An Elevation Certificate is a form that is used by the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) to provide supplemental information to that found on a FIRM (Flood Rate Insurance Rate Maps). The form gives a comparison of a field measured elevation to the published BFE (Base Flood Elevation). The field work required to complete an Elevation Certificate involves determining elevations of reference points of the structure and adjacent grade. The reference points required depend on the type of structure foundation and are outlined on the Elevation Certificate. The Elevation Certificate is used to determine the proper flood insurance premium rate.
The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) prepares FIRMs to depict the extent of flood hazard areas. The Special Flood Hazard Areas are areas with a 1% or greater chance of being inundated by a flood (this is also known as a 100-year flood event). This flood, which is referred to as the "base flood", is the national standard on which the flood plain management and insurance requirements of the NFIP are based. The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements of the 1973 National Flood Insurance Act apply only when a structure is located in the flood hazard area in communities that participate in the NFIP.
Even though a portion of a parcel of land which the structure is located may be in a flood hazard area, the mandatory purchase of flood insurance is triggered only if the structure itself is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area. When flood hazard risks are being determined by lenders, firms, county officials or individuals, additional data to the FIRMs, such as an Elevation Certificate may be required.