Lubbock, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing division
- Article 39.05, Div. 5.1, Flood Damage Prevention
- Minimum freeboard test
- 1 ft above FIRM or Master Drainage Plan elevation
- Playa lake freeboard
- 2 ft above playa lake overflow elevation
- Street-based freeboard
- 18 in above adjacent street gutter elevation
- Administering official
- City Engineer as Floodplain Administrator
- Violation
- Misdemeanor, separate offense per day (§ 39.05.008)
Summary
Lubbock's floodplain code requires new and substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas to raise their lowest floor above the base flood elevation using the most restrictive of six freeboard tests set by the City Engineer as Floodplain Administrator.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities, including ductwork, elevated to the most restrictive flood protection elevation as set forth below. 1. Lowest floor elevation. A. One foot above the one percent annual chance flood elevation established by the City of Lubbock Master Drainage Plan; B. If located in a flood hazard area, the lowest floor (including basement) will be one foot above the flood elevation established by the FIRM of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); C. Two feet above the applicable playa lake overflow elevation; D. Eighteen inches above the highest gutter elevation (or if no curb and gutter is present, one foot above top of crown) of the nearest adjacent street(s); E. Six inches above the calculated peak water surface elevation if a design waiver is granted in accordance with the Drainage Criteria Manual; or F. One foot above the 500-year 24-hour base flood elevation if located within the limits of a non-overflow playa lake.
Full Breakdown
013, Specific standards. For residential construction, the lowest floor, including the basement and all electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and ductwork, must be raised to whichever freeboard requirement is most restrictive: one foot above the one percent annual chance flood elevation from the City's Master Drainage Plan; one foot above the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) elevation; two feet above the applicable playa lake overflow elevation; eighteen inches above the highest adjacent street gutter (or one foot above the crown where there is no curb and gutter); six inches above the calculated peak water surface elevation if a design waiver is granted under the Drainage Criteria Manual; or one foot above the 500-year 24-hour base flood elevation for sites within a non-overflow playa lake.
013(c), or may instead be floodproofed watertight below the base flood level, with a floodproofing certificate kept on file by the Floodplain Administrator. 013(b)(2). 013(d). 013(e)-(f). 009.
Violations & Fines
Constructing, locating, extending, converting, or altering any structure or land without complying with Division 5.1 is a misdemeanor under § 39.05.008, enforced through Article 39.09, Enforcement and Remedies. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, so unpermitted or under-elevated construction in a floodplain can accrue daily penalties, and the City may pursue other lawful remedies beyond criminal prosecution to force compliance or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above flood level must a new Lubbock home be built?
Who certifies that a Lubbock building meets the flood elevation rule?
What happens if a structure is built below the required flood elevation in Lubbock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lubbock
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