Hurricane Preparedness in Texas (2026)
19 rules on the books across Texas, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Hurricane Shutters
Requirements for hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows, including approved types, installation standards, and pre-storm deployment rules.
Pearland
Some RestrictionsPearland's local amendments to the Residential Code set the wind-design table for new one- and two-family homes…
Read full rule →Victoria
Few RestrictionsVictoria's own building-code amendments list the city's wind-borne debris zone as "No," and the section on exterior…
Read full rule →Roof Standards
Wind-resistant roofing requirements including strap attachments, material ratings, and inspection requirements for hurricane-prone areas.
Amarillo
Some RestrictionsAmarillo's amended Residential Code bars re-covering a roof over deteriorated decking, more than one existing layer, or…
Read full rule →Baytown
Some RestrictionsBaytown replaces the International Building Code's default wind speed with 150 mph (Ultimate Design Wind Speed) for…
Read full rule →Lubbock
Some RestrictionsLubbock's amended building code sets the wind and snow loads every roof and structure must be designed to withstand: a…
Read full rule →Flood Elevation
Minimum elevation requirements for structures in flood zones, including freeboard standards above base flood elevation and elevation certificate requirements.
Baytown
Significant RestrictionsIn Baytown's coastal high hazard zones (V1-30, VE, V), where hurricane storm surge and wave wash hit hardest, City Code…
Read full rule →Texas City
Significant RestrictionsIn Texas City, Texas, coastal high-hazard areas (Zones V1-30, VE and V) face tidal surge and hurricane wave wash, so…
Read full rule →Amarillo
Some RestrictionsAny one- or two-family home built in a designated flood zone in Amarillo must carry a finish floor elevation…
Read full rule →Austin
Some RestrictionsNew buildings and additions in an Austin flood hazard area must have their lowest floor set at least two feet above the…
Read full rule →Harris County
Some RestrictionsNew homes on non-conforming lots in unincorporated Harris County must set the finished floor at least 12 inches above…
Read full rule →Taylor
Some RestrictionsTaylor's floodplain ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 7) requires new construction and substantial improvements in a…
Read full rule →Travis County
Some RestrictionsAny plat application in unincorporated Travis County must include a drainage plan showing FEMA or Atlas 14 flood…
Read full rule →Storm Debris
Rules for pre-storm yard preparation, post-storm debris placement for pickup, and timelines for property cleanup after hurricanes.
Austin
Some RestrictionsAustin Resource Recovery collects storm-downed limbs as brush when residents stack them to Administrative Rule 7.8: one…
Read full rule →Baytown
Some RestrictionsBaytown limits how long storm debris and construction-waste containers can sit on a damaged property after a declared…
Read full rule →Temple
Some RestrictionsTemple collects storm-downed brush and bulk debris through its regular Solid Waste Division cycle, but out-of-cycle or…
Read full rule →Irving
Light RestrictionsIrving has no separate storm or tornado debris program. Downed limbs and damaged household goods go out on the city's…
Read full rule →Lubbock
Light RestrictionsLubbock runs no curbside storm-debris collection. After a tornado or wind event, residents haul downed limbs and brush…
Read full rule →Plano
Light RestrictionsPlano runs no special storm-debris program. Tornado-downed tree limbs and brush go out with weekly landscape waste…
Read full rule →San Antonio
Light RestrictionsAfter severe weather, San Antonio has no guaranteed storm-debris pickup. City Code section 14-25(e) gives the Solid…
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