Environmental Rules in Harlingen, TX (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Harlingen, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New subdivisions in Harlingen must submit engineered drainage plans with hydrology and hydraulic calculations, floodplain data, and stormwater flow computations before the city will approve or record a plat.
Harlingen Requires Engineered Drainage Plans for Subdivisions
Some RestrictionsHarlingen Code of Ordinances § 109-124(m)(2)
Drainage facilities shall be provided and constructed as specified by the director of public works, and/or the city engineer. The proposed subdivision must have drainage plans. The drainage report must include detailed hydrology, hydraulic calculations, flood plain data, soils data, and other data as required by the city engineer.
Erosion Control
Harlingen requires every new subdivision plat to include an engineered drainage plan with hydrology and hydraulic calculations, and caps lot grading at a 4:1 slope before the city will approve or record the plat.
Harlingen Subdivision Grading and Drainage Rules
Some Restrictions§ 109-124
Proposed lot grading shall produce a top of ground slope no steeper than 4:1. ... Drainage facilities shall be provided and constructed as specified by the director of public works, and/or the city engineer. ... The proposed subdivision must have drainage plans. The drainage report must include detailed hydrology, hydraulic calculations, flood plain data, soils data, and other data as required ...
Flood Zones
Harlingen requires a floodplain development permit and 18 inches of freeboard above base flood elevation for new construction in special flood hazard areas.
Harlingen Floodplain Development Rules
Some RestrictionsHarlingen City Code § 105-57(1)(a)
Within an area of special flood hazard, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, and all components of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system and any other service facility elevated to at least 18 inches above the base flood elevation or 24 inches above the top of the curb, whichever is higher.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In a Harlingen special flood hazard area, § 105-57(1)(a) requires the lowest floor and every mechanical, electrical and plumbing component of a new or substantially improved home to sit at least 18 inches above base flood elevation, or 24 inches above the top of the curb if that is higher.
Harlingen 18-Inch Flood Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsHarlingen City Code § 105-57(1)(a)
Within an area of special flood hazard, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, and all components of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system and any other service facility elevated to at least 18 inches above the base flood elevation or 24 inches above the top of the curb, whichever is higher.
Looking for Cameron County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Harlingen city rules.
Environmental Rules in Cameron County →