How Things Work in The Colony Texas
a guide to services in the city by the lake
When you're considering buying a home in The Colony Texas, it's good to know how things work since every city is different. Local Realtor Mark Hitz and the Keller Williams Rivera Team of The Colony TX Real Estate Local Realtors are here to give you the knowledge, advice and counsel you need to make the right decisions about your real estate investment in The Colony TX. We're here to help because that's what we do.
City Services and County Services
The Colony TX 75056 is located in Denton County Texas. Some services are city related like water and trash, while others are Denton county specific like homeowner taxes, drivers license and vehicle registration / license plates.
Simply scroll down Headings for short "How To" explanations and links.
The Colony City Utilities: Water, Sewer, Trash, Recycling
The Colony TX Utility Department is Only For Water, Sewer, Trash and Recycling Services. Here's how to start these services when you buy a home: They require a 24 hour notice and are open M-F 8-5. They have a drive up window or go inside City Hall (corner of Main St and North Colony Blvd.). They need a $75 Deposit, Copy of Drivers License, Copy of Title papers and Filled out Application Form.
Pay City Utilities Online or Set Up Automatic Drafting where the monthly bill is paid directly from your bank account.
Allied Waste Trash and Recycling: The City of The Colony TX provides every home with 2 big 95 gallon flip top rolling carts. Green for Trash and Blue for Recycling. Handy Reference: Read the City's Trash Recycling FAQ Page.
Utilities: Electric, Gas, Phone, Internet, TV
The City of The Colony website provides a link to an internet utilities service called 2TurnItOn where you can compare providers then choose to have these services turned on at your address. You enter a home address and they give you choices for electrical, gas, phone, internet and TV services. 2TurnItOn makes it convenient but when it comes to electricity service you should check for better deals and see all of your choices by entering the 75056 zip code at the State of Texas Power To Choose website. Before you sign up with 2TurnItOn, check another internet service called WhiteFence to see which can give you the better deal.
Understanding Electricity: Recently Texas passed a wonderful law giving homeowners the Power To Choose a Retail Electric Provider REP for electricity service. It's the same electricity coming into your home, you just get to pick who you pay every month. The REPs compete for your business with ever changing rates, price plans and deals. It's like shopping Ford dealerships for the best price on a specific new car.
Electricity Continued: Regardless of which REP you choose, the actual service and delivery of electricity into your home is provided by a single local Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP). The TDSP maintains the poles, wires, and meter that deliver and measure the electricity consumed by your home. The TDSP meter reader stays the same no matter which REP you pay. The TDSP is who restores service when there is a power outage.
Vehicle Requirements / Drivers License for New Texas Residents Denton County (click)
Did you just move to Texas from another state? If you did, you need a new Texas drivers license and Texas license plates for your car. However, you need to know, before you may get a Texas drivers license you have to have your car registered and before your car can be registered, it has to PASS inspection. Save yourself a lot of time and frustration by following this order:
If you are a new resident and own a motor vehicle, you are required by state law to get a Texas vehicle inspection, vehicle title/registration and driver license within 30 days of moving to Texas to operate your vehicle legally.
- Step 1: Get a Vehicle Inspection. State inspections are available at service stations and repair shops all over Denton County. Before you get a state inspection, go to an auto parts store and buy a little bottle of gas additive made to pass inspections. Ask an employee. Then use it.
- Step 2: Apply for Texas Vehicle Title/Registration. Register you vehicle at a Denton County Tax Office – you must bring A Checkbook AND Proof of Texas liability insurance for the vehicle you wish to register with you at the time of registration or you leave empty handed.
- Step 3: Apply for a Texas Driver License. Apply for your new Texas Drivers license at a Department of Public Safety Office.
Home Security Alarm Permit Requirements
The Colony TX Police Department Services
The Colony TX Police Department has an excellent reputation which shows in the ongoing low crime rate. If your home has an alarm system that is meant to summon The Colony TX Police Department either by an audible tone or by being monitored by a security company, you must obtain a permit from the police department. Alarm permits cost $20.00 and must be renewed each year based on the original registration date. You get 3 free false alarms / year and after that it gets expensive. The Colony TX PD website has all the details.
The City of The Colony TX has a Curfew for all persons under the age of 17. Sunday – Thursday, all persons under the age of 17 must be home by 11:00 p.m. They must remain home until 6:00 a.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, the time is extended by 1 hour. This means that all persons under the age of 17 must be home by midnight. There are exceptions to this ordinance. The exceptions can be found in Section 13 –33 of the Ordinance Manual.
- Animals may not run at-large.
- Any animal must be on a leash or in a carrier while in a public place.
- Owners must prevent their animals from creating a disturbance for their neighbors by preventing barking, howling, or crowing.
- Owners are responsible for the removal of any excrement deposited by their animal.
New Texas State Dog Tethering Law went into effect 2007, titled "Unlawful Restraint of Dog" and can be found in Chapter 821 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter D, Sec. 821.077.
- Between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM;
- Within 500 feet of a school;
- When the temperature is below 32 degrees;
- When a heat advisory has been issued;
- With a choke or pinch/prong type collar;
- With an improperly fitting nylon collar;
The The Colony Official Website is the best updated source to learn about the community services they provide to residents.
Get More Information
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Use Official Websites
Official Texas State, County, City and Independent School District (ISD) Websites are excellent sources of information. All other websites, including ours, may contain outdated or incorrect information.
About Our Commentary
Commentary on this website should never be taken as fact nor should any The Colony home buying or selling decisions be made based upon the information contained on this website. Our personal goal is to provide unique useful insight, opinion and information to potential relocating home buyers interested in The Colony homes for sale, new home builders, The Colony schools and ISDs, etc. The Far North Dallas communities in Denton County and Collin County Texas has been undergoing a great deal of change and development so information about any community will change or become outdated. Y'all please keep that in mind. We encourage you to call Mark Hitz, Local Realtor® Keller Williams Realty Northwest at 214-514-1800 with any specific The Colony questions you might have if you currently do not have a written agreement with another Texas real estate agent.
If You Already Have A Real Estate Agent
If you have already entered into a Written client | real estate sales agent Contractual Agreement with a Texas licensed real estate agent or Texas Realtor® this is not a solicitation for your business. It is unethical for us to work with clients of other agents and we adhere to this Realtor® code of ethics. We strongly encourage you to work with your current real estate agent, use their website The Colony "homes for sale" search tools, research and advisory abilities. Always contact them with any questions or "homes for sale" information you desire in your The Colony home buying process instead of us, because using more than one agent will end up causing you unnecessary stress in one of the most important decisions you will make.
