Flood Elevation Certificate: A Flood Elevation Certificate is a form provided by FEMA to certify the finish floor elevation of a residence (along with other information) is shown to be within a flood plane on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The elevation is of the lowest floor and adjacent ground elevations in the local flood plain datum as required by FEMA.
Flood Elevation Certificates must be prepared and certified by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by state law to certify elevation information. Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information may also sign the certificate. The certificate does not necessarily mean that you will not have to obtain flood insurance. Only if your house is entirely above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or 100-year -flood line can you expect to have your flood insurance reduced.
Elevation Certificates: If your property is located within a flood hazard zone as determined by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), you may be required to complete a FEMA Elevation Certificate in order to purchase flood insurance, as a part of the sale of the property or as a part of a new construction or remodeling process for your home. An elevation certificate is prepared by a licensed surveyor and will measure the elevations around your house and property and compare them to the floodplain elevations determined by FEMA. This process helps an insurance estimator or city/county official determine the actual flood risk to your home and property.
LOMA Applications: The results of a FEMA Elevation Certificate may determine that although a property is located in a designated FEMA Flood Hazard Zone, portions of the property and/or structure may be above the flood plain elevation. A LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) Application can be submitted to FEMA to request that the property and/or structure be removed from the flood hazard zone. This would remove or reduce the requirement to obtain flood insurance for the property.
