Richmond requires a floodplain development permit for any work in mapped flood hazard areas, with elevation, anchoring, and floodproofing standards under UDC Division 4.3.200 and Section 16.4.
Richmond participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and has adopted the FEMA Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the city. Under UDC Division 4.3.200 (Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention) and Section 16.4 of the design manual, any development within a Special Flood Hazard Area requires a floodplain development permit. New residential structures must have lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation; non-residential structures may instead be dry-floodproofed. Substantial improvements trigger full compliance.
Building without a floodplain development permit, placing fill in the floodway, or failing to elevate structures can result in permit revocation, civil penalties, and potential loss of NFIP flood insurance eligibility.
See how other cities in Fort Bend County handle flood zones.
See how Richmond's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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