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Burleson, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Burleson, TX, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Governing sections: Burleson Code §§ 42-37, 42-42, 42-62, 42-95
Flood maps: FEMA FIS and FIRM for Johnson and Tarrant Counties dated September 21, 2023
Floodplain administrator: The city engineer, § 42-61(a)
Floodway rule: Encroachments prohibited absent no-rise analysis
Permit: Development permit required, § 42-62
Fine: Not more than $500.00 per violation, each day separate

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Burleson, TX.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Burleson, TX on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

In the City of Burleson, Texas, Chapter 42 Article II applies to all areas of special flood hazard. Under § 42-95, encroachments in the adopted regulatory floodway, including fill and new construction, are prohibited unless engineering analyses show no increase in flood levels. A development permit is required, and violations carry a fine of up to $500.00.

§ 42-95. Floodways. ... Located within areas of special flood hazard established in section 42-42 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following provisions shall apply: (1) Encroachments are prohibited, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. (2) If subsection (1) of this section is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvement shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of this division.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Article II of Chapter 42 of the Burleson Code of Ordinances, titled Flood Damage Prevention, applies under § 42-37 to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the city. Section 42-42 adopts by reference the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Johnson and Tarrant Counties, Texas and Incorporated Areas, dated September 21, 2023, with flood insurance rate maps of the same date, and also adopts the city's most recent master drainage study models to establish fully developed flood elevations.

The city engineer is the floodplain administrator under § 42-61(a). Section 42-62 requires a development permit, and § 42-63(a) requires an application with scaled plans showing the location, dimensions and elevation of proposed landscape alterations and structures, the lowest floor elevation, and an engineer or architect certificate for any floodproofed nonresidential structure. Approval or denial turns on ten factors in § 42-63(b), among them danger to life and property, safety of access in times of flood, and the availability of alternative locations not subject to flooding.

The floodway gets the hardest line. Section 42-95(1) prohibits fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development in the adopted regulatory floodway unless hydrologic and hydraulic analyses show no increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge. Subsection (3) notes that an encroachment that would raise base flood elevations needs a conditional FIRM and floodway revision from FEMA first. Elsewhere in the floodplain, § 42-61(b)(12) bars development, including fill, unless it will not raise the base flood elevation or the fully developed water surface elevation more than 0.0 feet without the floodplain administrator's approval. Section 42-91 adds that on-site waste disposal systems shall not be located within a floodplain or floodway area.

Violations & Fines

Section 42-35 makes failure to comply with Article II a misdemeanor. Upon conviction a person is fined not more than $500.00 for each violation and pays all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day a violation is permitted to exist is a separate offense, and the city can also take other lawful action to prevent or remedy the violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flood maps does the City of Burleson use?

Section 42-42 adopts the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Johnson and Tarrant Counties, Texas and Incorporated Areas dated September 21, 2023, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps of the same date and any revisions. It also adopts the city's most recent master drainage study models to establish fully developed flood elevations.

Do I need a permit to build in a Burleson flood hazard area?

Yes. Section 42-62 requires a development permit to ensure conformance with Article II. Under § 42-63(a) you file an application with the floodplain administrator, the city engineer, showing plans, the lowest floor elevation of new and substantially improved structures, and floodproofing certification for any nonresidential structure.

Can I fill or build in the regulatory floodway?

Not unless engineering shows no rise. Section 42-95(1) prohibits encroachments, including fill, new construction and substantial improvements, within the adopted regulatory floodway unless hydrologic and hydraulic analyses show no increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge. Anything that would raise base flood elevations needs a conditional FIRM and floodway revision through FEMA first.

What is the penalty for violating Burleson's flood damage ordinance?

Section 42-35 makes a violation a misdemeanor punishable on conviction by a fine of not more than $500.00 for each violation, plus all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day a violation is permitted to exist is a separate offense, and the city keeps its power to take other lawful action to remedy it.

Sources & Official References

[1]Burleson Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42 Floods (eCode360)

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