Odessa, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Governing section
- City Code sec. 3-12-72
- Residential standard
- Lowest floor at or above BFE
- Certification
- Engineer/architect/surveyor to floodplain administrator
- Mechanical equipment
- 1 foot above BFE
Summary
In Odessa's FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas, new construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor to or above base flood elevation, and every structure's first floor must sit at least one foot above BFE as determined by the city engineer.
(1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to or above the base flood elevation... (6) First-floor elevation... any building or structure which has the lowest floor erected in that portion of the city designated as an area of special flood hazard on the flood insurance rate map shall be designed and constructed to place the first-floor elevation a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation as such elevation is determined by the city engineer.
Full Breakdown
City Code section 3-12-72 sets the specific standards. Residential lowest floors must reach or exceed base flood elevation; nonresidential structures must either elevate to BFE or be floodproofed watertight with walls impermeable to water. Section 3-12-72(6) adds a foot of freeboard: the first floor of any building in a special flood hazard area must be a minimum of one foot above BFE, as determined by the city engineer. Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment must also sit one foot above BFE. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify compliance to the floodplain administrator.
Violations & Fines
No development approval issues until a registered engineer, architect, or land surveyor certifies the elevation to the floodplain administrator; a lowest floor below BFE plus the one-foot freeboard blocks the elevation certificate and drives NFIP flood-insurance premiums sharply higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Odessa require above base flood elevation?
Do commercial buildings have to elevate too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Odessa
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Odessa to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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