What Is an Elevation Certificate?
An elevation certificate is an official FEMA document (Form FF-206-FY-22-152) that records the elevation of a structure relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in its area. The BFE is the elevation that floodwaters are expected to reach during a 1-percent-annual-chance flood event, sometimes called the 100-year flood.
Elevation certificates are prepared and certified by a licensed Professional Land Surveyor, licensed engineer, or licensed architect. The certificate records precise elevation measurements at specific reference points on the structure, confirms the flood zone, and documents the relationship between the building and the surrounding flood risk.
Common reasons Arizona property owners need an elevation certificate:
- A mortgage lender requires one before closing on a property in or near a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
- You want to challenge a FEMA flood zone designation through a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
- Your flood insurance is expensive and you believe your structure sits above the BFE
- You are buying or selling a property in a designated flood zone
- You are building a new structure and the permit requires documentation of finished floor elevation
Arizona Has Active Flood Zones
Arizona's reputation as a dry desert state leads many property owners to assume flood insurance is not a concern. That assumption can be costly. The state's monsoon season, which runs from June through September, delivers intense rainfall that can overwhelm normally dry washes and rivers within minutes. Flash flooding is one of the leading weather-related causes of death in Arizona.
FEMA has mapped substantial flood zones across the state. Key flood-prone areas include:
Maricopa County
The Salt River corridor through the Phoenix metro has mapped flood zones affecting properties in Tempe, Mesa, and portions of Phoenix. The Agua Fria River through the northwest valley, including areas of Peoria, Surprise, and Goodyear, has active SFHA designations. Numerous smaller washes crossing suburban areas are also mapped, including the Skunk Creek, New River, and Cave Creek floodplains.
Pima County and Tucson
The Santa Cruz River runs through central Tucson and has flood zones affecting residential and commercial properties on both banks. Rillito River, Pantano River, and the Canada del Oro wash all have FEMA-mapped floodplains. Many Tucson-area properties near these watercourses carry flood zone designations that are not immediately obvious from looking at the surrounding desert landscape.
Northern Arizona
The Little Colorado River and its tributaries near Flagstaff, Winslow, and Show Low carry active flood zone designations. The Verde River in Yavapai County affects properties near Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Clarkdale. The Colorado River along the western border creates flood zones in Mohave County near Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City.
Southern Arizona
The San Pedro River in Cochise County, the Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County, and various washes in the Nogales area carry FEMA designations. Properties in the Tubac and Amado areas near the Santa Cruz River have seen flood zone changes as FEMA updates its maps.
Elevation Certificate Cost in Arizona
Arizona elevation certificate pricing varies based on several factors.
| Scenario | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard residential property, Phoenix or Tucson metro | $350 to $600 |
| Rural or remote property | $500 to $800 |
| Property with difficult access or complex terrain | $600 to $1,000+ |
| New construction (combined with other survey work) | Often discounted as part of a package |
If you are ordering an elevation certificate alongside a boundary survey, ask the firm about a combined package. The field trip for a boundary survey and the elevation measurements can often be done in one visit, reducing the total cost.
How the Process Works
Getting an elevation certificate in Arizona follows a standard sequence:
Step 1: Confirm Your Flood Zone
Before ordering, check whether your property is in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Enter your address and view the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for your area. If your property falls in Zone A, AE, VE, or a similar high-risk designation, an elevation certificate is likely relevant. If you are in Zone X (low to moderate risk), you may not need one, though some lenders still request them for properties near zone boundaries.
Step 2: Hire a Licensed Arizona Surveyor
Contact a licensed Professional Land Surveyor certified by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration. Provide your property address, parcel number, and the flood zone from the FIRM. The surveyor will confirm whether an elevation certificate is the right product for your situation and provide a quote.
Step 3: Field Measurement
The surveyor visits your property and measures the elevations of specific reference points: the lowest floor, top of bottom floor, lowest adjacent grade, highest adjacent grade, and any attached garage floor, among others. These are the exact points FEMA specifies on Form FF-206-FY-22-152. The measurements are taken using precision level equipment referenced to a verified benchmark elevation.
Step 4: Certificate Completion and Delivery
The surveyor completes all sections of the FEMA form, signs and seals it, and delivers it to you in digital and often printed form. Most Arizona firms deliver within one to two weeks of the field visit. You provide the completed certificate to your lender, insurer, or local floodplain administrator as required.
Using an Elevation Certificate to Reduce Insurance Costs
If your structure sits above the Base Flood Elevation, the elevation certificate documents that fact. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums are heavily influenced by how high your lowest floor sits above or below the BFE. Properties one foot above the BFE pay substantially less than those at or below it.
If you believe your property may be above the BFE but you are currently paying high flood insurance premiums, an elevation certificate is often worth the cost. The savings in reduced premiums can recover the certificate cost in a single policy year.
You can also use an elevation certificate to support a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) application to FEMA if you believe your property was incorrectly included in a flood zone. A successful LOMA removes the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for federally backed mortgages.
Verifying Your Surveyor in Arizona
Only licensed professionals can certify FEMA elevation certificates. In Arizona, verify any surveyor's license at btr.az.gov before hiring. The license lookup shows whether the license is active, the date it was issued, and any disciplinary history. An elevation certificate prepared by an unlicensed individual is not accepted by lenders, insurers, or FEMA.
Browse our directory to find a licensed Arizona land surveyor who prepares elevation certificates in your county, including firms serving flood-prone areas along the Salt River, Santa Cruz River, and Little Colorado River corridors.