Elevation Certificate: Do You Need One?
An Elevation Certificate documents your building's elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation. It can lower your insurance premium, support a LOMA application, and verify building code compliance.
Last updated: February 2026
What Is an Elevation Certificate?
An Elevation Certificate (EC) is FEMA Form 81-31, a standardized document that records the elevation of key features of a building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). It must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor, registered professional engineer, or registered architect authorized by the state or local jurisdiction to certify elevation data.
The EC records several important measurements:
- Lowest Floor Elevation: The elevation of the building's lowest floor, including basement.
- Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG): The lowest ground level immediately next to the building.
- Highest Adjacent Grade (HAG): The highest ground level immediately next to the building.
- Attached Garage Floor: The elevation of the garage floor if attached to the building.
- Top of Bottom Floor: For buildings with enclosures below the lowest elevated floor.
By comparing these measurements to the BFE, your insurance agent, floodplain administrator, or FEMA can determine how your building relates to the expected flood level.
When You Need an Elevation Certificate
New Construction or Substantial Improvement in an SFHA(Often required)
Most local floodplain ordinances (per 44 CFR 60.3) require an EC for any new building or major renovation in a high-risk flood zone. Your local building department will typically request one before issuing permits.
Applying for a LOMA(Often required)
To remove your property from the SFHA through a Letter of Map Amendment, FEMA requires elevation data showing the natural ground is at or above the BFE. An EC or equivalent survey data is a core part of the LOMA application.
Lowering Your Flood Insurance Premium(Recommended)
If your building is above the BFE but you don't have documentation to prove it, an EC can provide the evidence your insurer needs to rate your policy more favorably. The premium reduction often pays for the EC within the first year.
Buying or Selling a Home in a Flood Zone(Recommended)
Buyers in SFHAs may request an EC to understand the true flood risk and expected insurance cost before closing. Sellers with a favorable EC may find it easier to market the property.
Elevation Certificates Under Risk Rating 2.0
Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 methodology, the role of the Elevation Certificate has changed. FEMA no longer requires an EC to rate most NFIP policies because Risk Rating 2.0 uses geospatial data (including satellite-derived elevation estimates) to calculate premiums.
However, an EC can still be beneficial. If the geospatial elevation data FEMA uses is less favorable than your actual building elevation, providing an EC with verified survey data may result in a lower premium. This is especially true for properties that were built above the BFE but have never been formally surveyed.
Even though Risk Rating 2.0 does not require an EC for insurance rating, local building codes and LOMA applications still require one. The EC remains an essential document for floodplain compliance.
How Much Does an Elevation Certificate Cost?
Typical Range
$300 - $2,000
Varies by location
Most Common
$500 - $800
Single-family home
Potential Savings
$500 - $3,000+
Per year in lower premiums
The cost depends on your location, the complexity of the property, and local surveyor rates. Properties in remote areas or with complex foundations may cost more. In many cases, the cost of an EC is recovered within the first year through lower flood insurance premiums, especially if the EC shows the building is above the BFE.
How to Get an Elevation Certificate
Find a licensed surveyor
Contact a licensed land surveyor in your area. Your local building department, floodplain administrator, or insurance agent can often provide referrals.
Schedule the survey
The surveyor will visit your property to measure the elevation of key building features and the ground adjacent to the structure. The visit typically takes 1-2 hours.
Receive the completed form
The surveyor will complete FEMA Form 81-31 and certify the elevation data. You will receive the original document, which you should keep with your property records.
Submit to your insurer or FEMA
Provide the completed EC to your insurance agent to potentially lower your premium, or include it with a LOMA application to FEMA if you are seeking a map change.
Related Resources
The number your Elevation Certificate is measured against.
How to use an EC to remove your property from the flood zone.
All the ways to challenge a FEMA flood zone designation.
How an EC can lower your annual premium.
How FEMA's new pricing interacts with Elevation Certificates.
Sources
This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.
- FEMA — Elevation Certificate (Dedicated Guide)Direct Source
FEMA moved EC page to glossary section. If broken, try fema.gov/flood-insurance/find-form/underwriting or search "elevation certificate FEMA".
MSC has EC guidance and lookup. Address search always has EC-related data.
- ASFPM — Elevation Certificate ResourcesDirect Source
Association of State Floodplain Managers. Non-FEMA but widely trusted authority on ECs.
Sources last verified: February 2026
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