Get the free Elevation Certificate

This document serves to collect and certify elevation information for buildings in flood-prone areas to ensure compliance with flood insurance requirements.

How to fill out elevation certificate

How to fill out Elevation Certificate

1. Obtain a blank Elevation Certificate form from your local floodplain management office or download it online.
2. Fill out Section A with the property information, including the owner's name, address, and the legal description of the property.
3. Complete Section B to provide information about the building, including the purpose of the building (residential, commercial), the number of stories, and the type of construction.
4. In Section C, provide the location of the elevation measurement, specifying whether it is the highest adjacent grade, lowest adjacent grade, or a specific building feature.
5. Have a licensed surveyor or engineer take the necessary elevation measurements as outlined in the form.
6. Fill out Section D with the elevation data obtained from the surveyor, including Benchmarks and flood elevation references.
7. Review the completed form for accuracy and ensure all required sections are filled out properly.
8. Sign and date the certification at the bottom of the form, ensuring that the certifier has also signed and included their credentials.

Who needs Elevation Certificate?

1. Property owners in flood-prone areas who are required to provide flood insurance for their buildings.
2. Local governments and municipalities that need to assess compliance with floodplain management regulations.
3. Insurance companies requiring elevation information to determine premiums and coverage under a flood insurance policy.
4. Real estate buyers and sellers to evaluate flood risk and liability when purchasing or selling property.

People Also Ask about

Will an elevation certificate lower my flood insurance?

If property owners provide an EC with more detailed FFH and elevation information, the flood insurance rating engine may return a lower annual premium. FEMA's system compares the original elevation data with the updated information to deliver a more property-specific and equitable rate for the policyholder.

How do I get a free elevation certificate?

How do I get an elevation certificate? Start by contacting your local floodplain manager. They often work for your city's or county's building, permitting, engineering or land use department. Ask them if there is an elevation certificate on file for your property.

What is included in an elevation certificate?

The EC lists a building's location, lowest point of elevation, flood zone, and other characteristics. Under NFIP's pricing approach, an EC is no longer required to purchase coverage.

What is a BFE certificate?

Base flood elevation (BFE) is a value determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that helps identify the flood risk in a certain area. By extension, it also determines the risk a particular structure has of flooding if the water level rises.

For pdfFiller’s FAQs

What is Elevation Certificate?

An Elevation Certificate is a document used to verify a property's elevation in relation to the floodplain for insurance purposes.

Who is required to file Elevation Certificate?

Typically, property owners who are purchasing flood insurance in high-risk flood areas, as determined by FEMA, are required to file an Elevation Certificate.

How to fill out Elevation Certificate?

To fill out an Elevation Certificate, one must complete the form with accurate elevation data, including the building's lowest floor elevation, and have it signed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect.

What is the purpose of Elevation Certificate?

The primary purpose of an Elevation Certificate is to provide information on the elevation of a property's lowest floor, which helps determine flood insurance rates and compliance with local floodplain management regulations.

What information must be reported on Elevation Certificate?

Required information includes the property's address, the elevation of the lowest floor, and the reference elevation datum used, among other details related to the building's construction and flood zones.