Elevation Certificates in Kern County: What You Need to Know
Kern County is not typically associated with flooding, but flood risk is real in parts of the county. The Kern River corridor through Bakersfield, the area downstream from Lake Isabella, agricultural land near Buena Vista Lake bed, and various desert washes in the eastern and southern county all carry flood risk that FEMA has mapped as Special Flood Hazard Areas.
If your property is in or near one of these zones, you may need an elevation certificate for flood insurance, a mortgage, or a building permit. This guide explains when one is required, how much it costs, and how to get one in Kern County.
What Is an Elevation Certificate?
An elevation certificate is an official document completed by a licensed Professional Land Surveyor or licensed engineer. It records the elevation of your property's lowest floor relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) established in FEMA flood maps. Lenders and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) use it to determine whether flood insurance is required and how much it should cost.
Only a licensed PLS or licensed engineer may complete an elevation certificate. In California, PLS licensing is managed by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) at bpelsg.ca.gov.
Flood Zones in Kern County
FEMA has designated several areas in Kern County as Special Flood Hazard Areas. The most significant include:
- Kern River corridor: The Kern River runs through Bakersfield and is subject to flooding, particularly during high Sierra snowmelt. Properties close to the river's banks are in mapped flood zones.
- Isabella Lake downstream area: Lake Isabella in the Sierra Nevada foothills is a major reservoir. Properties downstream along the Kern River between Isabella and Bakersfield can be affected by dam releases and flooding events. FEMA has updated its maps in this area in recent years to reflect the spillway capacity and dam safety concerns.
- Buena Vista Lake bed area: The historic Buena Vista Lake in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley was drained for agriculture but the underlying land remains low-lying and subject to flooding. Agricultural properties in this area may be in mapped flood zones.
- Agricultural valley washes: Numerous seasonal washes and drainage channels cross the valley floor. Properties near these features in Shafter, Wasco, Delano, and the surrounding agricultural areas may fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones.
- Desert washes near Ridgecrest: The Mojave Desert experiences intense but infrequent flash flooding. Washes in the eastern county can flood rapidly during storms. Properties near these drainage channels may require elevation certificates.
When Is an Elevation Certificate Required?
You need an elevation certificate in Kern County in these situations:
- Your mortgage lender requires flood insurance because your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A, AE, AO, or similar).
- You are applying for an NFIP flood insurance policy and want an accurate premium based on your actual elevation rather than FEMA's conservative default rate.
- You are applying for a building permit for new construction or an addition in a mapped flood zone. Kern County building departments may require one as part of floodplain management regulations.
- You want to apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to remove your property from a flood zone if you believe it was mapped incorrectly.
Elevation Certificate Cost in Kern County
In Kern County, elevation certificates typically cost $200 to $500. Properties in remote areas of the county, such as those near Ridgecrest or in mountain terrain near the Kern River's upper reaches, may cost up to $600 due to travel time and site access. Kern County costs are generally lower than in high-demand urban areas like Los Angeles or the Bay Area.
The certificate is a one-time cost that can be reused for insurance renewals, refinancing, or future sales. Keep the original document with your property records.
How to Get an Elevation Certificate in Kern County
Contact a licensed Professional Land Surveyor serving Kern County. Provide your property address and Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) from the Kern County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk. The surveyor will research the FEMA flood maps, visit the property to take elevation measurements, and complete the FEMA Elevation Certificate form.
The process typically takes one to two weeks from initial contact to delivery of the completed certificate. If you need it urgently for a closing or insurance deadline, let the surveyor know upfront.
Find a Surveyor for Your Kern County Elevation Certificate
Our directory includes licensed PLS professionals serving Kern County who complete elevation certificates. Browse listings and contact surveyors directly to get a quote for your property. Make sure any surveyor you hire is licensed through BPELSG before work begins.