NFIP Elevation Certificate

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

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