Victoria, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 1 foot above BFE
- Applies to
- New construction, substantial improvements
- Measured at
- Finished floor / lowest structural member
- Enforced by
- City Floodplain Administrator
- Max fine
- $500 per violation
Summary
Victoria requires new and substantially improved structures in the mapped floodplain to sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, not just at it.
The finished floor of new residential structures or substantial improvements shall be elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation of the best available data for slab on grade, or one foot above the base flood elevation of the best available data to the lowest horizontal girder or floor joist for pier and beam construction and lowest horizontal structural member of a manufactured home chassis; whichever is greatest.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 42).
Full Breakdown
In the Special Flood Hazard Area, Victoria's Unified Development Ordinance requires the finished floor of new residential structures and substantial improvements to be elevated one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE) determined from the best available data: measured to the top of slab, or to the lowest horizontal girder or floor joist for pier-and-beam and manufactured-home construction, whichever is greatest. New or substantially improved non-residential structures must meet the same one-foot freeboard, either by elevation or flood-proofing. The Floodplain Administrator issues the development permit and reviews the lowest-floor elevation and floodproofing certificates before construction proceeds.
Violations & Fines
Building without complying with the elevation/floodproofing requirement is a misdemeanor under Sec. 21-289, punishable by a fine of up to $500 per violation, plus costs; the Floodplain Administrator can also issue a stop-work order for uncorrected deficiencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Victoria require more than the FEMA minimum flood elevation?
Does the one-foot freeboard apply to non-residential buildings too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Victoria
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Victoria to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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