Houston's Chapter 19 Floodplain Ordinance, amended after Hurricane Harvey in 2018, requires new construction in the 500-year floodplain to be elevated 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation — significantly stricter than federal NFIP minimums.
Houston's Chapter 19 Floodplain Ordinance was substantially revised effective September 1, 2018 in response to Hurricane Harvey. Key requirements: new construction and substantial improvements in the 500-year floodplain must have finished floors elevated at least 24 inches (2 feet) above the 500-year base flood elevation (BFE). This is far more stringent than the federal NFIP standard, which only requires elevation to the 100-year BFE plus 1 foot. Slab-on-grade construction is prohibited in the 100-year floodplain. Fill placed in the 100-year floodplain requires compensating storage (volume for volume). Substantial improvement is defined as repairs or improvements exceeding 50% of the structure's market value. Elevation certificates must be filed with the Houston Floodplain Management Office. The ordinance applies to all development including residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Building without proper elevation permits: stop-work order and fines. Non-compliant structures may be denied flood insurance or charged significantly higher premiums. The city can require retroactive compliance for unpermitted construction.
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See how Houston's flood elevation rules stack up against other locations.
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