Development in the Floodplain

Development in the Floodplain

All development within the City of Waxahachie requires local and state permits. Contact the City of Waxahachie’s Planning & Zoning Department at 469-309-4290 for advice before you build, fill, or otherwise develop.

The Zoning Ordinance, Floodplain Damage Prevention 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 Waxahachie. Any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal. Such activity can be reported to the City Engineer at 469-309-4301.

Elevation certificates of some properties located in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA’s) are on file in the City Engineer. Copies of the available elevation certificates are available upon request.  Click Here for the FEMA Elevation Certificate form and instructions.

If your property is located in a Zone A Floodplain, FEMA has provided a tool to determine the 1% Annual Chance of Flood (100-year) Water Elevation.  Click Here for the Base Level Engineering (BLE) Viewer website and step by step instructions.

Click Here for a step by step PDF to determine the location of the floodplain by your property.  The FEMA interactive maps has the most up to date floodplain maps in your area.

Click Here for step by step PDF to connect to the USGS River Gauge at Waxahachie Creek and Rogers Street Bridge.  The USGS can provide text and email alerts based on creek depth or creek flow.