Hurricane Preparedness in Baytown, TX (2026)
3 verified hurricane preparedness rules for Baytown, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Roof Standards
Baytown replaces the International Building Code's default wind speed with 150 mph (Ultimate Design Wind Speed) for every building, so roof coverings, decking and cladding must be engineered to that load. Section 18-92 amends IBC Sections 1603.1.4, 1609.1 and 1609.3, and the city forbids reducing that design load for shielding by neighboring structures.
Baytown Roof Wind Design Standards
Some RestrictionsBaytown, TX Code of Ordinances § 18-92 (IBC § 1609.3)
Section 1609.3 Basic wind speed is amended as follows: The basic wind speed, in mph, for the determination of the wind loads shall be 150 MPH (Ultimate Design Wind Speed, V ULT). Basic wind speed for the special wind regions indicated, near mountainous terrain and near gorges shall be in accordance with local jurisdiction requirements. Basic wind speeds determined by the local jurisdiction shal...
Flood Elevation
In Baytown's coastal high hazard zones (V1-30, VE, V), where hurricane storm surge and wave wash hit hardest, City Code Sec. 110-106 requires new buildings to sit on pilings or columns elevated 24 inches above base flood level or the 500-year elevation, whichever is higher, and bans using fill to support a structure.
Baytown Coastal Hurricane Flood Elevation Rules
Significant RestrictionsBaytown, TX Code of Ordinances Sec. 110-106
Located within the special flood hazard areas established in section 110-32 are areas designated as coastal high hazard areas (zone V1-30, VE and/or V). These areas have special flood hazards associated with high velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave wash; therefore, the design and construction of projects located within an area of coastal high hazard shall, at a minimum, meet th...
Storm Debris
Baytown limits how long storm debris and construction-waste containers can sit on a damaged property after a declared disaster. Under Sec. 22-126.5, a single-family lot may host only one waste container and one storage container at a time, and each must come off the property once the rehabilitation deadline passes.
Baytown Storm Debris Container Time Limits
Some RestrictionsBaytown, TX Code of Ordinances Sec. 22-126.5
Waste and storage containers may be stored on property on which a single-family dwelling unit was damaged by a disaster only during rehabilitation or reconstruction of such single-family dwelling unit and may remain thereon:(1)For six months after the declaration of a state of disaster if no building permit is obtained for the single-family dwelling; or(2)Until the earlier of (a) the certificat...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Baytown city rules.
Hurricane Preparedness in Harris County →