Pharr, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 58-78, Chapter 58
- Elevation standard
- Lowest floor at or above BFE
- Freeboard
- None above BFE (riverine)
- Shallow-flooding zones
- Two feet if no depth
- Enforcer
- Floodplain administrator
Summary
In Pharr's FEMA special flood hazard areas, new and substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation, with compliance certified by a licensed engineer, architect, or land surveyor.
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in section 58-31, subsection 58-52(8), or subsection 58-79(c), the following provisions are required: (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. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standards of this subsection, as proposed in subsection 58-54(a)(1), is satisfied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
City Code section 58-78 governs building inside Pharr's mapped special flood hazard areas. Residential construction must place the lowest floor, including basement, at or above the base flood elevation shown on the FIRM. Pharr adds no freeboard above BFE for riverine zones; shallow-flooding AO and AH areas with no listed depth number instead require two feet. Nonresidential structures may elevate to BFE or be dry-floodproofed. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify the lowest-floor elevation to the floodplain administrator, who enforces Chapter 58 through the floodplain development permit and elevation certificate.
Violations & Fines
Building or substantially improving in the special flood hazard area without meeting the lowest-floor elevation standard, or without the floodplain development permit and engineer certification, violates Chapter 58; the floodplain administrator can deny permits and compel correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pharr require freeboard above the base flood elevation?
Who certifies that my home meets the elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pharr
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Pharr to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hidalgo County handle flood elevation requirements.