Because Elevation Certificates are most often used for properties in high-risk flood zones, many buyers and homeowners may incorrectly believe they aren't needed for low-risk flood zones.
But this isn't always the case.
Even if an Elevation Certificate is not required by law, it may provide information about flood risk, flood insurance costs, and regulatory actions, even if the property is outside a floodplain.
An Elevation Certificate (EC) is a standard form developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine a building's elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
The property was in a flood zone
The BFE was established for that area
The lowest floor and key components are elevated above it
Floodplain management and mapping information used by insurers and regulators
Although the EC does not predict flooding, it provides the information that enables insurers, lenders, and property owners to better assess risk.
This property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and
The mortgage is federally backed, requiring purchase of flood insurance
In these cases, the EC provides insurance ratings and compliance with federal lending regulations.
Even if the property does not lie within a high-risk flood zone, an Elevation Certificate may be helpful.
Flood premiums are generally based on the difference between the building's lowest floor elevation and the BFE. However, in some cases, buildings mapped in lower-risk zones are well above the flood elevation.
Confirm that risk is lower than assumed
Lower flood insurance premiums
Preventover-insurance based on generalized map data
Flood maps are periodically updated, and properties may be added to or removed from flood zones as mapping needs change.
An EC may support:
A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) if the building is shown to be above BFE
Challenge outdated or overly conservative flood zone designations
Some local jurisdictions require elevation data for construction or major repairs, regardless of whether the property is in a zone.
In these instances, the EC helps show compliance with local floodplain management regulations.
The property is clearly outside the floodplain
Flood insurance is not required or contemplated
There are no permitting or regulatory triggers
Insurance costs are not studied with elevation data
In these circumstances, getting an EC may not be worthwhile.
Flood zones are rough indicators of risk because they are cartographic representations and do not factor in the elevations of every parcel or structure.
However, elevation, grading, and the structure's construction can mean properties within the same mapped zone have different levels of risk.
An Elevation Certificate helps close that information gap by providing actual measured data rather than assumptions.
An Elevation Certificate may benefit properties that are not located in high-risk areas.
A flood study is not always required, but it may help clarify flood risk and insurance rates, or serve as the basis for regulatory or mapping actions.
Knowing when an EC is necessary and when it is not prevents unnecessary costs and delays for buyers, homeowners, and estate agents.