Mid City Times

Published on June 23, 2024

Changes to how and where the City establishes and regulates flood risk areas will begin on July 15, working toward the Stormwater Management Program’s mission of protecting people and property from harmful stormwater runoff.

On June 11, City Council voted to adopt changes to three City documents: Floodplain Ordinance, Stormwater Criteria Manual, and Grading Permit Ordinance. These documents are used by builders and developers for new construction and renovations.

Going forward, the City will apply stormwater development regulations to permitted development activities that are less than one acre in City Flood Risk Areas (CFRAs). They will require an engineer's certificate documenting that the elevation of livable structures is at least two feet above the 100-year flood elevation and that the development will not cause increased flood risk to neighboring properties.

Residents living and working in CFRAs will be safer from flood risks due to improved stormwater development requirements. Resources to support residents and businesses are updated via the Flood Risk Viewer, which shows flood risks mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and non-FEMA flood risks mapped by the City. Residents can find out their flood risk to take steps to protect their homes or businesses by entering their address in the Flood Risk Viewer. Frequently asked question documents on non-FEMA flood risk mapping can be found on the City's webpage.

CFRA regulations will apply to development activity ranging from fences, accessory structures, room additions, and new construction. This also applies to commercial or mixed-use site development projects on less than one acre within approximately three-and-a-half square miles of mapped CFRAs. All development activity of any size within FEMA floodplains already undergoes detailed review, as well as any development outside of FEMA floodplains with land disturbance of one acre or more.

Flooding can happen anywhere, not just within mapped FEMA floodplains along creeks and rivers. The City has adopted these additional measures to further protect Fort Worth residents. More often, the Stormwater Division receives reports of flooding outside of FEMA floodplains rather than inside them.

Non-FEMA flood risk mapping is used by the City to inform capital project and maintenance planning. This tool is available on the website to ensure that the public also has access to flood risk information for decision-making regarding household drainage improvements, home additions or flood insurance considerations.

Residents with specific questions regarding updated regulations and flood risk mapping can call 817-392-1234 or email for more information.

Protecting people and property from harmful stormwater runoff is part of the mission of the City's Stormwater Management Program.

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