Flood Elevation Certificate

The Elevation Certificate is used to provide information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances to determine the proper insurance premium rate. It is also needed to request a map amendment or revision.

Elevation Certificates are required to accurately rate a home’s flood risk. To obtain an elevation certificate, contact a licensed surveyor. Typically, an elevation certificate costs several hundred dollars, and can be requested as part of the survey that is done when you build or purchase a house.

By having your flood insurance policy rated using an elevation certificate, you could save money on your flood insurance premium.

The Elevation Certificate is also one way for the County to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program requirement that the community obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures and maintain a record of such information. Communities often require preparation of Elevation Certificates for properties as part of the permitting process as well.

If an Elevation Certificate has been prepared for your property, you may be able to obtain it from the property developer or your community’s building department.

Pinellas County also provides Base Flood Elevation, including Base Flood Elevations for un-numbered (A) Flood Zones. Please call (727) 464-8760.

Resources:

• Fillable Elevation Certificate 
• MT-EZ Form Application Form for Single Residential Lot or Structure Amendments to National Flood Insurance Program Maps
• MT-1 Application Form & Instructions
• MT-2 Application Forms and Instructions for Conditional Letters of Map Revision and
  Letters of Map Revision
• The Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form