Brownsville, TX Environmental Rules: Coastal Development (2026)
Key Facts
- Gulf beach jurisdiction
- None; Cameron County administers
- Coastal zone boundary
- Begins at International Toll Bridge
- Floodplain maps
- Cameron County FIRM, February 16, 2018
- Windstorm
- TWIA first-tier; WPI-8 certificate
- Floodplain permit
- Required for all development
Summary
Brownsville sits about twenty miles inland of the Gulf and holds no public beach. The Texas Coastal Management Program boundary starts at the city's International Toll Bridge, so coastal zone consistency review reaches much of Brownsville.
The boundary begins at the International Toll Bridge in Brownsville, thence northward along U.S. Highway 77 to the junction of Paredes Lines Road (FM Road 1847) in Brownsville, thence northward along FM Road 1847
Full Breakdown
The Open Beaches Act (Nat. Res. Code Ch. 61) and the Dune Protection Act (Ch. 63) are administered on Cameron County's Gulf shoreline by Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island and the City of Starbase. Brownsville issues no dune permits or beachfront construction certificates. Development here runs through Chapter 308 floodplain permits keyed to the Cameron County Flood Insurance Study and FIRM dated February 16, 2018, the Article 5.6 stormwater rules, and TWIA windstorm certification, since Cameron is a first-tier coastal county.
Violations & Fines
Building in a special flood hazard area without a floodplain development permit is a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $500 per violation, plus all case costs, under section 308-148.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Texas Open Beaches Act apply to my Brownsville property?
Is Brownsville inside the Texas coastal zone?
Do I need windstorm certification to build here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brownsville
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Brownsville to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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