# MAAPnext Draft Flood Maps and Your Apartment > Harris County URL: https://newapartmentshouston.com/guides/maapnext-draft-flood-maps/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-25 Guide · Outside Floodplain # MAAPnext Draft Maps: Why a Building's Flood Zone Could Change Harris County's MAAPnext drafts may redraw flood zones. Current FIRM vs. draft, City of Houston Chapter 19 scope, and how we date our checks. By New Houston Apartment Team [/about/#new-houston-apartment-team →](/about/#new-houston-apartment-team) · Updated October 25, 2026 ![Bayou with concrete banks near new apartments in Houston, cloudy day](/images/featured/bayou-with-concrete-banks-near-new-apartments-in-h.webp) ## Why could a building’s flood zone change? You heard Harris County is redrawing its flood maps and wonder what that means for a building you like. The current maps decide a building’s zone today. Draft maps could change some zones later. That’s why we date every flood check on our list of buildings by zone [/new-apartments-outside-floodplain/ →](/new-apartments-outside-floodplain/) . As of Oct 25, 2026, 128 tracked new builds were Zone X, 9 shaded X and 3 Zone AE on the current effective maps. ![Printed map with pencil markings on a table, no readable labels](/images/content/printed-map-with-pencil-markings-on-a-table-no-rea.webp) ## What is MAAPnext? **MAAPnext** is Harris County’s project to update its flood maps, led with the **Harris County Flood Control District**. It uses newer rainfall data, updated terrain and the drainage projects built since the last maps. Draft maps go through public review before FEMA makes them effective. Until then, the current **Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)** is the official map for insurance and building rules. ## Current FIRM vs. draft: what’s the difference? | | Current effective FIRM | MAAPnext draft | | --- | --- | --- | | Official for insurance and permits | Yes | Not yet | | Data age | Older studies | Newer rainfall and terrain data | | Can change a building’s zone | It’s the zone today | Possibly, once effective | | What we show on cards | The zone, with the date | A note where it differs | A draft might move a building into a different zone, or out of one. Neither change is a verdict on the building. > **Facts, never verdicts** > > We show the current zone, note where a draft differs, and date both. We never call a building safe or unsafe based on a map. ## What is Chapter 19, and when does it apply? **Chapter 19** is the City of Houston’s floodplain ordinance. It sets building rules, like how high new structures must sit, for construction inside city limits. It doesn’t apply in unincorporated Harris County or in other cities. None of the three tracked Zone AE buildings is inside the City of Houston (Oct 25, 2026). Areas like the Heights are inside the city, so Chapter 19 applies to new construction there. Katy and much of Cypress sit outside it. ![Laptop showing two generic map layers side by side on a table next to a coffee cup and notepad](/images/content/laptop-showing-two-generic-map-layers-side-by-side.webp) ## How do LOMR-F letters fit in? A LOMR-F revises the current effective map for a structure or parcel built on fill. Two of the three Zone AE buildings have LOMR-F letters pending. Our guide on LOMR-F letters [/guides/lomr-f-letters-elevation-certificates/ →](/guides/lomr-f-letters-elevation-certificates/) covers what they show. ## What should a renter do with this? 1. Check the building’s current zone and the date it was checked. 2. Ask whether a draft map shows something different. 3. Read the §92.0135 notice for the floodplain and five-year flooding answers. 4. Ask what the generator covers. Our guide on FEMA zones [/guides/fema-flood-zones-for-renters/ →](/guides/fema-flood-zones-for-renters/) explains how to look up an address yourself. ## How draft maps become effective Flood map updates follow a public process. Draft maps are released, the public can review and comment, appeals are heard, and FEMA issues a final determination. Only then do the new maps take effect for insurance and building rules. The whole process can take a long time, so the current FIRM stays in force until then. For renters, that means two things. First, the zone on your card today is the official one. Second, a building’s zone could change during or after your lease, which is why we date every check. ## Where to look yourself Harris County Flood Control District publishes MAAPnext information and map viewers. You can compare the current effective zone with draft data for an address. We do the same for every building on your shortlist and note where they differ. ## How do we help? We check every building on your shortlist against the current FIRM, note any draft differences, and ask for the flood notice. You get the facts with dates, the same day during hours. It’s free to you, and your rent is the same either way. FAQ ## Questions about this guide What is MAAPnext? It's Harris County's flood map update, run with the Harris County Flood Control District. Its draft maps may change some flood zones when they become effective. Does Chapter 19 apply to every building? No. Chapter 19 is the City of Houston's floodplain ordinance, so it applies only inside city limits. Which map do you use on the board? The current effective FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, with the date we checked. Where a draft shows a different zone, we note it. Are any of the three Zone AE buildings inside the City of Houston? No. Asher Towne Lake, Sycamore Heights and The Cove at GYB are all outside city limits, so Chapter 19 doesn't apply to them. Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign. Still have a question? Text us or send your move date. We reply the same day during hours. Text us [sms:+1512000000 →](sms:+1512000000) Get my shortlist [/contact/ →](/contact/) Next step ## Want this checked for real buildings? We do the calls, get it in writing, and show you the whole bill before you tour. It's free to you, and your rent is the same either way. Learn more about New Apartments Outside the Floodplain [/new-apartments-outside-floodplain/ →](/new-apartments-outside-floodplain/) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign. ## Get my shortlist Same-day confirmations during hours (Mon-Fri 8-8 · Sat 9-6 · Sun 12-5). Thanks, we got your request. We'll confirm units, specials and fee sheets and reply the same day during hours.