For the purpose of this Subdivision Ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense shall include the future tense; words in the plural number shall include the singular number (and vice versa); and words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender (and vice versa). Definitions not expressly prescribed herein are to be determined in accordance with customary usage in municipal planning and engineering practices. The word "shall" is always mandatory, while the word "may" is merely discretionary.
A lot, tract or parcel of land lying within the corporate boundaries of the Town or its extraterritorial jurisdiction which is intended for the purpose of development.
The Town Administrator, or the Town Administrator's designated representative, authorized to enforce and administer the terms of this Subdivision Ordinance.
Any office referred to in this Subdivision Ordinance by title (i.e., Mayor, Town Administrator, Town Attorney, Town Secretary, Building Official, Town Engineer, etc.), shall be the person so retained in this position by the Town, or a duly authorized representative (i.e., designee). This definition shall also include engineering, planning, legal and/or other consultants retained by the Town to supplement or support existing Town Staff, as deemed appropriate by the Town.
A minor public right-of-way not intended to provide the primary means of access to abutting lots, which is used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or sides of properties otherwise abutting on a street. Alleys are prohibited for all residential and nonresidential developments.
A revised plat correcting errors or making minor changes to the original recorded Final Plat. Also termed "amending plat."
An improvement to be dedicated to the public or to the common ownership of the lot owners of the subdivision and providing an aesthetic, recreational or other benefit, other than those prescribed by this Subdivision Ordinance.
The person or entity responsible for the submission of an Application. The Applicant must be the actual owner of the property for which an Application is submitted or shall be a duly authorized representative of the property owner.
The flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year determined based upon FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) guidelines and as shown in the current effective Flood Insurance Study.
For a residential subdivision, that distance measured along the centerline of the street from the intersection center point of one through street (i.e., not a cul-de-sac or dead-end/looped street) to the intersecting center point of another; or to the midpoint of a cul-de-sac. Also termed "street length."
Any form of a surety bond in an amount and form satisfactory to the Town. May include but not limited to: Performance, payment, Maintenance Bonds (two years).
The area of a lot or site included within the surrounding exterior walls and supporting columns of a building. In the absence of surrounding exterior walls, the building footprint shall be the area under the horizontal projection of the roof. Building footprint area does not include patios and decks.
Authorization given by the Town of Copper Canyon to erect, construct, renovate, maintain, or conduct any other specified activity on any building or structure, or on any installations or facilities therein. The term BUILDING PERMIT shall include, but not be limited to, building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits.
Any building permit which is not exempt from these requirements of this ordinance as described in section 10.01.005(e)(2).
The line within a property defining the minimum horizontal distance between a building or other structure and the adjacent street (or property) line.
The official proposed schedule of all future public projects listed together with cost estimates and the anticipated means of financing each project, as adopted by Town Council.
Texas Local Government Code, chapter 245, as may be amended.
The maps or drawings accompanying a plat and showing the specific location and design of Public Improvements to be installed in the subdivision or addition in accordance with the requirements of the Town as a condition of approval of the plat.
Lots are contiguous when at least one boundary line of one lot touches a boundary line, or lines, of another lot.
The duly elected governing body of the Town of Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas.
A street having only one outlet to another street and terminated on the opposite end by a vehicular turnaround ("bulb"). The length of a cul-de-sac is to be measured from the intersection center point of the adjoining through street to the midpoint of the cul-de-sac bulb.
Consecutive number of days the Town of Copper Canyon is open, excluding weekends and Federal holidays.
Consecutive number of days including weekends.
A street, other than a cul-de-sac, with only one outlet.
A legal contract between the Town and a subdivider, owner, or developer.
A lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets; generally, a lot with front and rear street frontage.
Any building or structure, or part thereof, which is designed, used or intended to be used for human occupancy as the living quarters of one housekeeping unit or family.
The word "easement" shall mean an area for restricted use on private property upon which the Town and/or a public utility shall have the right to remove and keep removed all or part of any buildings, fences, trees, shrubs and/or other improvements or growths which in any way endanger or interfere with the construction, maintenance and/or efficiency of its respective systems within said easements. Public utilities shall, at all times, have the right of ingress and egress to and from and upon easements for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, inspecting, patrolling, maintaining and adding to or removing all or part of their respective systems without the necessity at any time of procuring the permission of anyone.
Those standards and specifications adopted by the Town to ensure proper installation of the improvements required by this Subdivision Ordinance.
A deposit of cash with the Town in accordance with Town policies.
The filing date is also known as the Initial Application Submission Date. It is the date when forms, fees, and copies of an Application are submitted and accepted for initial review by the Town Staff by action of issuance of a fee receipt by the Town, or on any other date deemed to be a filing date, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, chapter 245, as amended. The acceptance by the Town Staff of Application and issuance of a receipt for the filing fee does not indicate that the Town Staff has determined that the Application is complete nor does it certify that the Town Staff has determined that the Application meets the Town's codes and ordinances.
The one official and authentic map of any given subdivision of land prepared from actual field measurement and staking of all identifiable points by a surveyor or engineer, with the subdivision location referenced to a survey corner, and with all boundaries, corners and curves of the land division sufficiently described so that they can be reproduced without additional references. The Final Plat of any lot, tract or parcel of land shall be recorded in the records of Denton County, Texas. An Amending plat is also a Final Plat.
A contract entered into by the developer and the Town, by which the developer promises to complete the required Public Improvements within the subdivision or addition within a specified time period following Final Plat approval.
The date that an Application is initially submitted in writing to Town Staff for review. Acknowledgment of receipt by Town Staff does not constitute the Town Staff's conclusion that the Application is complete nor does it constitute any Town Staff decision regarding the Application.
Persons, including surveyors or engineers, who possess and can demonstrate a valid proficiency in the planning of residential, commercial, industrial and other related developments, such proficiency often having been acquired by education in the field of landscape architecture or other specialized planning curriculum, and/or by actual experience and practice in the field of land planning.
A divided or undivided tract or parcel of land having frontage on a public or private street, and which is, or which may in the future be, offered for sale, conveyance, transfer or improvement; which is designated as a distinct and separate tract; and which is identified by a tract or lot number or symbol in a duly approved subdivision plat which has been properly filed of record.
A residential lot that is part of a subdivision, the plat of which was recorded with Denton County, Texas, prior to the date of the Town's incorporation as a municipality, on April 23, 1973.
The phrase "Master Plan" shall mean the Master Plan of the Town and adjoining areas, as adopted by the Town Council and the Town's Planning and Zoning Commission, including all amendments thereto. This Master Plan indicates the general locations recommended for various land uses, transportation routes, public and private buildings, streets, parks, water/wastewater facilities, and other public and private developments and improvements.
A subdivision resulting in four or fewer lots, provided it does not require the approval of a variance, waiver, or exception.
A day specified on the Town's Development Calendar when the Town Staff will accept submittals of Applications.
The date upon which the Town Staff has accepted an Application as a complete application with all required documentation as determined by the Town Staff at its sole discretion.
"Off-site" facilities shall mean those facilities or improvements that are required to serve the site but that are not located within the boundaries of the plat. These include oversizing for streets, sewer lines, water lines and storm drainage facilities, as well as the excess capacity of facilities such as water storage tanks and wastewater treatment plants available for new development.
"On-site" shall mean those existing or proposed facilities or improvements constructed within the property boundaries of the plat. "On-site" shall also mean those existing or proposed facilities required to be constructed or improved immediately adjacent to the property and which are required to serve the development. These include streets, water lines, sewer lines, storm drainage facilities, curbs and gutters, and any other construction or reconstruction needed to serve the property.
Natural areas of land that provide areas for passive recreation and views of open territory uninterrupted by the built environment.
A street segment (or a cul-de-sac) which exceeds the maximum length allowed by this Subdivision Ordinance, as measured along the centerline of the street from the intersection center point of one through street (i.e., not a cul-de-sac or dead-end/looped street) to the intersecting center point of another (or to the midpoint of a cul-de-sac).
The portion of a street that is available for vehicular traffic. Where curbs are used, it is the portion from the back of one curb to the back of the opposite curb.
Any existing or planned street which abuts the subdivision or addition to be platted.
Has the meaning set forth in Texas Local Government Code, chapter 245, as may be amended.
Any individual, association, firm, corporation, governmental agency, or political subdivision.
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas. Also referred to and the same as "the Commission."
The graphic expression of the proposed overall plan for subdividing, improving and developing a tract, shown by superimposing a scale drawing of the proposed land division upon a topographic map and showing in plan view all existing and proposed drainage features and facilities, street layout, direction of curb flow and other pertinent features, with such notations as are sufficient to substantially identify the general scope and detail of the proposed development.
A roadway, drive, or access way that has not been accepted for maintenance by the Town of Copper Canyon and is not dedicated for public use. Private Streets, upon completion of a subdivision shall be maintained at the sole expense of the property owners or a property owners' association, and the Town assumes no responsibility for repair, maintenance, snow/ice control, or improvements. A Private Street shall not be deemed a Private Street until the subdivision development is deemed complete by the Town Engineer.
Private Streets must be constructed to Town standards in effect at the time of approval and shall be subject to the same construction inspection requirements as public streets. Contractors constructing Private Streets shall be required to furnish performance and maintenance bonds in the same manner and amount as required for public streets, guaranteeing completion of construction in accordance with Town standards and ensuring the maintenance of the improvements for the specified bond period.
As a condition of approval, the developer shall cause a property owners' association (POA/HOA) to be created and a declaration recorded in the Denton County property records assigning perpetual ownership, operation, and maintenance responsibility for all private streets and associated appurtenances to said association. The declaration shall clearly state that the Town will not accept, assume, or provide any responsibility for the maintenance, repair, or reconstruction of private streets.
Has the meaning set forth in Texas Local Government Code, chapter 245, as may be amended.
Has the meaning set forth in Texas Local Government Code, chapter 245, as may be amended.
Any Improvement, facility or service together with its associated public site, Right-of-Way or easement necessary to provide transportation, storm drainage, water or wastewater utilities, or similar essential public services and facilities, for which the Town or other municipal entities ultimately assumes the responsibility, upon a Letter of Final Acceptance being issued, for maintenance, operation and/or ownership.
Refer to any infrastructure and facilities that are constructed or dedicated for public use and are intended to serve a subdivision or development. These improvements are designed to provide essential services and promote public health, safety, and welfare. Public improvements typically include streets, alleys, sidewalks, drainage systems, water and sanitary sewer systems, street lighting, traffic control devices, signage, parks, open spaces, fences, and public easements or rights-of-way. Private Streets are Public Improvements until the subdivision/development is deemed complete by the Town Engineer. Once constructed in accordance with Town standards and accepted by the Town, these facilities become the responsibility of the Town or another public entity to maintain. Developers are generally required to install or financially guarantee these improvements through performance and maintenance bonds prior to final plat approval or the issuance of building permits.
"Replatting" (or to "replat") is the resubdivision of any part or all of a block or blocks of a previously platted subdivision, addition, lot, or tract.
The actual or proposed use of land for one or more buildings or structures which are designed or intended to be used, in whole or in part, for one or more dwelling units, for the occupation of a single-family unit but which are not motels or hotels.
A lot extending between, and having frontage on, an arterial street and a minor (residential) street, and with vehicular access solely from the latter.
A parcel of land occupied, or intended to be occupied, by a street. Where appropriate, "right-of-way" may include other facilities and utilities such as sidewalks; railroad crossings; electrical, communication, oil, and/or gas facilities; water or sanitary/storm sewer facilities; or for any other special use. The use of right-of-way shall also include parkways and medians outside of the paved portion of the street. The usage of the term "right-of-way" for land platting purposes shall mean that every right-of-way hereafter established and shown on a Final Plat is to be separate and distinct from the lots or parcels adjoining such right-of-way, and shall not be included within the dimensions or areas of such lots or parcels.
A right-of-way, however designated, which provides vehicular access to adjacent land. Streets may be of the following categories:
Major thoroughfares (arterial streets, primary thoroughfares, etc.) provide vehicular movement from one neighborhood to another, to distant points within the community, and/or to freeways or highways leading to other communities.
Collector streets ("feeder" streets, secondary thoroughfares, etc.) provide vehicular circulation within neighborhoods, and from local streets to major thoroughfares.
Local residential streets (minor thoroughfares or streets, etc.) are primarily for providing direct vehicular access to abutting residential property.
Any street or road constructed, owned, and maintained by the owner and/or owners at their expense. The Town shall have the right of ingress and egress over, to and from said streets/roads for purpose of inspecting and patrolling to insure the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants, without the necessity, at any time, of the procuring the permission of anyone. Private streets/roads shall meet the same minimum street specifications as required for public streets by the Town's EDS. Approved private streets/roads shall be maintained by the owner and/or owners and at their expense.
Any street or thoroughfare, together with all appurtenances required by Town regulations to be provided with such street or thoroughfare, and including but not limited to sidewalks, drainage facilities to be situated in the right-of-way for such street or thoroughfare, traffic-control devices, streetlights and street signs, for which facilities the Town will ultimately assume the responsibility for maintenance and operation.
The width of the right-of-way for any roadway is the shortest perpendicular distance between the lines which delineate the rights-of-way of the street.
Any person, firm, association, syndicate, partnership, corporation or other organization, or any agent thereof, dividing or proposing to divide land so as to constitute a subdivision as that term is defined herein. In any event, the term "subdivider" shall be restricted to include only the owner, equitable owner, or authorized agent of such owner or equitable owner, such as a developer, of land sought to be subdivided.
A division or redivision of any tract of land situated within the corporate limits, or within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of such limits, for the purpose of transfer of ownership; layout of any subdivision of any tract of land or addition; or for the layout of building lots or streets or other components for public use or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto.
An existing street or road that does not meet the minimum specifications in the Standard Street Specifications, and which is not constructed to the ultimate configuration for the type of roadway it is designated for on the Town's Thoroughfare Plan. A standard street is a street or road that meets or exceeds said standard specifications and its designation on the Town's Thoroughfare Plan.
A licensed land surveyor or a registered public surveyor, as authorized by Texas State statutes to practice the profession of surveying.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or its successor agency.
Improvements built and maintained by the property owner or subdivider that are needed to remedy a circumstance that is temporary in nature (e.g., a temporary drainage easement or erosion control device), and that will be removed upon completion of the subdivision or shortly thereafter (i.e., is not intended to be permanent).
The formal plan for the expansion or construction of thoroughfares and the dedication of right-of-way as adopted by ordinance or resolution by the Town.
The Town of Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas, together with all its governing and operating bodies.
The Town Council of the Town of Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas. Also referred to and the same as "the Council."
The Administrative Officials of the Town.
A marked or overland route, generally through woods or grasslands or a combination thereof, and used by pedestrians or for equestrian purposes, including the 40-foot-wide easement adjacent to and through Pilot Knoll Park dedicated to the Town by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for public recreational hiking and equestrian uses and any future extensions of the same.
The right of a person or entity to develop a project that complies only with ordinances and other development regulations in effect on the date a plan for development or the first application for the project was determined to be complete by the Town Staff.
(Ordinance 25-016 adopted 11/10/2025)