NFIP Elevation Certificate: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:26, 3 March 2025

Elevation Certificates (ECs) were originally designed to provide detailed elevation data that was used to identify a building's floor elevation position relative to an established floodplain.

Since October, 2021, their function has been repurposed to record the First Floor Height (FFH) measurement. Elevation Certificates are still required for LOMA applications.

ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.

Use Equinox to Complete an EC

Required Information

Property Address:

Used to identify the building and/or geolocation
The owner's name is not required, as the EC is part of the public record

Building Diagram Number:

Identifies the type of foundation and structure
Used to determine the lowest floor of the building
Assistance is provided in the Equinox Wiki and/or the application process to assist in getting the corrent foundation information

Top of the Bottom Floor:

Typically the lowest floor of the building
If the foundation is basement or enclosure, then the Next Higher Floor is needed

Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG):

The elevation of the ground next to the building's foundation
Used to determine sub-grade (below ground) foundations
Used to calculate First Floor Height

Sections of the EC

Section A of the Elevation Certificate is required. However during the application completion process in Equinox, the required information will automatically be moved into the Elevation Certificate form from the information provided in the application. Section B of the Elevation Certificate is also required. Section B is comprised of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information. This information is included as a third party lookup during the application process and is moved into the Elevation Certificate form during the application process.
Sections C, D, E, F, and G are no longer required.
Section H (New Addition):
- May be used for all flood zones
- Does require a minimum of two photographs (one of the front and one of the rear of the building) clearly showing the foundation of the building

Documentation Requirements

Include at least two photographs of the building’s front and rear, showing the foundation.
For buildings under construction, a revised EC must be submitted once construction is complete.

Additional Resources

FEMA Floodplain Elevation Certificate FAQ

This page contains information about the NFIP. Find more NFIP Resources.

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-{{draft}}{{line-nfip-newbiz}}{{info-nfip-sfip}}
+{{info-nfip-sfip}}
+'''Elevation Certificates''' (ECs) were originally designed to provide detailed elevation data that was used to identify a building's floor elevation position relative to an established floodplain.
-=== Summary ===
+Since October, 2021, their function has been repurposed to record the [[First Floor Height]] (FFH) measurement. Elevation Certificates are still required for LOMA applications.
-Elevation Certificates (ECs) are a hallmark of the NFIP. They were designed to provide detailed elevation data for accurately rating flood insurance policies. In the past, they were required for certain types of properties. Today, they are optional for NFIP insurance. Below is a summary of their purpose, required information, and specific sections used in rating.
-== Purpose ==
+[[File:Example-EC-d8crawl-2018-t-1.pdf|border|x400px|link=]]
-* Elevation Certificates document the elevation of a building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
+<big>'''''ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.'''''</big>
-* They are used to:
-** Determine the first floor height (FFH) for rating.
+{{call-eq
-** Establish eligibility for certain discounts, such as mitigation measures.
+|message = Use Equinox to Complete an EC
-** Verify compliance with floodplain management regulations.
+}}
 == Required Information ==
-# '''Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG)''':
+'''Property Address''':
-#* The elevation of the ground next to the building's foundation.
+* Used to identify the building and/or geolocation
-#* Essential for calculating the Lowest Floor Elevation (LFE).
+* The owner's name is not required, as the EC is part of the public record
-# '''Building Diagram Number''':
-#* Identifies the type of foundation and structure.
+'''Building Diagram Number''':
-#* Used to apply appropriate elevation data.
+* Identifies the type of foundation and structure
-# '''First Floor Height (FFH)''':
+* Used to determine the lowest floor of the building
-#* Calculated from the elevation difference between the LAG and the lowest floor.
+* Assistance is provided in the Equinox Wiki and/or the application process to assist in getting the corrent foundation information
+'''Top of the Bottom Floor''':
+* Typically the lowest floor of the building
+* If the foundation is basement or enclosure, then the Next Higher Floor is needed
+'''Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG)''':
+* The elevation of the ground next to the building's foundation
+* Used to determine sub-grade (below ground) foundations
+* Used to calculate [[First Floor Height]]
-{{eq-call
-|message = Use Equinox to Complete an EC
-}
 == Sections of the EC ==
+* '''Section A''' of the Elevation Certificate is required. However during the application completion process in Equinox, the required information will automatically be moved into the Elevation Certificate form from the information provided in the application. '''Section B''' of the Elevation Certificate is also required. Section B is comprised of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information. This information is included as a third party lookup during the application process and is moved into the Elevation Certificate form during the application process.
-# '''Section C (Survey Required)''':
+* '''Sections C, D, E, F, and G''' are no longer required.
-#* Must be completed by a licensed surveyor, architect, or engineer.
+* '''Section H (New Addition):'''
-#* Documents elevations for standard zones requiring a BFE.
+** May be used for all flood zones
-#* Includes specific fields for non-elevated and elevated buildings.
+** Does require a minimum of two photographs (one of the front and one of the rear of the building)  clearly showing the foundation of the building
-# '''Section E (Survey Not Required)''':
-#* Used for flood zones AO and A without BFEs.
-#* Can also apply to all zones for rating purposes but not for floodplain management.
-#* Includes LAG, Highest Adjacent Grade (HAG), and estimates if needed.
-# '''Section H (New Addition)''':
-#* Recommended for all flood zones in the updated EC form.
-#* Complements Section E for determining FFH when applicable.
 == Documentation Requirements ==
-* Signed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect.
+* Include at least two photographs of the building’s front and rear, showing the foundation.
-* Includes at least two photographs of the building’s front and rear, showing the foundation.
 * For buildings under construction, a revised EC must be submitted once construction is complete.
-== Key Points for Agents ==
+== Additional Resources ==
+* [[:File:FEMA floodplain elevation-certificate-faq 2023.pdf|FEMA Floodplain Elevation Certificate FAQ]]
-* Providing an EC does not increase premiums; FEMA’s system calculates and applies the lower rate between FEMA-sourced and EC-provided data.
+{{nfip}}
-* Properly completed ECs can qualify properties for lower premiums through accurate elevation data or mitigation discounts.
-* Ensure all required sections and photographs are included to avoid processing delays.