What are Floodplain Management Construction Certificates?
“Construction Certificates” is a general term for all floodplain-related certificates that are required by county building codes and/or floodplain management regulations. Local officials utilize construction certificates to assist in determining compliance with flood damage reduction regulations set forth in county codes. Some construction certificates may also be used by insurance agents to determine if a more favorable flood insurance premium can be achieved.
The following is a list of floodplain management construction certificates that the county may require as part of its building and/or floodplain development permit processes:
- Elevation Certificates,
- Non-Residential Floodproofing Certificates,
- V Zone Certificates, and
- Engineered Opening Certificates.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON FEMA’S ELEVATION AND FLOODPROOFING CERTIFICATE FORMS EXPIRING ON 11/30/22
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Elevation Certificate and Dry Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures are currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Until the review process is complete, existing forms (with the November 30, 2022 expiration date) can still be used.
FEMA will issue a memorandum highlighting the changes to the forms and will make them available on their website. At that time the new forms must be used immediately (no transition period allowed)
If you have any questions, please contact NFIPUnderwritingMailbox@fema.dhs.gov
Download WYO Bulletin: FEMA W-22020
In addition to construction certificates, other technical documentation (i.e. no-rise certification, topographic survey, etc.) may be required to verify compliance. Submittal requirements can be found in each county’s floodplain development regulations.
To learn how construction certificates can impact a CRS community’s ability to receive flood insurance premium discounts, read page A-17 in FEMA’s 2021 addendum to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 2017 Community Rating System’s (CRS) Coordinator Manual.
Elevation Certificates
An Elevation Certificate (EC) is an important administrative tool used to document surveyed elevation data and other related information for new and substantially improved structures in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs).
Each county may require submittal of proposed building elevations and surveyed elevations at different stages of the building permit and construction process. The elevations must be documented on the county’s flood hazard certification form and FEMA’s EC. The completed “Finished Construction” EC will assist local officials in determining a building’s compliance with county floodplain management regulations.
Each county’s building elevation submittal requirements can be found below.
Although an EC is required for floodplain development, it is no longer be required to purchase flood insurance coverage. FEMA has updated the National Flood Insurance Program‘s (NFIP) risk rating methodology through the implementation of a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0 that leverages industry best practices and cutting-edge technology. This new rating methodology allows FEMA to provide individualized flood insurance premiums that are specific to a building’s unique characteristics and flood risk. However, a property owner may choose to provide an EC to their agent to determine if it will lower their insurance premiums.
Building Elevation Requirements by County
Want to learn how to correctly fill out an EC?
FEMA has developed an 8 part training video series posted on the Community Rating System’s YouTube page. Five of the videos focus on how to complete each section of the form. While the remaining three, are companion videos which highlight general issues and ways to correct the form.
Non-Residential Floodproofing Certificates
Section Under Construction
V Zone Certificates
Section Under Construction
Engineered Opening Certificates
Section Under Construction