When Is an Elevation Certificate Required?

Elevation Certificates are mandatory for various real estate and construction activities in Northern California:

Obtaining Flood Insurance

Insurance agents use this certificate to "rate" your policy. Without it, you may be charged the highest possible premium.

Building Permits

Most planning departments in the North Bay require an Elevation Certificate for new construction or substantial improvements in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

LOMA / LOMR Applications

If you believe your property was incorrectly mapped into a flood zone, we can provide the data for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to officially remove your structure from the flood zone.

Home Sales & Loans

Lenders often require a certificate before approving a mortgage for properties in high-risk zones.

Our Elevation Measurement Process

To provide an accurate certificate, our field crews perform a highly specific set of measurements:

Vertical Datum Establishment

We tie your property to the NAVD88 (North American Vertical Datum) using high-precision GPS or local benchmarks.

Building Measurements

We record the elevation of the "Lowest Adjacent Grade" (LAG), the "Highest Adjacent Grade" (HAG), and the "Lowest Floor" (including basements or crawlspaces).

Machinery & Equipment

We document the elevation of external utilities like HVAC units, water heaters, and electrical panels, which are critical for insurance rating.

Flood Openings

We inspect and measure hydrostatic flood vents to ensure they meet FEMA requirements for pressure relief.

Fast, Reliable Service for the Bay Area & Delta

Flood requirements can vary significantly between Dixon, Fairfield, and Martinez. We understand the local nuances of:

Zone A & AE

High-risk areas where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are established.

Zone V & VE

Coastal high-hazard areas (relevant for certain North Bay and Delta shorelines).

Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

We compare your building’s height directly against the FEMA-determined flood level to show exactly where you stand.

Frequently Asked Questions