The two districts west of the Square
Oak-Hickory runs along West Oak and West Hickory Streets from Carroll Boulevard to about Welch Street. Local guides describe a mix of Queen Anne, Prairie, Craftsman bungalow and Mid-Century Ranch houses, including the Evers Mansion.
The West Oak Area district sits just beyond it, on streets such as Oak, Jagoe, Marietta, Bradley and Thomas and the houses of Houston Place. Its homes range from early twentieth century Revival styles to Craftsman cottages and later Ranch houses.
What historic district rules mean for plumbing
Oak-Hickory, West Oak Area and Bell Avenue are the City of Denton's three local historic districts. The city requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior repairs and alterations, additions, demolitions and new construction on properties inside them.
Most plumbing work happens inside the house and does not change its exterior. When a job could change what the street sees, such as new exterior penetrations or work on porches and foundations, ask the city's historic preservation staff whether review applies before the work is booked.
Planning plumbing work in an older district home
These steps keep a job in a historic house simple.
- Describe the problem and the age of the house when you call, so the plumber arrives with the right parts and access tools.
- Ask where the pipe will be reached. Older houses often have plaster walls, crawlspaces or finished floors, and the access route affects cost.
- Find out whether any part of the job changes the exterior. If it does, contact the city about a Certificate of Appropriateness first.
- Keep original fixtures in mind. Vintage tubs and sinks can often be kept, but replacement parts may need to be sourced before the repair.
- Ask for the repair to be photographed while walls or floors are open, which helps with future work and resale.
Services for homes in the historic districts
Older drain lines under mature trees are a common reason for drain cleaning and sewer line repair calls anywhere in Denton. A camera inspection shows what is actually in the line before anyone digs.
For leaks inside walls or under floors, leak detection narrows the search so less plaster comes out. Original faucets and sinks are covered on the faucet and sink repair page. Historic review covers the exterior, while the plumbing itself still has to meet the 2021 IPC that Denton adopted in 2022.
Historic district plumbing questions
An interior repair is not an exterior alteration. The City of Denton requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior repairs and alterations in its local historic districts, so ask the city if any part of the job changes the outside of the house.
Often, yes. The plumber can replace supply lines, drains and valves around an original fixture, though some parts may have to be ordered. Ask about that when you call so the visit is planned around it.
The city lists properties designated as local landmarks, including those in the Denton Square District, as also needing a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work.