Who to Call First for Flooding in Denton, TX
Call Denton utilities dispatch at (940) 349-7000 for water or wastewater inquiries. Contact the Floodplain Administrator at (940) 349-8942 for floodplain advice.
Who to Call First in DentonDenton's Flood Zones: Creeks and Flood Maps
Denton's mapped flood hazard areas lie mainly along five named creeks and their tributaries: Cooper Creek, Pecan Creek, North Pecan Creek, Hickory Creek, and Dry Fork Hickory Creek. The city adopted updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) effective April 18, 2011, and June 19, 2020. The city describes these as the latest FEMA maps it has adopted, so they are the ones to check your address against before you plan repairs.
- Cooper Creek
- Pecan Creek
- North Pecan Creek
- Hickory Creek
- Dry Fork Hickory Creek
According to the city's flood protection information, any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal. Ask the Floodplain Administrator about your proposed work.
Who to Call for a Water or Wastewater Emergency
For any water or wastewater issue in Denton — a leak, a main break, a backup, or low pressure — call utilities dispatch at (940) 349-7000. For leaks, the City is responsible between the street and meter box; the homeowner is responsible between the meter box and drain.
- Leak between the street and the meter box: the City's responsibility. Call (940) 349-7000 to report it.
- Leak between the meter box and your drain: the homeowner's responsibility. Call a plumber as soon as possible.
- Billing or account questions: Customer Service, (940) 349-8700.
The city's own utilities FAQ states this split directly: the leak's location relative to the meter box decides who pays for and arranges the repair. For a general first-steps walkthrough after water gets into your home, see our main Denton water damage guide.
Who to Call About the Floodplain
Before you construct or place anything in a Denton floodplain, contact the Floodplain Administrator at (940) 349-8942 for advice. The Engineering Department is available, upon request, to make site visits and review your flood protection plans.
- Floodplain advice before construction or repair: Floodplain Administrator, (940) 349-8942.
- Site visit or flood protection plan review: request one through the Engineering Department.
- Any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal, per the city.
Denton participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A new NFIP policy normally has a 30-day waiting period, with exceptions, so this is not a call to make the day floodwater is already rising.
Substantial Damage and Building Permits
If your home sits in the floodplain and repair costs would equal or exceed 50% of its market value, the city treats that as substantial damage, and you need a permit from Building Inspections at (940) 349-8360, 401 N. Elm St. For general inspection or permit questions that are not about substantial damage, call (940) 349-8600.
| Question | Office to Call | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Is my floodplain repair "substantial damage" (at or over 50% of market value)? | Building Inspections, (940) 349-8360, 401 N. Elm St. | Checked: September 2026 |
| General inspection or permit question | Building Inspections, (940) 349-8600 | Checked: September 2026 |
| Do I need a permit before I build or place anything in the floodplain? | Floodplain Administrator, (940) 349-8942 | Checked: September 2026 |
Denton's published plumbing-permit rule sits on the city's commercial permits page, so it is not automatically the rule for a home repair. Ask Building Inspections directly whether your specific home repair needs a permit.
Ask Building Inspections which permits your proposed work requires. According to FEMA, "Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and any other items holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours," so see our guide to mold after water damage in Denton for what to dry out first and when a licensed company is required.
Emergency Alerts and Sirens
For information about Denton's sirens, contact the Office of Emergency Management at (940) 349-8836. This office is separate from utilities dispatch and the Floodplain Administrator, so save all three numbers rather than assuming one office can answer for another.
- For information about Denton's sirens, contact the Office of Emergency Management at (940) 349-8836.
- An active water or wastewater emergency: utilities dispatch, (940) 349-7000, not this office.
- A floodplain permit or advice question: the Floodplain Administrator, (940) 349-8942, not this office.
Flood Insurance Basics
Denton participates in the NFIP, and there is a 30-day waiting period before a new NFIP policy takes effect. Most standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage, so a separate NFIP or private flood policy is usually the only way to cover rising water in your home.
- Sudden, accidental water damage (like a burst pipe) is generally covered by most standard policies.
- Flood, continuous leakage or seepage, and mold (except when tied to a covered loss) are typically excluded.
- NFIP coverage normally begins 30 days after purchase, with exceptions; ask your agent about the effective date.
This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy wording controls what is and is not covered, per the Texas Department of Insurance.
If That Did Not Work
If your first call does not resolve the problem, do not assume no one is coming. Try the office again, try the specific office responsible for your particular issue, or move on to fixing the damage inside your home while the city side gets sorted out.
- Try again: if you could not reach the relevant office, call that office again.
- Try another route: for a leak between the meter box and your drain, contact a plumber — see how to handle a burst pipe or frozen pipe water damage in Denton next.
- Contact the Floodplain Administrator or Building Inspections directly if a permit or floodplain question is still unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number do I call for a water emergency in Denton?
Who answers floodplain questions for the City of Denton?
What counts as substantial damage in Denton's floodplain?
How do I find out if my Denton address is at risk?
Who handles storm sirens and emergency alerts in Denton?
How long is the wait for a new flood insurance policy?
Do I need a permit for a plumbing repair in Denton?
Which Denton number handles utility billing questions?
Water in your home right now?
See who to call first in Denton, how to reach your water provider, and how to check your flood zone.
Who to Call First in Denton