Celina, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Required freeboard
- 2 feet above BFE
- Applies to
- New construction & substantial improvement
- Certification required
- PE, architect, or land surveyor
- Enforcing office
- Floodplain administrator
Summary
New homes and businesses in Celina's mapped floodplain must be built at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation, not just at it.
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor shall submit an elevation certificate to the floodplain administrator that the standard of this subsection (1)... is satisfied.
Full Breakdown
Celina's floodplain regulations require the lowest floor of new residential construction, including any basement, to sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation (BFE) shown on the FEMA flood insurance rate map. Nonresidential buildings face the same two-foot freeboard, or must be engineered watertight and floodproofed to that same height. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor has to certify the elevation to the floodplain administrator before the standard is considered met, and floodproofed nonresidential structures need a certified record of the exact elevation achieved.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation without a certified elevation certificate violates Article 3.05 and blocks certificate of occupancy; the floodplain administrator can require correction before use of the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Celina require building above the base flood elevation, or just at it?
Who has to certify the elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Celina
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Celina to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle flood elevation requirements.