by the Building Safety Division for structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections should be scheduled online using the eTRAKiT Inspection Request Portal.

Step 5: Project Completion

Inspectors conduct final site inspection and acceptance of public infrastructure followed by submission of As-Built Drawings. Public Works Inspections will issue a final project completion letter to the applicant and Building Safety will issue the Certificate of Occupancy.