ELEVATION CERTIFICATE

An elevation certificate is a tool used by the National Flood Insurance Program to assess a particular property’s flooding risk.  This ensures that each structure filed within the program is in compliance with the floodplain management code. Alternatively, insurance companies use elevation certificates to determine flood insurance rates for their prospective clients.  A structure’s susceptibility to flood damage is a vital contributing factor in assessing premium rates. This report documents the existing base flood elevation and discloses the elevations at different areas of the building or dwelling.

Another program that makes use of elevation certificates is the New York Rising program.  In the advent of Hurricane Sandy New York State established this program to raise existing coastal homes above the base flood elevation.  This in turn lessens their risk of flooding. The New York Rising program requires elevation certificates for each step off raising a home.  A preliminary elevation certificate is needed first to initiate the project. This report will show the elevations of the structure prior to the raising.  After the proposed plans have been drafted, a proposed elevation certificate will be prepared showing the proposed elevations on the plans. Finally, when the house is lifted and all the construction is finished, a final elevation certificate is prepared documenting the new elevations of the site and the finished floors of the dwelling.