Temple, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- 1 foot above BFE
- Applies to
- New construction & substantial improvements
- Certification
- PE, architect, or land surveyor
- Enforcement
- Floodplain Administrator
Summary
Temple requires new construction in special flood hazard areas to sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, not just at it.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated not less than 1 (one) foot above the base flood elevation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 13-32(a) of the Code of Ordinances, new residential construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation shown on the FIRM. Non-residential structures get the same one-foot freeboard or must be dry-floodproofed to that same BFE-plus-one-foot line with watertight, substantially impermeable walls. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify compliance to the Floodplain Administrator before occupancy.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation without an engineer's certification blocks occupancy sign-off and can void NFIP flood insurance eligibility for the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Temple require freeboard above the base flood elevation?
Can a non-residential building be floodproofed instead of elevated in Temple?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temple
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Temple to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bell County handle flood elevation requirements.