All development within the City of Fort Worth requires local and state permits. Contact the City of Fort Worth’s Development Services 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.
Elevation certificates of some properties located in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA’s) are on file in the Engineering Vault at City Hall. Copies of the available elevation certificates are available upon request.
Download an Application for Floodplain Development Permit.(PDF, 96KB)
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 from the Development Services Department located at City Hall or by calling 817-392-2222.
Visit our Contractor/Developer page for floodplain information and the Storm Water Design Manual.
For questions about any development anywhere within the City of Fort Worth, contact the Development Services 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.