What is an Elevation Certificate?

A community's permit file must have an official record that shows new buildings and substantial improvements in all identified SFHAs are properly elevated. This elevation information is needed to show compliance with the floodplain management ordinance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages communities to use the Elevation Certificate developed by FEMA to fulfill this requirement since it also can be used by the property owner to obtain flood insurance. Communities participating in the Community Rating System (CRS) are required to use the FEMA Elevation Certificate.

Show All Answers

1. What does FEMA stand for?
2. What is a flood?
3. What is a floodplain?
4. What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
5. How does the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) benefit the community?
6. What is the Community Rating System (CRS)?
7. What is a 100-Year Flood Zone or Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)?
8. What is a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)?
9. What is a base flood elevation (BFE)?
10. What are my odds of flooding within a 100-year floodplain?
11. How do I know if I am in a flood zone?
12. My house is in a floodplain - what do I need to know?
13. Who has to buy flood insurance?
14. What is Pre-FIRM and Post-FIRM?
15. What is an Elevation Certificate?
16. Who can prepare an Elevation Certificate?
17. Why should I have an Elevation Certificate for my property?
18. What is a Letter of Map Change (LOMC)?
19. What are the different types of LOMC?
20. How long does it take to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), or physical map revision?
21. My mortgage company has informed me that my house is in a floodplain and that I will be required to purchase flood insurance - what do I need to know?
22. What is floodplain management?
23. Where can I find more information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?