Rowlett, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Code of Ordinances § 82-36 applies the floodplain article to all areas of special flood hazard within Rowlett's jurisdiction, territorial limits and ETJ. The special hazard areas are drawn from the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Rockwall County dated September 26, 2008 and the FIS for Dallas County dated June 16, 2006, along with their flood insurance rate maps (§ 82-37). Section 82-38 requires a floodplain development permit before any regulated activity, and § 82-39 bars locating, altering, or changing the use of any structure or land without full compliance.

The city engineer or a designee serves as floodplain administrator (§ 82-43) and reviews applications, checks that the site will be reasonably safe from flooding, confirms other required federal, state and local approvals under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and notifies the Texas Water Development Board before any watercourse alteration (§ 82-44). Under § 82-45(a), an applicant must submit duplicate scaled plans showing the location, dimensions and elevation of proposed structures and landscape alterations, the elevation of the lowest floor, and, for nonresidential floodproofing, an engineer's or architect's certification.

The administrator weighs factors including danger to life and property, susceptibility to flood damage, effects on neighboring land, compatibility with existing development, emergency vehicle access, and the availability of alternative, non-flood-prone sites (§ 82-45(b)). The board of adjustment hears variance requests and appeals of the administrator's decisions, with further appeal to the courts (§ 82-46); variances are unavailable within a designated floodway if they would raise flood levels. Where this article overlaps another ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction, whichever is more stringent controls (§ 82-40), and the article's terms are read as minimum requirements construed in favor of the city (§ 82-41).