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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Freeboard
Two feet above base flood elevation
Governing section
City Code Sec. 12-62(1)
Permit
Floodplain development permit required
Administrator
Building official (floodplain admin)
Flood maps
Bell County FIS, Sept. 26, 2008

Summary

In Killeen's FEMA special flood hazard areas, new and substantially improved residential structures must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation, certified by a Texas-registered engineer, architect, or surveyor.

Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. A Texas registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standard of this section as proposed in section 12-39(a)(1), and the standards of the city's adopted drainage design manual is satisfied.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Killeen Code of Ordinances Sec. 12-62(1) requires the lowest floor, including basement, of every new or substantially improved residential structure in a special flood hazard area to sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation: a full two-foot freeboard above the FEMA minimum. Nonresidential buildings meet the same two-foot mark or are floodproofed to that level. Killeen's building official, serving as floodplain administrator, issues the mandatory floodplain development permit, and a Texas-registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify the elevation. Flood zones follow the Flood Insurance Study, Bell County, Texas, dated September 26, 2008.

Violations & Fines

Building or substantially improving in a special flood hazard area without a floodplain development permit, or below the two-foot elevation, violates Chapter 12. The board of adjustment hears variance requests and appeals of the floodplain administrator's decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high must a new Killeen home be built in a flood zone?
Its lowest floor, including any basement, must be at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Killeen's two-foot freeboard exceeds FEMA's minimum standard.
Who certifies the elevation?
A Texas-registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must submit an elevation certification to Killeen's floodplain administrator, who is the city building official.
Can I get a variance to build lower?
Killeen's board of adjustment hears variance requests, but a variance means building below base flood elevation, and flood-insurance costs rise commensurate with the added risk.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Killeen

Flood ZonesSome RestrictionsStormwater ManagementSome RestrictionsErosion ControlSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Store RulesSome Restrictions

All Killeen rules

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