Texas City, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Texas City adopts the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Study for the City of Texas City, dated 11-2-1982, together with its flood insurance rate maps and flood boundary-floodway maps and any revisions, as the basis for mapping areas of special flood hazard. Section 157.06 makes the chapter applicable to all of those areas within the city's jurisdiction, and § 157.08 requires a development permit to ensure conformance. Section 157.09 adds that no structure or land may be located, altered or have its use changed without full compliance.\n\nThe Chief Building Official serves as Floodplain Administrator under § 157.25 and reviews, approves or denies every development permit.

Applications go on forms the Administrator furnishes, with plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing existing and proposed structures and their location relative to the flood hazard area. Section 157.26 also requires the lowest-floor elevation in relation to mean sea level, the floodproofing elevation for any non-residential structure, an engineer or architect certificate for floodproofing, and a description of how any watercourse or natural drainage will be altered. The Administrator weighs ten factors, including danger to life and property, safety of access for ordinary and emergency vehicles, and the availability of alternative locations not subject to flooding.\n\nFloodways are tighter still.

Under § 157.44, encroachments including fill, new construction and substantial improvements are prohibited unless a registered professional engineer or architect certifies that they will not raise flood levels during the base flood. Where no floodway has been designated, § 157.25 bars new construction in Zones A1-30 and AE unless the cumulative effect will not raise the base flood elevation more than one foot at any point. Subdivision and manufactured home park proposals greater than 50 lots or five acres, whichever is lesser, must generate their own base flood elevation data under § 157.42. Where this chapter conflicts with another ordinance, § 157.10 says the more stringent restriction prevails.