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Development within the floodplain is highly regulated to maintain crucial capacity for floodwater conveyance and storage. Floodplain regulations help maintain important functions and natural resources within the floodplain. A Floodplain Development Permit (FDP) approved by the City is required for any development within a regulated flood zone.
Development includes any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to new construction, alterations or repairs to existing buildings, paving, excavation, grading, filling, dredging, or drilling operations. It also includes the storage of equipment and materials such as machinery, vehicles, trailers, building supplies, imported or excavated earth, fuel tanks, and trash receptacles.
Any reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, remodel, addition, or other improvement to an existing structure where the project cost is 25% or more than the market value of the building is classified as Substantial Improvements. Projects within the floodplain that approach the 25% threshold require a Substantial Improvement application to be completed, which includes a detailed project cost summary to the City for review. Buildings that exceed the 25% threshold must have sufficient flood protection for an FDP to be approved in accordance with the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
For more information about Floodplain Development Permits, Substantial Improvements, or to request a copy of these forms, please contact the City’s Floodplain Management division at publicworks@arlingtontx.gov or 817-459-6550.
It is the area of land inundated by floodwaters from a storm that has a one percent (1%) probability of being equal at or exceeded in any given year.
Zone A is an area of the 100-year floodplain that has not been studied in sufficient detail to determine the water surface elevation of the 100-year flood. Zone AE is the area of the 100-year floodplain with the elevation of the 100-year flood available and the floodway designated. Zone X is an area inundated by the 500-year storm or areas outside of land inundated by the 500-year storm.
Please contact the City's Department of Public Works receptionist at 817-459-6550 and your information will be forwarded to the appropriate staff person. You can also call the City's Planning and Development Services Department at 817-459-6502.
The area of the channel of a creek and the adjacent land areas that are reserved for flood flows. This area is to be clear of fences, buildings, fill, or any other obstructions that could inhibit flood flows.
The City can provide you with a copy of an existing elevation certificate on file. However, if there is no elevation certificate on file then you will have to contact an engineer or surveyor of your choice to obtain an elevation certificate.
Usually this is caused by a refinance, re-plat, or add-on construction requiring a building permit. This can also be caused by updated FEMA flood maps. One solution to this issue is to secure an Elevation Certificate. If the Elevation Certificate states that your slab is high enough above the floodplain, you may satisfy your mortgage lender or qualify for reduced insurance rates.
Please contact the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6550.
Please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website at www.fema.gov or www.floodsmart.gov.