Elevation Certificate: What It Is and How to Get One

An elevation certificate is a FEMA form that records how high a building sits compared with the base flood elevation on the flood map. A licensed surveyor, engineer or architect usually completes it. Communities use it to show new buildings in flood zones were built high enough. Owners use it for flood insurance and flood zone changes.

This guide is written by Pillar, a land research platform. The rules and figures come from FEMA, federal regulations and the state and county pages linked below, read on November 14, 2026. It is general information, not legal or insurance advice, so confirm anything decisive with your community's floodplain administrator, a licensed surveyor or your insurance agent.

What is an elevation certificate?

The current form is FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-152, formerly 086-0-33. FEMA's forms page marks it "Must Download," so save the file and open it, and use the "Form Instructions" button on each page to reach the instructions. It is the 2023 edition, marked "(8/23)" in each page footer, and the forms page lists it with a date of August 28, 2024. FEMA says to use it "to provide elevation information needed to comply with community floodplain management ordinances; to inform the proper insurance premium; and/or to support a request for a Letter of Map Change to remove a building from the Special Flood Hazard Area."

The form prints "Expiration Date: 06/30/2026" beside its OMB control number, 1660-0008. That date applies to the blank form. The form says "a completed Elevation Certificate does not expire," unless a physical change to the building invalidates certain items, and that it "is not invalidated by the transfer of building ownership." On November 15, 2026, OMB's history for 1660-0008 showed a reinstatement request received October 9, 2026 with no conclusion yet, and FEMA still posted the 2023 edition.

Three terms to know:

• Base flood elevation (BFE) is the height of the base flood, which 44 CFR 59.1 defines as "the flood having a one percent chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year."
• Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The instructions say "All flood zones containing the letter 'A' or 'V' are considered Special Flood Hazard Areas."
• Lowest floor. The form measures the top of the bottom floor, including a basement, crawlspace or enclosure floor. That is not always the regulatory lowest floor. 44 CFR 59.1 defines it as "the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement)," but an unfinished or flood resistant enclosure used only for parking, building access or storage, outside a basement, does not count if it meets the other design rules in §60.3. The instructions say Section C "does not determine the lowest floor of the building" and add: "This must be done by the community." In coastal V zones, 44 CFR 60.3(e) looks instead at the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor.

The certificate does not take a building out of a flood zone. The form says "Only a LOMA or LOMR-F from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can amend the FIRM and remove the federal mandate for a lending institution to require the purchase of flood insurance," and that the lender may still require insurance after one is issued.

Who can complete an elevation certificate?

It depends on the section:

• Sections C and D need a licensed professional. Section C is marked "SURVEY REQUIRED," and the instructions say "A field survey is required for Items C2.a – h." Section D "may be signed by only a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by state law to certify elevation information," with license number, seal, signature and date.
• Section E is for Zone AO, Zone AR/AO and Zone A without a BFE, and is marked "SURVEY NOT REQUIRED." "The property owner or owner's authorized representative who completes Sections A, B, and E for Zone A (without BFE) or Zone AO must sign" Section F, and the community should then confirm the heights. If the certificate will support a map change, Section C is completed instead.
• Section G is for the community. "The local official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community's floodplain management ordinance can complete Section A, B, C, E, G, or H." Section C data the official copies must come from a document signed and sealed by a licensed professional.
• Section H, first floor height, is "FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES ONLY." "The property owner, owner's authorized representative, or local floodplain management official may complete Section H for all flood zones," and Sections A, B and I must also be completed. If a local official completes Section H, the instructions say to "complete Item G2.b and Section G instead of Section I."

Because the form defers to state law, who may sign varies:

• Florida. Section 472.0366, Florida Statutes, defines an elevation certificate as the FEMA certificate "completed by a surveyor and mapper." Since January 1, 2023, a surveyor and mapper must submit a digital copy of each certificate they complete to the state Division of Emergency Management within 30 days.
• Fairfax County, Virginia. The county says the certificate "must be signed and sealed by a Virginia licensed land surveyor or a Virginia Registered Design Professional."
• Henderson County, North Carolina. The county's floodplain ordinance says elevation certification "shall be prepared by, or under the direct supervision of, a professional land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same." It does not list architects.

When do you need an elevation certificate?

For a building permit in a flood zone

44 CFR 60.3 sets the federal minimums for communities in the National Flood Insurance Program. They depend on the flood zone and the flood data available:

• Zone A, where BFE data are used, paragraph (b)(5). The community must "Obtain the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures," obtain the floodproofed elevation of floodproofed structures, and "Maintain a record of all such information."
• Zones A1-30, AE and AH, paragraph (c)(2). New and substantially improved residential structures must have "the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood level," unless FEMA has granted the community a basement exception.
• Zones V1-30, VE and V, paragraph (e)(2). The community must obtain and record the elevation of "the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor (excluding pilings and columns)" of new and substantially improved structures, with or without a basement.

The regulation requires the record, not this exact form. FEMA's glossary says FEMA "encourages communities to use the Elevation Certificate developed by FEMA," and that Community Rating System communities "are required to use the FEMA Online Elevation Certificate."

Under 44 CFR 59.1, substantial improvement is work whose cost "equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the 'start of construction' of the improvement," including substantially damaged buildings. It does not include work to correct existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code violations that the local code enforcement official has identified, when the work is the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions. Nor does it include an alteration of a historic structure that will not preclude its continued designation as a historic structure.

To change a flood zone

A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is FEMA's letter that an existing structure or parcel "that is on naturally high ground and has not been elevated by fill" would not be flooded by the base flood. For a structure, FEMA's LOMA page requires the lowest adjacent grade, "the lowest ground touching the structure," to be at or above the BFE, and says "In most cases, the applicant will need to hire a Licensed Land Surveyor or Registered Professional Engineer to prepare an Elevation Certificate." There is no FEMA review fee for a LOMA (44 CFR 72.5(c)).

For flood insurance

FEMA's agent guidance says: "An EC is not required to purchase coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) pricing methodology. Instead, one of the factors FEMA uses to calculate rates, is the First Floor Height of a building." Owners "can choose to submit an EC to their agent to see if it will lower their insurance costs." Owners in Zone A or Zone V "may need ECs to verify their properties meet local floodplain management ordinances," and even outside those zones, such as Zone X, FEMA says "it's worth checking to see if their property has an EC on file."

Some local pages are older: Charlotte County, Florida's page still says a certificate "is required to obtain flood insurance." For an NFIP policy, go by FEMA. For a private policy, ask the insurer.

How to get an elevation certificate, step by step

1. Ask the seller, builder or current owner. The form is copied for "(1) community official, (2) insurance agent/company, and (3) building owner," so one of them may hold it.
2. Ask the community's floodplain administrator. FEMA's FloodSmart page says "Your home may have an elevation certificate on file with your community," and that these officials typically work in building, permitting, engineering or land use departments. Some communities publish their files:
   • Miami-Dade County, Florida. For homes built after 1995, the county says you may find the certificate in its search application. It has collected them from builders as a permit requirement since 1995.
   • Berkeley County, South Carolina. The floodplain page links a search by address or tax map number and says certificates are kept on file in perpetuity.
   • Riverside County, California. The Flood Control District lets you search every certificate in its archives by Assessor's Parcel Number. Files cover what was permitted. Charlotte County, Florida, says certificates for buildings built before 1992 might not be on file, and it holds none for the City of Punta Gorda.
3. Check what you find. Confirm the building in Section A, that C1 says "Finished Construction," and that nothing physical, such as an addition or regrading, has changed since.
4. Hire a professional if nothing usable exists. Ask for a surveyor, engineer or architect licensed in your state to certify elevations. The instructions say it "may be necessary to physically enter the building" for basements, split levels or equipment.

What it costs. We found no official fee schedule. Two published figures:

• FloodHelpNY, a New York City flood information site, says on its elevation certificate page that certificates "can cost between $500 and $800 for uncomplicated cases," with complicated cases costing several thousand dollars more. The FAQ on the same page says "$500 to more than $1,000." Checked November 14, 2026.
• Angi, a home services marketplace, says in a cost guide updated October 30, 2026 that homeowners pay a national average of $600 in 2026, with most paying $400 to $750.

A builder may need several certificates per building (see below).

How to read an elevation certificate

Section A, property information. A1 to A6 give the owner, address, parcel, building use, coordinates and photographs. A7 is the building diagram number, 1A through 9. The surveyor picks the diagram "that best represents the building" and measures the elevations it calls for. Diagram 2A is a building with a basement, Diagram 5 one on piers, posts, piles, columns or shear walls with no obstructions below, and Diagram 9 a sub-grade crawlspace. A8 and A9 cover crawlspaces, enclosures, garages and flood openings.

Section B, flood map information. B1 to B7 identify the community, its NFIP number and the map panel and dates. B8 is the flood zone and B9 the BFE (flood depth in Zone AO). B11 is the BFE's datum: NGVD 1929, NAVD 1988 or other.

Section C, building elevations. C1 says whether the numbers come from construction drawings, a building under construction or finished construction. For the first two, "A new Elevation Certificate will be required when construction of the building is complete." C2 lists the benchmark and datum, then:

• C2.a, top of bottom floor, including a basement, crawlspace or enclosure floor.
• C2.b, top of the next higher floor.
• C2.c, bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member. For floodplain compliance, the instructions require it for "all Building Diagrams 5 and 6 in V Zones in areas seaward of the LiMWA, and in other areas regulated for coastal flooding hazards."
• C2.d, attached garage slab, and C2.e, lowest machinery and equipment, such as a furnace.
• C2.f to C2.h, lowest and highest adjacent grade, the ground next to the building, and the lowest grade at an attached deck or stairs.

Section D, the certification. Look for a name, license number, seal, signature and date. Comments should explain any datum conversion and any LOMA or map revision.

Sections E to I hold the non-survey measurements, owner signatures, community entries and first floor height.

The comparison that matters. The form says "Datum used for building elevations must be the same as that used for the BFE." On one datum, compare:

• The lowest floor with B9 in an A zone. Section C does not decide which floor counts, so ask the community, or read G9.a, the as-built lowest floor, if the community filled in Section G. With hypothetical figures for a slab-on-grade house where C2.a is the lowest floor, a BFE of 12.0 feet and a C2.a of 13.4 feet put the lowest floor 1.4 feet above the BFE.
• C2.c with B9 in a V zone.
• C2.f with B9 for a LOMA. FEMA's LOMA tips say the lowest adjacent grade includes ground at any attached deck or garage, so check C2.h too.

If the datum boxes in B11 and C2 differ and Section D shows no conversion, ask the surveyor before relying on the comparison. Our NGVD 29 vs NAVD 88 guide explains why there is no single correction.

Elevation certificates when buying or developing land

Before you buy a house or lot in Zone A or AE

• Get the certificate early, from the seller or the community's files.
• Match it to today's map. The instructions say to use the flood study and map "in effect at the time of the certification," so an old certificate may cite an old map. Check the current panel and BFE at FEMA's Map Service Center or with the community.
• Confirm with the community which floor counts as the lowest, and compare it with B9 on one datum. Section G can record the community's as-built lowest floor (G9.a) and its minimum required elevation, including any freeboard (G10.b). The 60.3(c)(2) rule above applies if the house is later substantially improved. Ask the insurance agent separately how the certificate affects the quote.
• Ask whether past work counted as substantial improvement. If it did, ask the community which elevation records the federal and local rules required for that work, and request them.
• Look for a LOMA. The instructions ask for a LOMA's date and case number in the comments. FEMA says a LOMA ends the federal purchase requirement "as a condition of federal or federally backed financing," but the lender can still require insurance.

What a builder files during and after construction

The federal rule asks for the record. Each community sets the stages:

• Charlotte County, Florida requires an "Under Construction" certificate "prior to the lintel being poured" and a "Final" certificate "before the final inspections can be scheduled," and says the permit cannot be completed without one showing compliance.
• Fairfax County, Virginia requires a lowest floor certificate "after the foundation inspection passes and prior to the framing inspection," on top of the final certificate before final inspection. The county says this comes from the 2018 Virginia building code, effective July 1, 2022.
• Henderson County, North Carolina requires three: one before the actual start of new construction, one within seven calendar days of establishing the reference level, and a final as-built certificate before the Floodplain Development Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy is issued. A missing or uncorrected certificate is cause, at those stages, to deny the permit, stop work or withhold that certificate. In Zones A, AO and AE, the ordinance exempts recreational vehicles, temporary nonresidential structures and accessory structures under 150 square feet that meet its specific standards for each.

Build those stages into the schedule and survey budget.

Elevation certificate vs. topographic survey

An elevation certificate measures one building. A topographic survey maps the ground across a site, so on a vacant lot it is the tool. As we read it, a topographic survey on the BFE's datum shows how much of the lot sits above the flood elevation and roughly how high a house would need to be raised. A boundary survey fixes the lines, and our land survey cost guide covers pricing.

Where it shows up in a deal

The certificate sits in the community's permit file (Section G carries the permit number and occupancy date) and in the owner's and insurance agent's files. If it supported a LOMA or LOMR-F, keep FEMA's letter with it.

Where Pillar fits

Pillar's map layers can show FEMA floodplain over parcel boundaries, so you can see which lots touch a flood zone before ordering a certificate or survey. A map layer is not an elevation certificate, so confirm the zone, BFE and elevations from the sources above.

Quick answers

Is an elevation certificate required for flood insurance? Not for an NFIP policy. FEMA says it "is not required to purchase coverage," though one may lower the cost.

Who can complete an elevation certificate? A land surveyor, engineer or architect authorized by state law signs the survey sections. Owners or local officials may complete Sections E and H where the form allows.

How much does an elevation certificate cost? We found no official fee schedule. FloodHelpNY says uncomplicated cases can cost $500 to $800, and Angi gives a 2026 national average of $600. Ask professionals licensed in your state for quotes.

Do elevation certificates expire? No, unless physical changes to the building invalidate it. A change of owner does not.

Do I need an elevation certificate to build in a flood zone? Ask the community. Federal rules require the community to obtain and record the lowest floor elevation of new and substantially improved buildings in Zone A where BFE data are used. In Zones V1-30, VE and V, it must obtain and record the elevation of the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor, excluding pilings and columns, for new and substantially improved buildings. The rules do not require this exact form; local rules set the form and the filing stages.

How do I find an elevation certificate for my house? Ask the seller or builder, then the floodplain administrator. Some counties, such as Miami-Dade, publish searches.

Can an elevation certificate get me out of a flood zone? Not by itself. It can support a LOMA or LOMR-F request, and FEMA then issues a determination approving or denying the change.