New Braunfels, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

City Code Sec. 2, Specific standards, governs any area of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data exists. Subsection (1) requires new construction and substantial improvement of a residential structure to have its lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to a minimum of two feet above base flood elevation, together with the attendant utility and sanitary facilities; a registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify to the floodplain administrator that this standard is met. Nonresidential buildings get an alternative under subsection (2): floodproof to the same two-foot elevation with watertight, substantially impermeable walls, engineer-certified.

The floodplain administrator, who by Sec. 1 is the city engineer or a designee, reviews every floodplain development permit application against factors in Sec. 10/sf). 3(1)q. An owner denied a permit, or contesting the floodplain administrator's determination, can seek a variance from the construction board of appeals under Sec. 4, which requires showing good and sufficient cause and that denial would cause exceptional hardship, and may further appeal that board's decision to a court of competent jurisdiction. Violation of the article, including building below the required elevation without compliance, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 00 per day, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.