Farmersville, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 26, Article II applies to all areas of special flood hazard within the city's jurisdiction under section 26-24, using the boundaries in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Study for Collin County, Texas, and Incorporated Areas, dated June 2, 2009, and its accompanying flood insurance rate maps, adopted by reference in section 26-25. Section 26-26 requires a floodplain development permit before any development inside those mapped areas, and section 26-27 bars locating, altering, or changing the use of any structure or land without complying with the article.

The floodplain administrator, a duty assigned to the city manager or a designee under section 26-49, reviews applications under section 26-51 for the lowest-floor elevation of new or substantially improved structures, floodproofing elevation for nonresidential buildings, and any planned alteration or relocation of a watercourse, weighing factors like danger to life and property, expected flood velocity and duration, and the availability of alternative sites outside the floodplain. Where the article and a more restrictive easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict, section 26-28 applies whichever rule is stricter.

Variances go to the city's appeal board under section 26-52, which cannot approve one inside a designated floodway if it would raise base flood levels, and any applicant granted a variance must be told in writing that their lowest floor may sit below base flood elevation and that flood insurance will cost more as a result.