Fort Bend County, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard above BFE
- 2 feet minimum
- Applies to
- New builds, substantial improvements
- Alt. for non-residential
- Dry floodproofing to same level
- Proof required
- FEMA 81-31 elevation certificate
- Deadline to submit
- 7 days after lowest floor built
Summary
New and substantially improved structures in Fort Bend County's special flood hazard areas must sit at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation, not just at it.
Structures located within Special Flood Hazard Areas shall have the lowest floor elevated to a minimum elevation that meets the highest of the following criteria: (1) Two (2) feet above the Base Flood Elevation as determined in the effective FIS and FIRM data. (2) Two (2) feet above the one-percent annual chance (100-year) water surface elevation as determined in an Atlas-14 Study.
Full Breakdown
Fort Bend County's Flood Damage Prevention Regulations require the lowest floor of new construction and substantially improved structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas to be elevated to whichever is highest: 2 feet above the Base Flood Elevation on the effective FIRM/FIS, 2 feet above the 100-year water surface elevation from an Atlas-14 study, 2 feet above a serving detention pond's 100-year level, 2 feet above the lowest adjacent curb (or highest natural grade with no curb), or 1 foot above any down-gradient roadway or drainage restraint. Non-residential buildings may dry floodproof to that same level instead of elevating. A registered engineer, architect, or surveyor must certify compliance, and an as-built elevation certificate (FEMA 81-31) is due to the Floodplain Administrator within 7 days of completing the lowest floor.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation without a variance is a violation; the county can withhold or revoke the Development Permit, and the structure loses standing for federal flood insurance backing until an elevation certificate documents compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 feet above BFE always enough in Fort Bend County?
Can a house be built right at base flood elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Bend County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Bend County to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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