Taylor, TX Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Section 7-82 of the Taylor Code of Ordinances sets the city's flood-hazard construction standard. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above two feet above the higher of the design flood elevation or base flood elevation, with a registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor certifying to the floodplain administrator that the standard is met. Nonresidential structures get a second option under 7-82(2): raise the lowest floor the same two feet, or floodproof the structure below that level so walls are substantially impermeable and can resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, again certified by an engineer or architect.

The city manager or the city manager's designee serves as floodplain administrator (Sec. 7-51) and reviews every floodplain development permit application under Sec. 7-53, including plans showing elevation of the lowest floor. Manufactured homes placed in a flood hazard area must meet the same two-foot elevation standard and be anchored against flotation and lateral movement (Sec. 7-82(4)); recreational vehicles are exempt only if on site fewer than 180 days or fully licensed and ready for highway use (Sec. 7-82(5)). Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor used for parking, access, or storage must have flood vents equal to at least one square inch of net opening per square foot of enclosed area (Sec.

7-82(3)). Owners who believe the elevation rule was misapplied may seek a variance from the city's appeal board under Sec. 7-54, which requires a showing of hardship and that the variance will not raise flood heights or create a public hazard.