Elevation Certificates in Illinois: What You Need to Know in 2026
An elevation certificate is an official document that records the elevation of your building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in your area. If your Illinois property sits in or near a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, you may need one to obtain flood insurance, qualify for a lower premium, or satisfy a lender's requirements. This guide explains when you need one, what it costs, and how to get it.
What Is a Base Flood Elevation
FEMA defines the Base Flood Elevation as the elevation that floodwaters are expected to reach during the 1-percent-annual-chance flood (also called the 100-year flood). The BFE is shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Your elevation certificate documents where your lowest floor sits in relation to the BFE. If your floor is above the BFE, your flood insurance premium will generally be lower than if your floor is at or below it.
Do You Need an Elevation Certificate in Illinois
Not every Illinois property owner needs an elevation certificate. You most likely need one if:
- Your property is located in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A, AE, AH, AO, or VE on the FIRM)
- Your mortgage lender requires flood insurance as a loan condition
- You want to appeal your flood zone designation (LOMA or LOMR-F application)
- You want to document that your structure is above the BFE to potentially lower your NFIP premium
- You are building a new structure in a flood zone and your local floodplain ordinance requires elevation documentation
Check your flood zone status at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) before ordering a certificate. If you are in Zone X (minimal flood risk), you most likely do not need one.
Illinois Flood Zones: Where Elevation Certificates Are Most Commonly Needed
Illinois has significant flood exposure along several major river corridors. Properties in these areas are most likely to require elevation certificates:
Illinois River Corridor
The Illinois River flows through Peoria, Fulton, Mason, Calhoun, and other counties. Many communities along this corridor have properties in AE and A flood zones. Spring flooding is a recurring issue, and FEMA flood maps in these areas are regularly updated.
Rock River Corridor
The Rock River runs through Whiteside, Rock Island, Lee, and Ogle counties in northern Illinois. Properties in river towns like Rock Island and Rockford can be subject to significant floodplain regulations.
Kaskaskia and Wabash River Corridors
Southern Illinois counties including Randolph, Monroe, Washington, White, and Wabash have flood-prone areas along the Kaskaskia and Wabash rivers. Some properties here have been in flood zones for decades and carry older, potentially outdated elevation certificates.
Chicago Metro Drainage Areas
While most Chicago metro areas are not in riverine flood zones, some low-lying areas in Cook, Will, and DuPage counties sit in FEMA-designated flood zones due to drainage issues and urban stormwater. Local floodplain managers in these counties can tell you if your property is affected.
Elevation Certificate Costs in Illinois
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Standalone elevation certificate (downstate) | $350 to $600 |
| Standalone elevation certificate (Chicago metro) | $450 to $750 |
| Elevation certificate added to boundary survey | $300 to $600 additional |
| Re-certification of existing certificate | $150 to $300 |
Costs vary based on the complexity of the site, the surveyor's travel time, and how much research is required to locate the relevant FIRM and BFE for your property. Always confirm what is included in the quote before hiring.
Who Can Prepare an Elevation Certificate in Illinois
FEMA requires an elevation certificate to be completed by a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized to certify elevation information under state law. In Illinois, this means a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) under 225 ILCS 330/. You can verify an Illinois PLS license at idfpr.illinois.gov.
Do not rely on elevation certificates prepared by unlicensed individuals. Your insurer and lender will require a certificate signed and sealed by a qualified professional.
How the Elevation Certificate Process Works
Getting an elevation certificate in Illinois follows these basic steps:
- Contact a licensed Illinois PLS who has experience with FEMA elevation work
- The surveyor visits your property and measures the elevation of your lowest floor, lowest adjacent grade, and other required reference points
- The surveyor determines your property's flood zone and BFE by referencing the current FIRM panel for your area
- The surveyor completes FEMA Form 086-0-33 (the official elevation certificate form) and certifies it with their seal
- You receive the completed certificate, which you provide to your insurer, lender, or local permit office as required
The process typically takes one to three weeks from initial contact to delivery of the completed certificate.
Using an Elevation Certificate to Lower Flood Insurance Costs
Under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), premiums are based in part on the relationship between your lowest floor elevation and the BFE. If your structure was built above the BFE, an elevation certificate can document this and support a lower rating. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) administers floodplain management programs in Illinois and can provide guidance on local floodplain ordinances that may interact with your insurance situation.
If you believe your property has been incorrectly placed in a flood zone, an elevation certificate can support a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) request to FEMA, potentially removing your property from the flood zone entirely. A LOMA can eliminate the mandatory flood insurance requirement for federally backed mortgages.
Keeping Your Elevation Certificate Current
FEMA updates Flood Insurance Rate Maps periodically. When a new FIRM is issued for your area, your old elevation certificate may still be valid, but the BFE may have changed. If your area receives a FIRM update, it is worth checking with your insurer whether a new elevation certificate would help your premium. Many older certificates in Illinois riverine counties were issued before recent FIRM updates and may no longer reflect current flood mapping.
Find a Licensed Illinois Surveyor for Your Elevation Certificate
Ready to get an elevation certificate in Illinois? Our directory connects you with licensed Professional Land Surveyors in your county who have flood zone experience. Find an Illinois surveyor at our Illinois land surveyor directory.