Form FEMA Form 81-31 FEMA Form 81-31 Elevation Certificate and Instructions

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
AND
INSTRUCTIONS

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT NOTICE
Public reporting burden for the Elevation Certificate is estimated to average 3.5 hours per response. Burden means the
time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide information to
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). You are not required to respond to the collection of information
unless a valid OMB control number is displayed in the upper right corner of the form. You may send comments regarding
the accuracy of the burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to: U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mitigation Division, 500 C Street SW, Washington DC 20472,
Paperwork Reduction Project (1660-0008). NOTE: Do not send your completed form to this address. To obtain or
retain benefits under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you must respond to this collection of information.

PURPOSE OF THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is to be
used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management
ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment
(LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F).
The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after
publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), located in flood insurance Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE),
VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO. The Elevation Certificate is not
required for pre-FIRM buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional post-FIRM flood insurance rules.
As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in a community, the NFIP requires the community to adopt
a floodplain management ordinance that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement
is for the community to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially
improved buildings, and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for a
community to document compliance with the community’s floodplain management ordinance.
Use of this certificate does not provide a waiver of the flood insurance purchase requirement. 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. However, the lending institution has the option of requiring
flood insurance even if a LOMA/LOMR-F has been issued by FEMA. The Elevation Certificate may be used to support a
LOMA or LOMR-F request. Lowest floor and lowest adjacent grade elevations certified by a surveyor or engineer will be
required if the certificate is used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F request. A LOMA or LOMR-F request must be
submitted with either a completed FEMA MT-EZ or MT-1 package, whichever is appropriate.
This certificate is used only to certify building elevations. A separate certificate is required for floodproofing. Under the
NFIP, non-residential buildings can be floodproofed up to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). A floodproofed
building is a building that has been designed and constructed to be watertight (substantially impermeable to floodwaters)
below the BFE. Floodproofing of residential buildings is not permitted under the NFIP unless FEMA has granted the
community an exception for residential floodproofed basements. The community must adopt standards for design and
construction of floodproofed basements before FEMA will grant a basement exception. For both floodproofed nonresidential buildings and residential floodproofed basements in communities that have been granted an exception by
FEMA, a floodproofing certificate is required.
Additional guidance can be found in the FEMA Floodplain Management Bulletin about using the Elevation Certificate,
available on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/fima/fpmbul.shtm. Click on “FEMA 467-1 Elevation Certificate Cover
and Bulletin.”

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Flood Insurance Program

OMB No. 1660-0008
Expires February 28, 2009

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
Important: Read the instructions on pages 1-8.
SECTION A - PROPERTY INFORMATION

For Insurance Company Use:

A1. Building Owner’s Name

Policy Number

A2. Building Street Address (including Apt., Unit, Suite, and/or Bldg. No.) or P.O. Route and Box No.

Company NAIC Number

City

State

ZIP Code

A3. Property Description (Lot and Block Numbers, Tax Parcel Number, Legal Description, etc.)

A4.
A5.
A6.
A7.
A8.

Building Use (e.g., Residential, Non-Residential, Addition, Accessory, etc.)
Long.
Horizontal Datum:
NAD 1927
NAD 1983
Latitude/Longitude: Lat.
Attach at least 2 photographs of the building if the Certificate is being used to obtain flood insurance.
Building Diagram Number_____
For a building with a crawl space or enclosure(s), provide:
A9. For a building with an attached garage, provide:
sq ft
a) Square footage of attached garage
sq ft
a) Square footage of crawl space or enclosure(s)
b) No. of permanent flood openings in the crawl space or
b) No. of permanent flood openings in the attached garage
walls within 1.0 foot above adjacent grade
enclosure(s) walls within 1.0 foot above adjacent grade
sq in
c) Total net area of flood openings in A9.b
sq in
c) Total net area of flood openings in A8.b

SECTION B - FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) INFORMATION
B1. NFIP Community Name & Community Number
B4. Map/Panel Number

B5. Suffix

B2. County Name

B6. FIRM Index
Date

B3. State

B7. FIRM Panel
Effective/Revised Date

B8. Flood
Zone(s)

B9. Base Flood Elevation(s) (Zone
AO, use base flood depth)

B10. Indicate the source of the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) data or base flood depth entered in Item B9.
FIS Profile

FIRM

Community Determined

Other (Describe)

B11. Indicate elevation datum used for BFE in Item B9:
NGVD 1929
NAVD 1988
Other (Describe)
B12. Is the building located in a Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) area or Otherwise Protected Area (OPA)?
CBRS
OPA
Designation Date

Yes

No

SECTION C - BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION (SURVEY REQUIRED)
C1. Building elevations are based on:
Construction Drawings*
Building Under Construction*
Finished Construction
*A new Elevation Certificate will be required when construction of the building is complete.
C2. Elevations – Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, AR/AO. Complete Items C2.a-g
below according to the building diagram specified in Item A7.
Vertical Datum
Benchmark Utilized
Conversion/Comments
Check the measurement used.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Top of bottom floor (including basement, crawl space, or enclosure floor)
Top of the next higher floor
Bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member (V Zones only)
Attached garage (top of slab)
Lowest elevation of machinery or equipment servicing the building
(Describe type of equipment in Comments)
Lowest adjacent (finished) grade (LAG)
Highest adjacent (finished) grade (HAG)

.
.
.
.
.

feet
feet
feet
feet
feet

meters (Puerto Rico only)
meters (Puerto Rico only)
meters (Puerto Rico only)
meters (Puerto Rico only)
meters (Puerto Rico only)

.
.

feet
feet

meters (Puerto Rico only)
meters (Puerto Rico only)

SECTION D - SURVEYOR, ENGINEER, OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION
This certification is to be signed and sealed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect authorized by law to certify elevation
information. I certify that the information on this Certificate represents my best efforts to interpret the data available.
I understand that any false statement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001.
Check here if comments are provided on back of form.
Certifier’s Name

License Number

Title

Company Name

Address

City

Signature

FEMA Form 81-31, February 2006

PLACE
SEAL
HERE

State
Date

ZIP Code

Telephone

See reverse side for continuation.

Replaces all previous editions

IMPORTANT: In these spaces, copy the corresponding information from Section A.

For Insurance Company Use:

Building Street Address (including Apt., Unit, Suite, and/or Bldg. No.) or P.O. Route and Box No.

Policy Number

City

State

ZIP Code

Company NAIC Number

SECTION D - SURVEYOR, ENGINEER, OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION (CONTINUED)
Copy both sides of this Elevation Certificate for (1) community official, (2) insurance agent/company, and (3) building owner.
Comments

Signature

Date
Check here if attachments

SECTION E - BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION (SURVEY NOT REQUIRED) FOR ZONE AO AND ZONE A (WITHOUT BFE)
For Zones AO and A (without BFE), complete Items E1-E5. If the Certificate is intended to support a LOMA or LOMR-F request, complete Sections A, B,
and C. For Items E1-E4, use natural grade, if available. Check the measurement used. In Puerto Rico only, enter meters.
E1. Provide elevation information for the following and check the appropriate boxes to show whether the elevation is above or below the highest adjacent
grade (HAG) and the lowest adjacent grade (LAG).
a) Top of bottom floor (including basement, crawl space, or enclosure) is ______. ____
feet
meters
above or
below the HAG.
b) Top of bottom floor (including basement, crawl space, or enclosure) is ______. ____
feet
meters
above or
below the LAG.
E2. For Building Diagrams 6-8 with permanent flood openings provided in Section A Items 8 and/or 9 (see page 8 of Instructions), the next higher floor
(elevation C2.b in the diagrams) of the building is _______ . ____
feet
meters
above or
below the HAG.
E3. Attached garage (top of slab) is _______. _____
feet
meters
above or
below the HAG.
E4. Top of platform of machinery and/or equipment servicing the building is _______. ____
feet
meters
above or
below the HAG.
E5. Zone AO only: If no flood depth number is available, is the top of the bottom floor elevated in accordance with the community’s floodplain management
ordinance?
Yes
No
Unknown. The local official must certify this information in Section G.

SECTION F - PROPERTY OWNER (OR OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE) CERTIFICATION
The property owner or owner’s authorized representative who completes Sections A, B, and E for Zone A (without a FEMA-issued or community-issued BFE)
or Zone AO must sign here. The statements in Sections A, B, and E are correct to the best of my knowledge.
Property Owner’s or Owner’s Authorized Representative’s Name
Address

City

State

Signature

Date

Telephone

ZIP Code

Comments

Check here if attachments

SECTION G - COMMUNITY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL)
The local official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community’s floodplain management ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C (or E),
and G of this Elevation Certificate. Complete the applicable item(s) and sign below. Check the measurement used in Items G8. and G9.
G1.

The information in Section C was taken from other documentation that has been signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect who
is authorized by law to certify elevation information. (Indicate the source and date of the elevation data in the Comments area below.)

G2.

A community official completed Section E for a building located in Zone A (without a FEMA-issued or community-issued BFE) or Zone AO.

G3.

The following information (Items G4.-G9.) is provided for community floodplain management purposes.

G4. Permit Number
G7. This permit has been issued for:

G5. Date Permit Issued
New Construction

G6. Date Certificate Of Compliance/Occupancy Issued
Substantial Improvement

G8. Elevation of as-built lowest floor (including basement) of the building:

.

feet

meters (PR)

Datum

G9. BFE or (in Zone AO) depth of flooding at the building site:

.

feet

meters (PR)

Datum

Local Official’s Name

Title

Community Name

Telephone

Signature

Date

Comments

Check here if attachments

FEMA Form 81-31, February 2006

Replaces all previous editions

Building Photographs
See Instructions for Item A6.
For Insurance Company Use:

Building Street Address (including Apt., Unit, Suite, and/or Bldg. No.) or P.O. Route and Box No.

Policy Number

City

Company NAIC Number

State

ZIP Code

If using the Elevation Certificate to obtain NFIP flood insurance, affix at least two building photographs below according to
the instructions for Item A6. Identify all photographs with: date taken; “Front View” and “Rear View”; and, if required, “Right
Side View” and “Left Side View.” If submitting more photographs than will fit on this page, use the Continuation Page,
following.

Building Photographs
Continuation Page
For Insurance Company Use:

Building Street Address (including Apt., Unit, Suite, and/or Bldg. No.) or P.O. Route and Box No.

Policy Number

City

Company NAIC Number

State

ZIP Code

If submitting more photographs than will fit on the preceding page, affix the additional photographs below. Identify all
photographs with: date taken; “Front View” and “Rear View”; and, if required, “Right Side View” and “Left Side View.”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
The Elevation Certificate is to be completed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by law to certify
elevation information when elevation information is required for Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with
BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO. Community officials who are authorized by law or ordinance to
provide floodplain management information may also complete this form. For Zones AO and A (without BFE), a community
official, a property owner, or an owner’s representative may provide information on this certificate, unless the elevations are
intended for use in supporting a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F. Certified elevations must be included if the purpose of
completing the Elevation Certificate is to obtain a LOMA or LOMR-F.
The property owner, the owner’s representative, or local official who is authorized by law to administer the community
floodplain ordinance can complete Section A and Section B. The partially completed form can then be given to the land
surveyor, engineer, or architect to complete Section C. The land surveyor, engineer, or architect should verify the information
provided by the property owner or owner’s representative to ensure that this certificate is complete.
In Puerto Rico only, elevations for building information and flood hazard information may be entered in meters.
SECTION A – PROPERTY INFORMATION
Items A1.-A4. This section identifies the building, its location, and its owner. Enter the name(s) of the building owner(s), the
building’s complete street address, and the lot and block numbers. If the building’s address is different from the owner’s
address, enter the address of the building being certified. If the address is a rural route or a Post Office box number, enter the lot
and block numbers, the tax parcel number, the legal description, or an abbreviated location description based on distance and
direction from a fixed point of reference. For the purposes of this certificate, “building” means both a building and a
manufactured (mobile) home.
A map may be attached to this certificate to show the location of the building on the property. A tax map, FIRM, or detailed
community map is appropriate. If no map is available, provide a sketch of the property location, and the location of the
building on the property. Include appropriate landmarks such as nearby roads, intersections, and bodies of water. For building
use, indicate whether the building is residential, non-residential, an addition to an existing residential or non-residential
building, an accessory building (e.g., garage), or other type of structure. Use the Comments area of the appropriate section if
needed, or attach additional comments.
Item A5. Provide latitude and longitude coordinates for the center of the front of the building. Use either decimal degrees
(e.g., 39.5043°, -110.7585°) or degrees, minutes, seconds (e.g., 39° 30’ 15.5”, -110° 45’ 30.7”) format. If decimal degrees are
used, provide coordinates to at least 4 decimal places or better. When using degrees, minutes, seconds, provide seconds to at
least 1 decimal place or better. The latitude and longitude coordinates must be accurate within 66 feet. If the Elevation
Certificate is being certified by other than a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect, this information is not required. Provide
the type of datum used to obtain the latitude and longitude. FEMA prefers the use of NAD 1983.
Item A6. If the Elevation Certificate is being used to obtain flood insurance through the NFIP, the certifier must provide at
least two photographs showing the front and rear of the building taken within 90 days from the date of certification. The
photographs must be taken with views confirming the building description and diagram number provided in Section A. If the
building has split-level or multi-level areas, provide at least two additional photographs showing side views of the building.
All photographs must be in color and measure at least 3”x3”. Digital photographs are acceptable.
Item A7. Select the diagram on pages 7-8 that best represents the building. Then enter the diagram number and use the
diagram to identify and determine the appropriate elevations requested in Items C2.a-g. If you are unsure of the correct
diagram, select the diagram that most closely resembles the building being certified.
Item A8.a Provide the square footage of the crawl space or enclosure(s) below the lowest elevated floor of an elevated
building with or without permanent flood openings. Take the measurement from the outside of the crawl space or enclosure(s).
Examples of elevated buildings constructed with crawl space and enclosure(s) are shown in Diagrams 6-8 on page 8. Diagram
2 or 4 should be used for a building constructed with a crawl space floor that is below the exterior grade on all sides.
Items A8.b-c Enter in Item A8.b the number of permanent flood openings in the crawl space or enclosure(s) walls that are no
higher than 1.0 foot above the adjacent grade. Estimate the total net area of all such permanent flood openings in square
inches, excluding any bars, louvers, or other covers of the permanent flood openings, and enter the total in Item A8.c. If the net
Instructions – Page 1

area cannot be reasonably estimated, provide the size of the flood openings without consideration of any covers and indicate in
the Comments area the type of cover that exists in the flood openings. If the crawl space or enclosure(s) walls have no
permanent openings within 1.0 foot above adjacent grade, enter “0” (zero) in Items A8.b-c.
Item A9.a Provide the square footage of the attached garage with or without permanent flood openings.
measurement from the outside of the garage.

Take the

Items A9.b-c Enter in Item A9.b the number of permanent flood openings in the attached garage that are no higher than 1.0
foot above the adjacent grade. This includes any openings that are in the garage door that are no higher than 1.0 foot above the
adjacent grade. Estimate the total net area of all such permanent flood openings in square inches and enter the total in Item
A9.c. If the garage has no permanent flood openings within 1.0 foot above adjacent grade, enter “0” (zero) in Items A9.b-c.
SECTION B - FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) INFORMATION
Complete the Elevation Certificate on the basis of the FIRM in effect at the time of the certification.
The information for Section B is obtained by reviewing the FIRM panel that includes the building’s location. Information
about the current FIRM is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by calling 1-800-358-9616. If
a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR-F) has been issued by FEMA, please provide the
letter date and case number in the Comments area of Section D or Section G, as appropriate.
For a building in an area that has been annexed by one community but is shown on another community’s FIRM, enter the
community name and 6-digit number of the annexing community in Item B1, the name of the new county in Item B2, and the
FIRM index date for the annexing community in Item B6. Enter information from the actual FIRM panel that shows the
building location, even if it is the FIRM for the previous jurisdiction, in Items B4, B5, B7, B8, and B9.
Item B1. NFIP Community Name & Community Number. Enter the complete name of the community in which the building
is located and the associated 6-digit community number. For a newly incorporated community, use the name and 6-digit
number of the new community. Under the NFIP, a “community” is any State or area or political subdivision thereof, or any
Indian tribe or authorized native organization, that has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for
the areas within its jurisdiction. To determine the current community number, see the NFIP Community Status Book, available
on FEMA’s web site at http://www.fema.gov/fema/csb.shtm, or call 1-800-358-9616.
Item B2. County Name. Enter the name of the county or counties in which the community is located. For an unincorporated
area of a county, enter “unincorporated area.” For an independent city, enter “independent city.”
Item B3. State. Enter the 2-letter state abbreviation (for example, VA, TX, CA).
Items B4.-B5. Map/Panel Number and Suffix. Enter the 10-character “Map Number” or “Community Panel Number” shown
on the FIRM where the building or manufactured (mobile) home is located. For maps in a county-wide format, the sixth
character of the “Map Number” is the letter “C” followed by a four-digit map number. For maps not in a county-wide format,
enter the “Community Panel Number” shown on the FIRM.
Item B6. FIRM Index Date. Enter the effective date or the map revised date shown on the FIRM Index.
Item B7. FIRM Panel Effective/Revised Date. Enter the map effective date or the map revised date shown on the FIRM
panel. This will be the latest of all dates shown on the map. The current FIRM panel effective date can be determined by
calling 1-800-358-9616.
Item B8. Flood Zone(s). Enter the flood zone, or flood zones, in which the building is located. All flood zones containing the
letter “A” or “V” are considered Special Flood Hazard Areas. The flood zones are A, AE, A1-A30, V, VE, V1-V30, AH, AO,
AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO. Each flood zone is defined in the legend of the FIRM panel on which
it appears.

Instructions – Page 2

Item B9. Base Flood Elevation(s). Using the appropriate Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Profile, Floodway Data Table, or
FIRM panel, locate the property and enter the BFE (or base flood depth) of the building site. If the building is located in more
than one flood zone in Item B8, list all appropriate BFEs in Item B9. BFEs are shown on a FIRM or FIS Profile for Zones A1A30, AE, AH, V1-V30, VE, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO; flood depth numbers are shown for Zone
AO. Use the AR BFE if the building is located in any of Zones AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO. In A or V
zones where BFEs are not provided on the FIRM, BFEs may be available from another source. For example, the community
may have established BFEs or obtained BFE data from other sources for the building site. For subdivisions and other
developments of more than 50 lots or 5 acres, establishment of BFEs is required by the community’s floodplain management
ordinance. If a BFE is obtained from another source, enter the BFE in Item B9. In an A Zone where BFEs are not available,
complete Section E and enter N/A for Section B, Item B9. Enter the BFE to the nearest tenth of a foot (nearest tenth of a
meter, in Puerto Rico).
Item B10. Indicate the source of the BFE that you entered in Item B9. If the BFE is from a source other than FIS Profile,
FIRM, or community, describe the source of the BFE.
Item B11. Indicate the elevation datum to which the elevations on the applicable FIRM are referenced as shown on the map
legend. The vertical datum is shown in the Map Legend and/or the Notes to Users on the FIRM.
Item B12. Indicate whether the building is located in a Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) area or Otherwise Protected
Area (OPA). (OPAs are portions of coastal barriers that are owned by Federal, State, or local governments or by certain nonprofit organizations and used primarily for natural resources protection.) Federal flood insurance is prohibited in designated
CBRS areas or OPAs for buildings or manufactured (mobile) homes built or substantially improved after the date of the CBRS
or OPA designation. For the first CBRS designations, that date is October 1, 1983. An information sheet explaining CBRS
areas and OPAs may be obtained on FEMA’s web site at http://www.fema.gov/fhm/fmc_cbrs.shtm.
SECTION C - BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION (SURVEY REQUIRED)
Complete Section C if the building is located in any of Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE),
AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO, or if this certificate is being used to support a request for a LOMA or
LOMR-F. If the building is located in Zone AO or Zone A (without BFE), complete Section E instead. To ensure that all
required elevations are obtained, it may be necessary to enter the building (for instance, if the building has a basement or
sunken living room, split-level construction, or machinery and equipment).
Surveyors may not be able to gain access to some crawl spaces to shoot the elevation of the crawl space floor. If access to the
crawl space is limited or cannot be gained, follow one of these procedures.
• Use a yardstick or tape measure to measure the height from the floor of the crawl space to the “next higher floor,” and then
subtract the crawl space height from the elevation of the “next higher floor.” If there is no access to the crawl space, use
the exterior grade next to the structure to measure the height of the crawl space to the “next higher floor.”
• Contact the local floodplain administrator of the community in which the building is located. The community may have
documentation of the elevation of the crawl space floor as part of the permit issued for the building.
• If the property owner has documentation or knows the height of the crawl space floor to the next higher floor, try to verify
this by looking inside the crawl space through any openings or vents.
In all three cases, provide the elevation in the Comments area of Section D on the back of the form and a brief description of
how the elevation was obtained.
Item C1. Indicate whether the elevations to be entered in this section are based on construction drawings, a building under
construction, or finished construction. For either of the first two choices, a post-construction Elevation Certificate will be
required when construction is complete. If the building is under construction, include only those elevations that can be
surveyed in Items C2.a-g. Use the Comments area of Section D to provide elevations obtained from the construction plans or
drawings. Select “Finished Construction” only when all machinery and/or equipment such as furnaces, hot water heaters, heat
pumps, air conditioners, and elevators and their associated equipment have been installed and the grading around the building
is completed.
Item C2. A field survey is required for Items C2.a-g. Provide the benchmark utilized, the vertical datum for that benchmark,
and any datum conversion necessary. Most control networks will assign a unique identifier for each benchmark. For example,
the National Geodetic Survey uses the Permanent Identifier (PID). For the benchmark utilized, provide the PID or other

Instructions – Page 3

unique identifier assigned by the maintainer of the benchmark. Also provide the vertical datum for the benchmark elevation.
Show the conversion from the field survey datum used if it differs from the datum used for the BFE entered in Item B9 and
indicate the conversion software used. All elevations for the certificate, including the elevations for Items C2.a-g, must be
referenced to the datum on which the BFE is based. Show the datum conversion, if applicable, in this section or in the
Comments area of Section D. For property experiencing ground subsidence, the most recent reference mark elevations must be
used for determining building elevations. However, when subsidence is involved, the BFE should not be adjusted. Enter
elevations in Items C2.a-g to the nearest tenth of a foot (nearest tenth of a meter, in Puerto Rico).
Items C2.a-d Enter the building elevations (excluding the attached garage) indicated by the selected building diagram (Item
A7.) in Items C2.a-c. If there is an attached garage, enter the elevation for top of attached garage slab in Item C2.d. (Because
elevation for top of attached garage slab is self-explanatory, attached garages are not illustrated in the diagrams.) If the
building is located in a V zone on the FIRM, complete Item C2.c. If the flood zone cannot be determined, enter elevations for
all of Items C2.a-g. For buildings in A zones, elevations a, b, d, and e should be measured at the top of the floor. For buildings
in V zones, elevation c must be measured at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the floor (see drawing
below). For buildings elevated on a crawl space, Diagram 8, enter the elevation of the top of the crawl space floor in Item C2.a,
whether or not the crawl space has permanent flood openings (flood vents). If any item does not apply to the building, enter
“N/A” for not applicable.
BUILDING ON
SLAB

C2.a

A ZONES

BUILDING ON PILES,
PIERS, OR COLUMNS

BUILDING WITH
BASEMENT

C2.a

V ZONES

A ZONES

V ZONES

A ZONES

C2.a
C2.c
BASE FLOOD
ELEVATION

C2.c

BASE FLOOD
ELEVATION

ADJACENT
GRADE

ADJACENT
GRADE

Item C2.e Enter the lowest platform elevation of at least one of the following machinery and equipment items: elevators and
their associated equipment, furnaces, hot water heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners in an attached garage or enclosure or
on an open utility platform that provides utility services for the building. Note that elevations for these specific machinery and
equipment items are required in order to rate the building for flood insurance. Local floodplain management officials are
required to ensure that all machinery and equipment servicing the building are protected from flooding. Thus, local officials
may require that elevation information for all machinery and equipment, including ductwork, be documented on the Elevation
Certificate. If the machinery and/or equipment is mounted to a wall, pile, etc., enter the platform elevation of the machinery
and/or equipment. Indicate machinery/equipment type in the Comments area of Section D or Section G, as appropriate. If this
item does not apply to the building, enter “N/A” for not applicable.
Items C2.f-g Adjacent grade is defined as the elevation of the ground, sidewalk, patio slab, or deck support immediately next
to the building. If the certificate is to be used to support a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F, provide in the Comments area the
lowest adjacent grade elevation measured at the deck support or stairs if that elevation is lower than the building's lowest
adjacent grade. For Zone AO, use the natural grade elevation, if available. This measurement must be to the nearest tenth of a
foot (nearest tenth of a meter, in Puerto Rico) if this certificate is being used to support a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F.
SECTION D - SURVEYOR, ENGINEER, OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION
Complete as indicated. This section of the Elevation Certificate may be signed by only a land surveyor, engineer, or architect
who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. Place your license number, your seal (as allowed by the State
licensing board), your signature, and the date in the box in Section D. You are certifying that the information on this certificate
represents your best efforts to interpret the data available and that you understand that any false statement may be punishable

Instructions – Page 4

by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001. Use the Comments area of Section D, on the back of the
certificate, to provide datum, elevation, or other relevant information not specified on the front.
SECTION E - BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION (SURVEY NOT REQUIRED) FOR ZONE AO
& ZONE A (WITHOUT BFE)
Complete Section E if the building is located in Zone AO or Zone A (without BFE). Otherwise, complete Section C instead.
Explain in the Section F Comments area if the measurement provided under Items E1.- E4. is based on the “natural grade.”
Items E1.a and b Enter in Item E1.a the height to the nearest tenth of a foot (tenth of a meter in Puerto Rico) of the top of
the bottom floor (as indicated in the applicable diagram) above or below the highest adjacent grade (HAG). Enter in Item
E1.b the height to the nearest tenth of a foot (tenth of a meter in Puerto Rico) of the top of the bottom floor (as indicated in
the applicable diagram) above or below the lowest adjacent grade (LAG). For buildings in Zone AO, the community’s
floodplain management ordinance requires the lowest floor of the building be elevated above the highest adjacent grade at
least as high as the depth number on the FIRM. Buildings in Zone A (without BFE) may qualify for a lower insurance rate if
an engineered BFE is developed at the site.
Item E2. For Building Diagrams 6-8 with permanent flood openings (see page 8), enter the height to the nearest tenth of a foot
(tenth of a meter in Puerto Rico) of the next higher floor or elevated floor (as indicated in the applicable diagram) above or
below the highest adjacent grade (HAG).
Item E3. Enter the height to the nearest tenth of a foot (tenth of a meter in Puerto Rico), in relation to the highest adjacent
grade next to the building, for the top of attached garage slab. (Because elevation for top of attached garage slab is selfexplanatory, attached garages are not illustrated in the diagrams.) If this item does not apply to the building, enter “N/A”
for not applicable.
Item E4. Enter the height to the nearest tenth of a foot (tenth of a meter in Puerto Rico), in relation to the highest adjacent
grade next to the building, of the platform elevation that supports the machinery and/or equipment servicing the building.
Indicate machinery/equipment type in the Comments area of Section F. If this item does not apply to the building, enter
“N/A” for not applicable.
Item E5. For those communities where this base flood depth is not available, the community will need to determine whether
the top of the bottom floor is elevated in accordance with the community’s floodplain management ordinance.
SECTION F - PROPERTY OWNER (OR OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE) CERTIFICATION
Complete as indicated. This section is provided for certification of measurements taken by a property owner or property
owner’s representative when responding to Sections A, B, and E. The address entered in this section must be the actual
mailing address of the property owner or property owner’s representative who provided the information on the certificate.
SECTION G - COMMUNITY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL)
Complete as indicated. The community official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community’s
floodplain management ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C (or E), and G of this Elevation Certificate. Section C may be
filled in by the local official as provided in the instructions below for Item G1. If the authorized community official completes
Sections C, E, or G, complete the appropriate item(s) and sign this section.
Check Item G1. if Section C is completed with elevation data from other documentation, including elevations obtained from
the Community Rating System Elevation Software, that has been signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or
architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. Indicate the source of the elevation data and the date
obtained in the Comments area of Section G. If you are both a community official and a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or
architect authorized by law to certify elevation information, and you performed the actual survey for a building in Zones A1A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/A1-A30, AR/AE, AR/AH, or AR/AO, you must
also complete Section D.
Check Item G2. if information is entered in Section E by the community for a building in Zone A (without a FEMA-issued or
community-issued BFE) or Zone AO.

Instructions – Page 5

Check Item G3. if the information in Items G4.-G9. has been completed for community floodplain management purposes to
document the as-built lowest floor elevation of the building. Section C of the Elevation Certificate records the elevation of
various building components but does not determine the lowest floor of the building or whether the building, as constructed,
complies with the community’s floodplain management ordinance. This must be done by the community. Items G4.-G9.
provide a way to document these determinations.
Item G4. Permit Number. Enter the permit number or other identifier to key the Elevation Certificate to the permit issued for
the building.
Item G5. Date Permit Issued. Enter the date the permit was issued for the building.
Item G6. Date Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy Issued. Enter the date that the Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy
or similar written official documentation of as-built lowest floor elevation was issued by the community as evidence that all
work authorized by the floodplain development permit has been completed in accordance with the community’s floodplain
management laws or ordinances.
Item G7. New Construction or Substantial Improvement. Check the applicable box. “Substantial Improvement” means any
reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a building, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent
of the market value of the building before the start of construction of the improvement. The term includes buildings that
have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed.
Item G8. As-built lowest floor elevation. Enter the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) when the construction
of the building is completed and a final inspection has been made to confirm that the building is built in accordance with the
permit, the approved plans, and the community’s floodplain management laws or ordinances. Indicate the elevation datum
used.
Item G9. BFE. Using the appropriate FIRM panel, FIS Profile, or other data source, locate the property and enter the BFE (or
base flood depth) of the building site. Indicate the elevation datum used.
Enter your name, title, and telephone number, and the name of the community. Sign and enter the date in the appropriate
blanks.

Instructions – Page 6

BUILDING DIAGRAMS
The following eight diagrams illustrate various types of buildings. Compare the features of the building being
certified with the features shown in the diagrams and select the diagram most applicable. Enter the diagram
number in Item A7., the square footage of crawl space or enclosure(s) and the area of flood openings in square
inches in Items A8.a-c, the square footage of attached garage and the area of flood openings in square inches in
Items A9.a-c, and the elevations in Items C2.a-g.
In A zones, the floor elevation is taken at the top finished surface of the floor indicated; in V zones, the floor
elevation is taken at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member (see drawing in instructions for
Section C).
DIAGRAM 1

DIAGRAM 2

All slab-on-grade single- and multiple-floor buildings
(other than split-level) and high-rise buildings, either
detached or row type (e.g., townhouses); with or
without attached garage.

All single- and multiple-floor buildings with basement
(other than split-level) and high-rise buildings with
basement, either detached or row type (e.g.,
townhouses); with or without attached garage.

Distinguishing Feature – The bottom floor is at or above ground level
(grade) on at least one side. *

Distinguishing Feature – The bottom floor (basement or underground
garage) is below ground level (grade) on all sides. Buildings constructed
above crawl spaces that are below grade on all sides should also use this
diagram.*

C2.b

C2.a

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

C2.a

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR
BOTTOM FLOOR

GRADE

C2.f-g

C2.b

GRADE

(determined by
existing grade)

C2.f-g

DIAGRAM 3

BOTTOM FLOOR
(BASEMENT)

(determined by
existing grade)

DIAGRAM 4

All split-level buildings that are slab-on-grade, either
detached or row type (e.g., townhouses); with or
without attached garage.

All split-level buildings (other than slab-on-grade),
either detached or row type (e.g., townhouses); with or
without attached garage.

Distinguishing Feature – The bottom floor (excluding garage) is at or
above ground level (grade) on at least one side .*

Distinguishing Feature – The bottom floor (basement or underground
garage) is below ground level (grade) on all sides. Buildings constructed
above crawl spaces that are below grade on all sides should also use this
diagram. *

C2.a
C2.b
HIGHER
FLOORS

GRADE

C2.f-g

BOTTOM
FLOOR

(determined by
existing grade)

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

C2.b

C2.a
GRADE

HIGHER
FLOORS
BOTTOM FLOOR
(BASEMENT)

C2.f-g

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

(determined by
existing grade)

* A floor that is below ground level (grade) on all sides is considered a basement even if the floor is used for living purposes, or as an office,
garage, workshop, etc.
Instructions – Page 7

DIAGRAM 5

DIAGRAM 6

All buildings elevated on piers, posts, piles, columns,
or parallel shear walls. No obstructions below the
elevated floor.

All buildings elevated on piers, posts, piles, columns,
or parallel shear walls with full or partial enclosure
below the elevated floor.

Distinguishing Feature – For all zones, the area below the elevated floor is
open, with no obstruction to flow of flood waters (open lattice work and/or
readily removable insect screening is permissible).

Distinguishing Feature – For all zones, the area below the elevated floor is
enclosed, either partially or fully. In A Zones, the partially or fully enclosed
area below the elevated floor is with or without openings** present in the
walls of the enclosure. Indicate information about enclosure size and
openings in Section A – Property Information.

C2.b
NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

C2.a

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

C2.a

C2.b
ELEVATED
FLOOR

ELEVATED
FLOOR

A8.a-c
GRADE

C2.f-g

GRADE

(determined by
existing grade)

C2.c

(For V zones only)

C2.f-g

ENCLOSURE

Determine
enclosure size &
openings, if any.

C2.c

(For V zones only)

(determined by
existing grade)

DIAGRAM 7

DIAGRAM 8

All buildings elevated on full-story foundation walls
with a partially or fully enclosed area below the
elevated floor. This includes walkout levels, where at
least one side is at or above grade. The principal use
of this building is located in the elevated floors of the
building.

All buildings elevated on a crawl space with the floor of
the crawl space at or above grade on at least one side,
with or without an attached garage.

Distinguishing Feature – For all zones, the area below the elevated floor is
enclosed, either partially or fully. In A Zones, the partially or fully enclosed
area below the elevated floor is with or without openings** present in the
walls of the enclosure. Indicate information about enclosure size and
openings in Section A – Property Information.

Distinguishing Feature – For all zones, the area below the first floor is
enclosed by solid or partial perimeter walls. In all A zones, the crawl space
is with or without openings** present in the walls of the crawl space.
Indicate information about crawl space size and openings in Section A –
Property Information.

C2.a
C2.a

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

GRADE

C2.f

GRADE

C2.f

C2.b

C2.b

C2.g

C2.g

WALKOUT LEVEL
(ENCLOSURE)

CRAWL SPACE

A8.a

A8.b-c

NEXT HIGHER
FLOOR

A8.b-c

OPENINGS**

A8.a
OPENINGS**

** An “opening” is defined as a permanent opening in a wall that allows for the free passage of water automatically in both directions without
human intervention. Under the NFIP, a minimum of two openings is required for enclosures or crawl spaces with a total net area of not less than
one square inch for every square foot of area enclosed. Each opening must be on different sides of the enclosed area. If a building has more than
one enclosed area, each area must have openings on exterior walls to allow floodwater to directly enter. The bottom of the openings must be no
higher than one foot above the grade underneath the flood vents. Alternatively, you may submit a certification by a registered professional
engineer or architect that the design will allow for the automatic equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls. A window, a door, or
a garage door is not considered an opening.
Instructions – Page 8