Development in the floodplain

All development within the City of Fort Worth requires local and state permits. Contact the City of Fort Worth’s Planning and Development Department at 817-392-2222 for advice before you build, fill, place a manufactured home or otherwise develop.

The zoning ordinance, Floodplain Provisions Ordinance and the International Building Codes have special provisions regulating construction and other developments within floodplains. Without these provisions, affordable flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) would not be available to property owners in the City of Fort Worth. Any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal. Such activity can be reported to the Stormwater Management Division’s Customer Service at 817-392-6261.

Substantial Improvement Requirements

Substantial Improvement — The NFIP requires that if the cost of any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement to a structure exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the start of the construction, the improvements must conform to or meet the same construction requirements as a new building and satisfy minimum finish floor requirements specified in the Floodplain Provisions Ordinance.

Substantial Damage — Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a building or structure when the cost of restoring the building to its pre-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the building before the damage occurred. Substantial damage is determined regardless of the actual repair work performed.

The City of Fort Worth requires by ordinance that any substantial improvement or substantial damage improvement must have a building permit. Building permits can be obtained at the Planning and Development Department located at City Hall or by calling 817-392-2222.

Lot-to-lot Drainage and Lot Grading

A drainage problem within your lot or water running from lot-to-lot is considered to be a civil matter and is not regulated by the City of Fort Worth. Contact an engineer or landscape professional to assist you in solving these matters.

Floodplain and Contractor Information

Visit our Contractor/Developer page for floodplain information and the Storm Water Design Manual.

Grading Ordinance

The City Council adopted a Grading Ordinance on June 5, 2012 after a series of reviews with stakeholders. Major features include:

• Land alteration in excess of 0.5 acres or more will require an approved Integrated Stormwater Management (iSWM) Plan Grading Permit. Previously, this approval was required for new plats. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for processing the Grading Permit.
• Single family and building permits applicants will be required to provide lot grading patterns. Non-standard (other than HUD) patterns will be subject to review. No fee will be charged for this requirement.

Stormwater Management Manual

Design standards and the new grading ordinance are detailed in the 2012 City of Fort Worth Integrated Stormwater Management Criteria Manual. This manual was adopted at the June 5, 2012, City Council meeting and is effective starting Aug. 1, 2012. The new manual updates and replaces criteria contained in the 2006 City of Fort Worth Storm Water Management Manual. New and revised criteria are specified for development and runoff from construction.

Printed copies of the city iSWM Criteria Manual will be available in limited quantities at the Stormwater Engineering Office, 1000 Throckmorton St., for $50.00.  

Contacts

For questions about any development anywhere within the City of Fort Worth, contact the Planning and Development Department at 817-392-2222.

For questions or concerns about development specifically in a floodplain within the City of Fort Worth, contact the Stormwater Management Division’s Customer Service at 817-392-6261.