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

Hutto Code of Ordinances § 6.06.005 defines base flood elevation (BFE) as the water-surface elevation shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study for zones A, AE, AH, A1-A30, AR, V1-V30 or VE, tied to the flood that has a 1% annual chance of being equaled or exceeded, also called the base flood. The code layers a safety margin, freeboard, on top of that number, and the resulting 'flood protection elevation' is the height of the 1% annual chance flood plus freeboard in non-tidal areas.

Under § 6.06.019(1), all new construction and substantial improvement of residential structures within Zones A1-30, AE, A and AH on the FIRM must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above this flood protection elevation, with a registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor certifying compliance to the Floodplain Administrator, the City Engineer. Nonresidential structures may instead be floodproofed to that same elevation under § 6.06.019(2), with an engineer or architect certifying the design and specifications. Detached accessory structures used only for parking or storage are capped at 600 square feet and must have flood openings if built at grade.

Manufactured homes placed in Zone A must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation and lateral movement, and recreational vehicles left on-site more than 180 days must meet the same elevation and anchoring standard as manufactured homes.