Flood zones and development permits in Brazos County

The Brazos River has a documented history of major floods, including the 1913 flood that spread five miles wide near Bryan and College Station. FEMA publishes Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that designate flood zones across the county. Zone A and Zone AE areas are Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) where flood insurance may be required and construction rules are stricter.

Before you build, add to, or substantially improve a structure in Brazos County's unincorporated area, you must obtain a Floodplain Development Permit from the county. The application is online at brazoscountytx.gov. Processing takes about two weeks once all documents are submitted. Skipping the permit can halt construction and result in fines or a misdemeanor charge.

To check whether your property falls in a flood zone, use the FEMA Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. The City of Bryan also maintains a FEMA Flood Zones and Topography Map at maps.bryantx.gov/fema. If you are in an SFHA and carry a federally backed mortgage, your lender may require National Flood Insurance Program coverage.