Garland, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Garland, TX, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Floodplain administrator
- Director of Engineering
- Governing FIRM studies
- Dallas, Collin, Rockwall County FIS maps
- Permit required for
- Any structure, fill, or use change in flood zone
- Variance authority
- Garland City Council
- Max fine
- $500.00 per violation
Summary
Garland requires a floodplain development permit from the Director of Engineering, the City's floodplain administrator, before any structure, fill, or land-use change occurs within the FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas covering parts of Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall Counties. The rule tracks the National Flood Insurance Program under §§ 31.100-31.103, and violations can carry a $500 fine per violation.
This article shall apply to all locations in or near areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City, as delineated in the last published National Flood Insurance Program maps and all letters of map amendment or revision thereto. ... Establishment of development permit. A development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this article. ... Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without full compliance with the terms of this article and other applicable regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
102(B)). 102(D)-(E)). 103(C)(1)). 103(C)(2)). 103(B)(9)). 103(D)). 103(D)(3)).
Violations & Fines
Locating, altering, or changing the use of a structure or land within a special flood hazard area without a development permit, or without meeting the article's construction and elevation standards, is a misdemeanor under § 31.104(F). Conviction carries a fine of not more than $500.00 per violation plus costs and expenses of the case, and the City can still pursue any other lawful remedy to stop or correct the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers Garland's floodplain permit rules?
Which flood maps does Garland use?
Can I get a variance from Garland's flood-elevation standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Garland to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle flood zones.