FEMA flood zone rules in Houston, TX — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Houston's Chapter 19 floodplain ordinance, significantly strengthened after Hurricane Harvey in 2018, requires new structures in the 100-year floodplain to be elevated 24 inches above the 500-year flood elevation. This is among the strictest floodplain regulations in the nation.
Houston City Council adopted major amendments to Chapter 19 on April 4, 2018, effective September 1, 2018, in response to devastating flooding from Hurricane Harvey (2017), the Tax Day Flood (2016), and Memorial Day Flood (2015). Key requirements: New construction and substantial improvements (expanding existing footprint by 33% or more) in the 500-year floodplain must be built 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation. Critical facilities must be built or floodproofed to 3 feet above the 500-year floodplain elevation. The Zero Net Fill requirement was expanded to the 500-year floodplain. Slab-on-grade construction is no longer allowed in the 100-year floodplain under Harris County regulations; pier and beam foundations are required to allow floodwater flow. NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall values are used as the standard precipitation dataset. The ordinance applies to all FEMA-designated flood zones within Houston's jurisdiction.
Floodplain development violations carry significant fines, mandatory remediation, and potential federal flood insurance consequences. Non-compliant structures may be denied NFIP coverage.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how other cities in Harris County handle flood zones.
See how Houston's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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