Austin's Hurricane Preparedness: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles hurricane preparedness a little differently. In Austin, Texas, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Flood Elevation

New buildings and additions in an Austin flood hazard area must have their lowest floor set at least two feet above the design flood elevation. Austin City Code Sec. 25-12-54(C)(1)(a) sets that freeboard, adopted under the city's home-rule flood-damage-prevention authority in the Texas Water Code.

Key details: Freeboard requirement: 2 ft above design flood elevation. Design standard: ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction. Documentation: FEMA Elevation Certificate 086-0-33. State authority: Tex. Water Code Secs. 16.3145, 16.315. Penalty: Separate misdemeanor offense per day, Sec. 25-12-55.

Section 25-12-55 makes a violation of the flood hazard chapter, or failure to comply with a permit or variance issued under it, a separate offense for each day the violation continues, punishable as a misdemeanor under Section 25-1-462's criminal enforcement provisions. Building below the required two-foot freeboard, skipping the FEMA Elevation Certificate, or proceeding without the required floodplain permit each exposes the property owner to that daily-accruing offense until the building is brought into compliance.

Storm Debris

Austin Resource Recovery collects storm-downed limbs as brush when residents stack them to Administrative Rule 7.8: one row inside a 15 by 15 foot area, no higher than 4 feet, cut ends facing the street, set out at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the first collection day. Under Rule 6.3.11 the Director can waive extra trash fees after a natural disaster or significant storm event.

Key details: Pile size: One row, up to 15' x 15', stacked no higher than 4 feet. Set-out deadline: At the curb, not an alley, by 6:30 a.m. on first collection day. How to stack: Loose, cut ends facing the street, never tied into bundles. Accepted size: Brush 5' to 15' long; branches 3" to 8" in diameter. Storm fee relief: Director can waive extra trash fees after a significant storm event.

Rule 7.8 sets no fine schedule for a brush pile. The standards are written as requirements: a pile under wires, blocking a meter or mailbox, tied into bundles, or placed in an alley does not meet Rule 7.8. The Director can also restrict the collection or quantity of certain items to protect employees or because of equipment limits (7.8.8). Separately, extra trash outside the cart without a sticker is collected with an additional fee for each bag or item (6.3.4).

The Bottom Line

Austin's hurricane preparedness rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Austin is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Austin's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.