Environmental Rules in Jefferson County, TX (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Jefferson County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New development in unincorporated Jefferson County cannot release stormwater onto neighboring land or county drainage facilities at a rate greater than undeveloped runoff. Drainage systems must handle 100-year storm flows and meet strict headwater limits at road crossings.
Jefferson County Stormwater Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Subdivision and Development Regulations § 9.1
9.1 Stormwater Runoff. Stormwater runoff from any development may not be released onto neighboring property or into any County drainage ditch, swale easement, culvert or other facility or any such drainage facility associated with an existing road, whether public or private, at a rate greater than runoff from the property in an undeveloped condition.
Flood Zones
A county development permit is required before any construction, fill or substantial improvement begins in Jefferson County's mapped special flood hazard areas. The Flood Damage Prevention Order adopts FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and maps and puts the County Engineer in charge of permitting.
Jefferson County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County Subdivision and Development Regulations, Appendix 5 (Flood Damage Prevention Order) §§ 3.1-3.2, 4.1-1
3.1 LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDER APPLIES. This Order shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of Jefferson County. 3.2 BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for Jefferson County," dated D...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Jefferson County, new and substantially improved residential structures in mapped special flood hazard areas must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation. The County Engineer enforces this as the county Floodplain Administrator under the Flood Damage Prevention Order.
Jefferson County Flood Elevation Rules
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Subdivision and Development Regulations, Appendix 5 (Flood Damage Prevention Order) § 5.2-1(1)
5.2-1 Residential Construction (1) New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to above the base flood elevation, plus one (1) foot.
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