Engineering & Floodplain Management

Engineering is responsible for overseeing major capital infrastructure projects. This is accomplished by working with consultants, engineers, architects, contractors and others to see projects through from start to finish. Types of projects that fall under the purview of Engineering include:

• Water
• Wastewater
• Drainage
• Streets
• Sidewalks 
• Landscaping

Floodplain Management is responsible for ensuring the proper operation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodplain Management Program of corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage, including, but not limited to:

• Emergency preparedness plans
• Flood control works
• Floodplain management regulations 
• Assisting residents with any questions or problems concerning flooding or drainage on their property

National Flood Insurance Program

The City of Richland Hills is a participating city in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Ordinances are in place that govern and restrict development within the NFIP effective floodplain. In response to rising costs of taxpayer funded disaster relief, the NFIP was developed to provide homeowners affordable insurance to protect against flood losses based on their potential risk of flooding.

Lending institutions determine whether a property is within or outside of the NFIP floodplain boundary by using Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The City of Richland Hills has the effective maps on file for review. Residents may also purchase, view or print a FIRM online. These maps are legal documents and may or may not represent actual conditions. If there are discrepancies regarding a mapped floodplain and actual conditions that a property owner wishes to explore there are means to contest the findings.

FEMA has important information and FAQs for homeowners, developers and more. Additional information can be found at the Floodsmart website.

It is illegal in the City of Richland Hills to dump any type of debris into a stream, river or drainage ditch. Debris includes, but is not limited to, grass clippings, tree limbs, leaves and vegetation that can become entangled in culverts, shallow streambeds or drainage ditches and impede drainage, causing the flow of water to back up. Residents of Richland Hills are responsible for keeping drainage ditches located on their property free of debris that could impede the flow of water.

Debris dumping should be reported to the Public Works Department during regular business hours via email or by calling 817-616-3830.

Public Works is responsible for removing excessive vegetation, debris, sediment and obstructions in the City's open waterways, flood control ponds, culverts and drainage ways. Additional information on stormwater can be found on the Stormwater Management page.