Elevation Certificates

What is an Elevation Certificate?

The elevation certificate is a document prepared by a land surveyor (or other licensed individual or company) that details the elevation of your home in reference to the Base Flood Elevation, which is also referred to as the “BFE.” The BFE is basically the level at which flood waters will top out on your particular property. The elevation information must be submitted on the Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) in effect at the time that the Elevation Certificate was completed and signed. Elevation Certificates can only be completed by a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is licensed by the State to perform such functions.

Why do I need an Elevation Certificate?

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Elevation Certificate (EC) is an administrative tool of the NFIP which is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to determine the proper insurance premium rate, or support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Additionally, it is an important floodplain administration tool, as it provides the floodplain administrator the information needed to support a floodplain permit and ensure compliance with local flood hazard mitigation regulations and the NFIP program.

Elevation Certificate Forms:

Below is a fillable .PDF form of an Elevation Certificate, that you may have a registered surveyor in the State of Ohio complete. Additionally, the Elevation Certificate Checklist highlights the information that MUST be provided by the surveyor on the form. It is important that an elevation certificate is filled in completely in order for it to be valid. An incomplete certificate cannot be used or accepted for any NFIP, Insurance and floodplain permitting purposes.

Elevation Certificate Fillable Form (Effective July 7, 2023 Expiration Date June 30, 2026 )

Elevation Certification Checklist

Additional Guidance for the Revised Elevation Certificate

Elevation Certificates Completed:

Below you will find the Elevation Certificates that the Licking County Planning Commission currently has on record. The Licking County Planning Commission started maintaining certificates in 1984 and has obtained most certificates from floodplain permits. The certificates are listed by year issued and property address. Once you locate the appropriate property address, please click on the address to open a .PDF of the Elevation Certificate for that address.

If you do not find an Elevation Certificate for your address and are required to provide one for purposes such as but not limited to insurance policies, loans, permits, LOMA, etc., you will need to hire a licensed surveyor in the State of Ohio to complete the Elevation Certificate. This will require the surveyor to take field (on-site) measurements and prepare the preparation of the Elevation Certificate itself. Once, an Elevation Certificate is completed, please provide the Licking County Planning Commission with a completed copy and we will add it to the website for future reference.