If you own a home near water or in a flood-prone area, there is a good chance someone has mentioned an elevation certificate. The name sounds technical, but what it does is actually straightforward.

An elevation certificate records the exact height of your home compared to the flood risk in your area. That one measurement can affect how much you pay for flood insurance, whether you can get a building permit, and what options you have if you want to challenge your flood zone status.

What Is an Elevation Certificate?

An elevation certificate is an official form created by FEMA. It is completed by a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect. The form records the height of your building and compares it to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your area.

The Base Flood Elevation is the height that floodwater is expected to reach during a major flood. This is commonly called the 100-year flood level. It is the flood that has a 1 percent chance of happening in any given year.

If your home sits below the BFE, your flood risk is higher. If it sits above, your risk is lower. The elevation certificate is the official document that proves exactly where your home stands compared to that number.

What Information Is on an Elevation Certificate?

The form is divided into several sections. Each one captures different details about the building and the land around it.

Building Information

This section records the property address, the FEMA flood zone the property sits in, the flood map number, and the date of the map used when the certificate was completed.

Elevation Information

This is the most important part. It records:

• The height of the lowest floor of the building, including the basement if there is one
• The height of the ground right next to the building
• The height of the lowest structural part for homes built on pilings or posts
• The Base Flood Elevation for the property

Photos and Certification

The surveyor takes photos of the building from several angles. These help insurance companies understand how the structure sits on the lot. The surveyor then signs and stamps the completed form, which makes it an official legal document.

Why Do You Need an Elevation Certificate?

You may need an elevation certificate to purchase flood insurance, get a building permit in a flood zone, meet a lender requirement, or apply to have your flood zone changed. It connects your building’s actual height to FEMA’s flood risk data for your area.

To Set Your Flood Insurance Premium

Flood insurance rates depend partly on how your building’s height compares to the Base Flood Elevation. If your lowest floor is above the BFE, your premium may drop significantly. If it is below, you will pay more.

Without a certificate, your insurance company may rate your policy based on an assumed worst-case elevation. Having an accurate certificate means your premium reflects where your home actually sits.

According to FEMA, homes built above the BFE can save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on flood insurance compared to homes rated without elevation data.

To Meet Lender Requirements

If you are buying a home in a flood zone with a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance. Many lenders also ask for an elevation certificate before closing so the insurance premium can be calculated correctly.

To Get a Building Permit

Many local governments require an elevation certificate before issuing a permit for new construction or major renovations in a flood zone. It shows the building department that the work meets the required elevation standards.

To Apply to Leave a Flood Zone

A Letter of Map Amendment is a formal request to FEMA to remove a property from a flood zone. An elevation certificate is one of the required documents for that application. It gives FEMA the elevation data needed to decide if the property truly sits above the flood level.

Who Fills Out an Elevation Certificate?

Only a licensed land surveyor, registered engineer, or licensed architect can complete an elevation certificate. A homeowner cannot fill one out. The professional visits your property, takes precise height measurements, fills out the official FEMA form, and signs and stamps it to make it official.

How Much Does an Elevation Certificate Cost?

Most residential elevation certificates cost between $150 and $600. Properties that are hard to access or have complex foundation types may cost more.

For most homeowners in flood-prone areas, the savings on flood insurance quickly outweigh the one-time cost. A $300 certificate that saves $500 a year on your premium pays for itself in less than a year.

How Long Does an Elevation Certificate Last?

An elevation certificate does not expire. However, it can become outdated if you make changes to the building, if FEMA updates the flood maps for your area, or if major changes happen to the land around your home. If FEMA releases new maps, ask your surveyor whether your existing certificate still applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need one if my home is not in a flood zone? 

Usually not. Elevation certificates are most often required in Special Flood Hazard Areas. But if you want to buy flood insurance voluntarily or your property sits close to a flood zone boundary, having one can still save you money.

Can it lower my flood insurance? 

Yes. If your lowest floor sits above the Base Flood Elevation, the certificate documents that and can reduce your premium. The higher above the BFE you are, the more you can save.

Where can I get a copy of an existing certificate? 

Check with your local floodplain administrator, county building department, or the previous property owner. Your insurance agent may also have one on file.

Is it the same as a flood zone determination? 

No. A flood zone determination simply identifies which FEMA flood zone your property is in. An elevation certificate records the actual measured height of your building and compares it to the flood risk for that zone. One is a lookup. The other is a measurement.