Burleson, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 42-92 of the Burleson Code of Ordinances sets the specific elevation standards wherever base flood elevation data has been provided under § 42-37, § 42-61(b)(8) or § 42-93(d). For residential structures in the City of Burleson, subsection (1) puts the lowest floor, basement included, at least three feet above the base flood elevation designated in the FIRM or two feet above the ultimate, fully developed water surface elevation determined by a flood study from a licensed engineer. A licensed professional engineer or land surveyor submits a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standard is met.

Nonresidential structures under subsection (2) follow the same elevations. As an alternative, the building and its utility and sanitary facilities can be designed so that, below the base flood level plus three feet, the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to water and able to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and buoyancy. A licensed professional engineer or architect certifies the design, and the floodplain administrator keeps a record of the floodproofed elevation relative to mean sea level.

Enclosures below the lowest floor used solely for parking, building access or storage need a minimum of two openings on separate walls with a net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area, and the bottom of every opening no higher than one foot above grade. Manufactured homes placed on certain sites must be elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation under subsection (4)(B), while those in existing parks meet either three feet above base flood elevation or a chassis on piers no less than 36 inches above grade. In AO and AH shallow flooding areas, § 42-94 sets the lowest floor at the FIRM depth number plus three feet for residential structures. The permit application under § 42-63(a)(1) must list the lowest floor elevation relative to mean sea level.