As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in a community, the NFIP requires the community to adopt a floodplain management ordinance that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement is for the community to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved buildings and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for a community to comply with this requirement.

The elevation certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for flood insurance Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO. The elevation certificate is not required for pre-FIRM buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional post-FIRM flood insurance rules. If your property requires an elevation certificate, you will need to obtain the certificate prior to receiving a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an Elevation Certificate?

The Flood Elevation Certificate is an important tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is used to certify building elevations if the building is located in a SFHA in order to:

• Determine the proper flood insurance premium rate for the building.
• Support a request of a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F).

The elevation information must be submitted on the Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 086-0-33) in effect at the time that the Elevation Certificate was completed and signed. Elevation Certificates can only be completed by a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is licensed by the State to perform such functions. 

Who can prepare an Elevation Certificate?

Elevation certificates must be prepared and certified by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by commonwealth, state, or local law to certify elevation information. The EC form and instruction packet are available from the FEMA Distribution Center at 800-480-2520." Visit FEMA's site for more info:

https://www.fema.gov/elevation-certificate

Why do I need an Elevation Certificate?