How to Get an Elevation Certificate in Florida

If you need flood insurance in Florida — or want to lower your current premiums — you likely need an elevation certificate. This document records the elevation of your building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in your flood zone, and insurance companies use it to calculate your premium.

Here is the step-by-step process to obtain one.

Step 1: Check for an Existing Certificate

Before paying for a new elevation certificate, check if one already exists for your property:

• County floodplain manager: Many Florida counties maintain elevation certificate records. Call your county building department and ask for the floodplain administrator
• Your insurance agent: If the previous owner had flood insurance, the insurance company may have a copy on file
• Closing documents: Check your home purchase closing package — the seller or title company may have included one
• FEMA NFIP Community Rating System: Some communities participating in the CRS program maintain public databases of elevation certificates

If an existing elevation certificate is found and no changes have been made to the building, you may be able to use it for insurance purposes.

Step 2: Hire a Licensed Surveyor

If no existing certificate is available, you need to hire a Florida-licensed Professional Surveyor and Mapper (PSM). When contacting surveyors:

• Provide your property address and state that you need an elevation certificate
• Mention whether this is for a new flood insurance policy, a renewal, or a LOMA application
• Ask about turnaround time and pricing
• Verify the surveyor is licensed on the FDACS website

Typical cost: $400 to $900 in Florida.

Step 3: The Field Visit

The surveyor visits your property and performs the following measurements:

1. Benchmark connection: GPS equipment connects to a published vertical benchmark (NAVD88 datum) to establish accurate elevations
2. Building measurements: The lowest floor elevation, lowest adjacent grade, and highest adjacent grade around the building perimeter
3. Foundation type: Documents whether the building is slab-on-grade, crawlspace, basement, or elevated on pilings
4. Attached garage: If applicable, the garage floor elevation is measured separately
5. Machinery and equipment: Location and elevation of outdoor HVAC units, generators, and similar equipment

The field visit typically takes 1-2 hours for a standard residential property.

Step 4: Receive Your Certificate

The surveyor completes the FEMA Elevation Certificate form (FEMA Form 086-0-33), which includes:

• Section A: Property information (address, building use, NFIP community number)
• Section B: Flood insurance rate map information (flood zone, BFE, map panel number)
• Section C: Building elevation information (all measured elevations)
• Section D: Surveyor certification (signature, license number, date)

Delivery is typically 3-5 business days after the field visit. You receive a sealed and signed PDF document.

Step 5: Submit to Your Insurance Company

Send the completed elevation certificate to your flood insurance agent or company. They will use it to determine your premium. If your building is at or above the BFE, you may see a significant premium reduction — potentially $500 to $2,000+ per year.

Bonus: Applying for a LOMA

If the elevation certificate shows your property is above the BFE and you believe it was incorrectly mapped in a high-risk flood zone, you may qualify for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A LOMA officially removes your property from the high-risk flood zone, potentially eliminating the flood insurance requirement entirely.

The LOMA application requires:

• A completed elevation certificate
• FEMA MT-1 application form
• Community acknowledgment form signed by your local floodplain administrator
• Supporting documents (deed, plat, prior survey)

FEMA processes LOMA applications for free, and most are approved within 60 days.