The State of Texas, in the Flood Control and Insurance Act, Water Code § 16.315, authorizes local governments to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses. The flood hazard areas of Gainesville, Texas, are subject to periodic inundation, which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
These flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated, floodproofed or otherwise protected from flood damage.
Any construction in the floodplain requires a Flood Hazard Development Application and Elevation Certificate prior to the issuance of any construction permit. Use the decision tree form to determine what you must provide the city in order to continue with a permit application.
Gainesville Floodplain Management Decision Tree for Flood Hazard Development Permits
Floodplain Development Permit Application
https://gainesville.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/6190/Elevation-Certificate
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance