Environmental Rules in Cameron County, TX (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Cameron County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Cameron County's Subdivision Rules and Regulations set numeric storm-return-period standards for every unincorporated subdivision: minor streets must contain a 5-year storm in the gutter, collector streets a 10-year storm, and any subdivision of five acres or more must include a detention basin sized to hold the post-development 25-year rainfall event.
Cameron County Subdivision Stormwater Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsCameron County Subdivision Rules and Regulations, Ch. 3 § 1.7
1.7 Drainage A. General - Storm water runoff from subdivision lots shall be conveyed to streets or drainage courses as directly as possible. Storm water runoff from streets shall be conveyed as directly as possible to defined drainage courses off-site or to County-approved basins on-site. D. ... Roadway Drainage-Streets shall not be used as major drainage courses or conveyances. The street syst...
Erosion Control
Any site development permit in unincorporated Cameron County requires an erosion control plan at minimum, and projects disturbing an acre or more must file a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. Disturbing 10 acres or more triggers a sediment basin requirement, and 5 acres or more requires copies of state permits.
Cameron County Site Erosion Control Requirements
Some RestrictionsCameron County Flood Damage Prevention and Building Regulations, Appendix C § III (Order No. 201105032)
III. Erosion Control Requirements ORDER NO 201105032 Provide erosion control requirements. This should include, but is not limited to the following items: 1. Site development Permit - Erosion Control Plan (minimal requirement for all sites) 2. ... Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (1 acre or more, follow template below.) ... Sediment Basin for disturbance of 10 acres or more ... Copies of p...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Cameron County, new construction or substantial improvement in a flood hazard area must raise its lowest finished floor 12 inches above the Base Flood Elevation or 24 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade, whichever is higher, before the Floodplain Administrator will sign off on the permit.
Flood Zone Building Rules in Cameron County
Some RestrictionsCameron County Flood Damage Prevention and Building Regulations, Art. 5 § A
SECTION A – GENERAL STANDARDS All structures, being new construction or substantial improvements, within a flood prone area or flood hazard area must comply with the following requirements: 1. The lowest finished floor elevation shall be 12" above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), estimated BFE, or the depth number specified in feet on Cameron County's FIRM, or it shall be twenty-four inches (2...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and substantial improvements in a Cameron County flood hazard area must sit at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation, or 24 inches above the highest adjacent natural grade if that number is higher. A licensed engineer, architect or surveyor must certify the finished floor to the Floodplain Administrator.
Cameron County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsCameron County Flood Damage Prevention and Building Regulations, Art. 5 §§ A(1), B(1)
All structures, being new construction or substantial improvements, within a flood prone area or flood hazard area must comply with the following requirements: 1. The lowest finished floor elevation shall be 12" above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), estimated BFE, or the depth number specified in feet on Cameron County's FIRM, or it shall be twenty-four inches (24") above the highest adjacent n...
Environmental Rules by City in Cameron County
1 cities in Cameron County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Cameron County ordinances
See every category we cover for Cameron County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cameron County Ordinance Hub →