Lubbock County, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The order applies to all areas of special flood hazard within unincorporated Lubbock County, defined by the Flood Insurance Study and accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps that FEMA issued for Lubbock County on September 28, 2007, and any later revisions (Art. 3 § B). No structure or land may be constructed, altered, or have its use changed within those mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas without a Floodplain Development Permit and full compliance with the Order (Art. 3 §§ C, D).

Permit applications go to the Floodplain Administrator, a role the Order assigns to the County Judge, and must include scaled plans showing the location, dimensions, and elevation of proposed structures and any manufactured home placement relative to the special flood hazard area (Art. 4 § C(1)). The Administrator weighs nine listed factors before approving or denying a permit, including flood and erosion danger, susceptibility of the proposed use to flood damage, access for emergency vehicles during flooding, and the cost of maintaining streets, bridges, and utilities during and after flood conditions (Art.

4 § C(2)). Where this Order conflicts with an easement, covenant, deed restriction, or another order, the more stringent restriction controls (Art. 3 § E). A property owner denied a permit, or who needs relief from the elevation standards, may apply to the county's Appeal Board for a variance, which can be granted only on a showing of good cause, exceptional hardship, and no resulting increase in flood heights (Art. 4 § D).