Floodplain preservation area.

San Antonio City Code § 34-912

in effect

Sec. 34-912. - Floodplain preservation area. (a) Floodplain preservation area definition. (1) Minor, intermediate and major floodplain shall be designated for any channel, creek, stream, branch, or watercourse within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone having a watershed greater than one hundred (100) acres. Minor, intermediate and major floodplain shall be defined as follows: Floodplain | Drainage Area (acres) Minor | 100—320 Intermediate | 320—640 Major | over 640 (2) The floodplain delineation shall be based on a 100-year frequency, a channel in its unaltered state, and shall assume conditions consistent with the City of San Antonio floodplain regulations contained in Chapter 35 of this Code. Where such floodplains are not designated on maps of the City of San Antonio, mapping showing such floodplain features shall be submitted as an element of the requirements of section 34-911 hereof. (b) Allowable activities in floodplain preservation areas: The floodplain preservation area shall remain free of all construction activity, development, and alterations except for the following: (1) Arterial, collector and residential street crossings only as provided below: a. A major floodplain may be crossed by arterial streets that are identified on the City of San Antonio Major Thoroughfare Plan as approved by city council; provided however, that the arterial street is constructed in accordance with standards provided for in section 34-965. b. An intermediate floodplain may be crossed by arterial and collector streets, provided, however, that the arterial or collector streets are constructed in accordance with standards provided for in section 34-965. c. A minor floodplain may be crossed by arterial, collector, or local residential streets, provided, however, that such streets are constructed in accordance with standards provided for in section 34-965. (2) Utilities as provided by subsection (c) below. (3) Fences that do not obstruct flood flows. (4) Public and private parks and open space, with development in the parks and open space limited to trails and facilities (other than stables and corrals for animals) for hiking, jogging, non-motorized biking, and nature walks. (5) Water quality or flood control systems with minimum disruption. (6) Where a floodplain has been altered by a manmade activity such as a highway, railroad etc. then the floodplain can be remediated to its natural limits. (7) Public projects that are for the public benefit such as projects to enhance recharge, provide flood prevention, and other capital improvements are exempt from these requirements. (c) Permitted utility/construction. (1) All underground utilities, other than wastewater, shall be located outside the floodplain preservation area, except for crossings (which should incorporate shared trenching where practical), and shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 35 of this Code (UDC). (2) At the time of site development plan review, the director of the resource protection and compliance department shall make a report to the director of wastewater management on any significant environmental impact, with an emphasis on protecting potential recharge, and possible alternatives related to wastewater line locations in the floodplain preservation area. Construction within the ordinary high water mark is discouraged unless approved by the San Antonio Water System upon consideration of reports by the resource protection and compliance department. (Ord. No. 81491, § 1(App. I), 1-12-95; Ord. No. 2006-02-16-0241, § 5, 2-16-06)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH34WASE_ARTVIWAQUCOPOPR_DIV6AQREZOWAPR_SDDPOPRCR_S34-912FLPRARFetched: 10/27/2026