What is an Elevation Certificate?
Elevation certificates determine the elevation of specific structures with regard to base flood elevations determined by FEMA. These certificates are required to rate certain flood insurance policies, based on their construction date. In most cases elevation certificates are prepared by licensed surveyors and engineers. Property owners are able to complete their own elevation certificate for most properties located in a zone A and zone A0 only. Click here for a Flood Elevation Certificate.
The elevation certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and an important risk management tool for property owners with buildings currently classified within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). An elevation certificate provides property information, Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information, and information about the physical attributes and elevations of the subject building.
An elevation certificate is a document form meeting FEMA specifications that indicates the relevant property and structure elevations on a given property as compared to the Base Flood Elevation. The form is “certified” by individuals authorized by the laws in your state to certify elevations. In Texas hydrology is considered an engineering function, and Registered Professional Engineers are allowed to certify elevations. Licensed Surveyors are also allowed to certify elevations utilizing drawings developed by engineers. Most states have similar laws, however, you should contact your state’s engineering and/or surveyor board/authority to verify the procedure in your state.
An Elevation Certificate is a form issued by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and completed by a licensed Surveyor and Mapper. It outlines aspects such as the flood hazard area in which a property lies, potential flooding values, as well as the actual finished floor elevation of a structure and elevation data for other aspects of the improvements. Insurance agents use the information on this form to quote flood insurance rates to property owners.
