Master Houston's Chapter 19 Flood Regulations for 2026 Developments
Updated: Sep 24
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Houston's Chapter 19 Flood Rules in 2026
Chapter 19 of the Houston Code of Ordinances sets floodplain rules for development inside City of Houston limits.
The City's IDM requires all development within City limits to comply with it.
JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Key Chapter 19 Requirements
Under the City's 2018 amendments, new construction in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains must place the lowest floor 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation
Substantial improvements to existing buildings in the floodplain can trigger the same standards
A floodplain development permit and elevation certificate are part of the review
Read the current text of Chapter 19 before design, since the ordinance can be amended.
Project: Magnolia Trails 360-Lot Subdivision, Alvin, TX
360-lot residential development in the floodplain in Alvin, Brazoria County
Four agencies: City of Alvin, TxDOT, a MUD and CNR3
Read the full Magnolia Trails case study
Challenges
Lots had to be raised above the base flood elevation (BFE)
Fill, detention pond obligations and utility extensions all had to move in parallel
The nearest utilities were about 5,000 feet away
Objectives
Raise lots above the BFE at a reasonable fill cost.
Remove residential lots from the FEMA flood zone.
Keep four agency approvals on one schedule.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Excavated an on-site mitigation pond to supply fill and raise lot grades
Coordinated a FEMA LOMR-F alongside subdivision permitting
Purchased regional detention pond credits from CNR3 instead of building an on-site detention pond
Complete civil engineering, including 13,100 LF of water main and 4,530 LF of sanitary sewer routed through an adjacent neighborhood
Results:
Residential lots removed from the FEMA flood zone through the LOMR-F process
5,000-foot greenfield utility extension avoided
$11.3 million in construction value across four coordinated packages
What This Means Inside Houston
Chapter 19 elevation rules apply to City of Houston sites, but the same tools can help: planning fill and mitigation early, coordinating map changes with FEMA, and setting finished floors during site design.
Flood Rules in Texas, North Carolina and Florida
Texas
Harris County's MAAPnext maps are still drafts; see FEMA Draft Flood Maps for Harris County.
For City detention pond rules, see City of Houston IDM 2026 Update: Is Your Project Compliant?.
North Carolina
County flood map status and property risk are available through NC Emergency Management's Flood Risk Information System.
Florida
Check your flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center; Lee County's new maps take effect March 2, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Houston's Chapter 19?
It is the City of Houston's floodplain ordinance, and all development within City limits must comply with it.
How high must the lowest floor be under Chapter 19?
Under the 2018 amendments, 2 feet above the 500-year flood elevation for new construction in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains.
Does Chapter 19 apply to existing buildings?
Substantial improvements to existing buildings in the floodplain can trigger current standards.
How did JRH Engineering raise lots at Magnolia Trails?
By excavating an on-site mitigation pond and using that material as fill to raise lots above the BFE.
What is a LOMR-F?
A FEMA Letter of Map Revision based on fill, used at Magnolia Trails to remove lots from the flood zone.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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