Fort Worth, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Fort Worth's floodplain rules apply to every special flood hazard area within city limits or under its jurisdiction and control, land that stretches across parts of Tarrant, Denton, Parker and Wise counties (§ 7-316). The city establishes those areas by adopting, by reference, FEMA's current Flood Insurance Studies and Flood Insurance Rate Maps for all four counties, including the Tarrant County FIS dated March 19, 2019 (§ 7-317). Before any structure or land in a mapped hazard area is located, altered, or has its use changed, the owner must obtain a floodplain development permit from the floodplain administrator (§ 7-318).

Work must begin within six months of permit approval or the permit becomes null and void, and an issued permit automatically expires 24 months after approval unless the administrator grants a written extension for justifiable cause. Permits are non-transferable: a new applicant needs a new permit, and the administrator can suspend or revoke a permit issued on incorrect or incomplete information. Building permits and plats cannot be issued for a lot carrying an unresolved floodplain violation. Inside a hazard area, § 7-346 requires new construction to be anchored against flotation and built with flood-resistant materials, with mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment set at least two feet above the fully developed base flood elevation.

Under § 7-347, new and substantially improved residential structures must have their lowest floor, including any finished garage, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation or the FEMA regulatory elevation, whichever is greater, certified by a registered surveyor or engineer.