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Lewisville, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Permit: Required before any special-flood-hazard construction
Administrator: City manager or designee (§ 5.5-12)
Flood maps: FIRM: 4/18/2011 Denton, 7/7/2014 Dallas
Appeals: City appeal board, then courts (§ 5.5-15)
Penalty: Up to $500-$2,000 per day, § 1-15

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 Lewisville, 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 Lewisville, TX on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Lewisville requires a floodplain development permit for any construction, fill, or land alteration within the city's mapped areas of special flood hazard under Code of Ordinances Chapter 5.5. The city-appointed floodplain administrator reviews every application against FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Denton and Dallas counties before work can begin.

This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard with the jurisdiction of the city. ... A floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter. ... No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Unified Development Code: Supplement 3 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 34 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

5-6). 5-13). 5-14). 5-14(2)). 5-8). 5-15). Variances are barred inside a designated floodway if they would raise flood levels during a base flood discharge, and the administrator keeps a public record of every permit action, reporting variances to FEMA on request.

Violations & Fines

It is unlawful to construct, locate, extend, convert, or alter a structure or land in a special flood hazard area without full compliance with Chapter 5.5 (§ 5.5-21). Because the chapter does not set its own fine, violations fall under the city's general penalty, § 1-15, which authorizes fines up to $2,000 for offenses tied to public health and sanitation and up to $500 for other Code violations, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a Lewisville flood zone?

Yes. Section 5.5-7 requires a floodplain development permit for any new construction, substantial improvement, or land alteration within an area of special flood hazard, and the floodplain administrator reviews the application under section 5.5-14 before work can start.

Who decides floodplain permit applications in Lewisville?

The city manager or a designated floodplain administrator reviews, approves, or denies every floodplain development permit under sections 5.5-12 and 5.5-13, weighing flood danger, emergency vehicle access, and whether a non-flood-prone alternative site exists before ruling.

Can I appeal a denied floodplain permit?

Yes. Section 5.5-15 lets an aggrieved applicant ask the city's appeal board for a variance, and the board can attach conditions to any variance it grants. A further appeal from the board's decision goes to a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sources & Official References

[1]Lewisville, TX Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5.5

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All Lewisville rules

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