Answers to Key Questions about Residential and Commercial Building and Renovations in Old Town Lewisville
Below is a list of questions that address building a new building or renovating an existing building in Old Town Lewisville. Please click on each question to be taken to the answer for that question.
Q. Are there different ordinances for residential and commercial buildings in Old Town?
Q. Why are there regulations in Old Town Lewisville that are different from the rest of the city?
Q. For the purposes of the Old Town Development Ordinance, what area of the city is considered “Old Town”?
Q. Which repairs to my home/business require a building permit?
Q. What is an Old Town Development Plan?
Q. When is an Old Town Development Plan required to be submitted with my building permit?
Q. What is the Old Town Design Review Committee?
Q. What information do I need to provide to the Old Town Design Review Committee for my project?
Q. What types of building materials may I use for the exterior of my home or commercial building?
Q. Can I use vinyl or aluminum siding? What about stucco?
Q. Are building colors restricted in Old Town?
Q. How do I know if the design for my renovation or addition to my home is historically sensitive for Old Town?
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about modifications to my building in Old Town?
Q. Are there different ordinances for residential and commercial buildings in Old Town?
A. Yes. The Old Town Development Ordinance applies specifically to the Old Town area and includes special architectural regulations and guidelines for building or renovating a building in Old Town. To see the Old Town Development Ordinance in its entirety click here.
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Q. Why are there architectural regulations in Old Town Lewisville that are different from the rest of the city?
A. The design guidelines are written to ensure that future improvements in Old Town enhance revitalization efforts and protect property investment. The guidelines also work to protect and enhance our existing cultural and historic resources found in Old Town as well as assure that new buildings are compatible and complimentary to the "look and feel" of Old Town.
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Q. For the purposes of the Old Town Development Ordinance, what area of the city is considered “Old Town”?
A. The Old Town Design District is bounded by I35 to Railroad St. & College St. to Purnell St. (Excluding Center District). The Old Town Center District is bounded by Charles St. to Kealy Ave. & Elm St. to Church St. Both the Old Town Center and Old Town Design Districts have special regulations that apply to their respective areas.
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Q. Which repairs to my home/business require a building permit?
A. Certain types of home and commercial building maintenance require a building permit from the City. Some of these include: replacing siding, constructing a garage, fences, home additions and remodeling, decks, patio covers, storage buildings, replacing windows, pools, roofing and driveways. For a complete listing please contact the building inspections department at 972.219.3470.
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Q. What is an Old Town Development Plan?
A. An Old Town Development Plan is a plan that is signed and sealed by a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer and/or a Texas Registered Architect. The Old Town Development Plan typically includes an overall layout of the site, building setbacks, parking layouts, fire protection, driveways and sidewalks, water and sanitary sewer, grading and drainage, easements, and landscaping plan. For a detailed listing what to include in an Old Town Development Plan, please contact Building Inspections at 972.219.3470 or go to Article V. of the Old Town Development Ordinance.
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Q. When is an Old Town Development Plan required to be submitted with my building permit?
A. An Old Town Development Plan is required for all new buildings. An Old Town Development Plan must also be submitted when any of the following apply.
- All construction of new buildings.
- Change in footprint or square footage of any structure that that is more than 10 percent of the size of the existing building(s) on the tract or is 5,000 sq. ft. or more in size.
- Any change requiring additional fire protection to the site
- Change in fire lane configuration or location
- Change in grading or drainage
- Addition of new water or sanitary sewer services to the site
- Change in use from residential to commercial.
- If the use or operation of the property ceases for over 12 months.
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Q. What is the Old Town Design Review Committee?
A. The Old Town Design Review Committee is a City Council-appointed committee that consists of five voting members and one advising architect. Any exterior changes to a home or commercial building in Old Town that require a building permit must first be reviewed by the Old Town Design Review Committee.
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Q. What information do I need to provide to the Old Town Design Review Committee for my project?
A. For building renovations, the Committee will need drawings to scale of all sides of the building that are to be renovated, pictures of all sides of the existing building, as well as color and material samples. For new buildings, the Committee will also need a drawing to show existing building footprint and the footprint of the new structure.
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Q. What types of building material may I use for the exterior of my home or commercial building?
A. Brick, wood, hardie-plank, and limited use of stone are the allowable materials for building exteriors in Old Town. Metal and vinyl, as well as polished stone, for building siding are prohibited.
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Q. Can I use vinyl or aluminum siding? What about stucco?
A. Vinyl and aluminum siding are not allowable in Old Town. For a low-maintenance alternative to wood, you may use hardie-plank siding. Stucco is also not an allowable material for siding in Old Town.
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Q. Are building colors restricted in Old Town?
A. Yes, colors should compliment neighboring buildings and reflect a traditional color palette. Only colors that are similar to the approved color palette by the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be allowed. Colors that are extremely bright, fluorescent or neon may not be used.
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Q. How do I know if the design for my renovation or addition to my home is historically sensitive for Old Town?
A. Design an alteration to be compatible with the original character of the property. Avoid alterations that would damage historic features or that would hinder the ability to interpret the design or character of the original building. An addition should relate to the historic building in mass, scale and form. It should be designed to remain subordinate to the main structure. An addition should be simple in design to prevent it from competing with the primary facade. The roof form of a new addition should be in character with that of the primary building.
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Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about modifications to my building in Old Town?
A. Please contact Sarah McLain, Economic Development Specialist at 972-219-3736 or smclain@cityoflewisville.org
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