Elevation Certificates in Lehigh County, PA
The Lehigh River is one of the defining geographic features of Allentown and the broader Lehigh Valley. It is also the source of significant flood risk for properties along its banks and in its low-lying floodplain. Jordan Creek, a major tributary that flows through western Allentown before joining the Lehigh, adds additional flood exposure to neighborhoods on the city's west side.
If your property sits in or near a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area in Lehigh County, you may need an elevation certificate to obtain flood insurance, satisfy a lender requirement, or appeal your flood zone designation.
Where Flood Risk Is Concentrated in Lehigh County
FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps designate portions of Allentown and Bethlehem as Zone AE, the most common designation for areas with a one-percent annual flood chance (also called the 100-year floodplain). The Lehigh River's floodplain extends into lower-lying residential and commercial areas of Allentown, particularly on the east and south sides of the city.
Jordan Creek creates its own flood zones as it moves through residential neighborhoods in western and central Allentown. Properties near Jordan Creek Park and the areas where Jordan Creek flows toward its confluence with the Lehigh River can fall in AE zones even if they are several blocks from the main river channel.
Smaller tributaries and low-lying areas throughout Lehigh County may also carry Zone X or Zone AE designations depending on local drainage conditions. The only way to know your property's exact flood zone status is to check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov using your address or parcel number.
What an Elevation Certificate Shows
An elevation certificate is a standardized FEMA form completed by a licensed surveyor. It documents:
- The elevation of the lowest floor of your structure above sea level (using NAVD 88, the national datum)
- The Base Flood Elevation at your property as shown on the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
- The flood zone designation for your parcel
- The construction type and any enclosures or attached garages below the main floor
- Whether the building has flood openings or other flood mitigation features
Insurance agents use this information to calculate your flood insurance premium under the National Flood Insurance Program. Lenders use it to confirm flood insurance coverage before approving a mortgage on a property in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
How an Elevation Certificate Can Reduce Your Flood Insurance Premium
The relationship between elevation and flood insurance cost is direct: the higher your lowest floor sits above the Base Flood Elevation, the lower your annual premium. If your property's lowest floor is at or above the BFE, NFIP premiums drop sharply compared to properties at or below the BFE.
For properties in Allentown or Bethlehem that were built with basements or low first floors near the Lehigh River, the elevation certificate may confirm significant flood exposure and a corresponding premium. But for properties that were graded or built above the floodplain, the certificate often reveals that the flood insurance cost is much lower than the default rate would suggest.
Homeowners who purchased property without an elevation certificate and paid default flood insurance rates sometimes find, after getting a certificate, that they have been overpaying for years. Some lenders and insurance agents accept a new elevation certificate to recalculate premiums retroactively for a partial refund.
Cost of an Elevation Certificate in Lehigh County
A licensed land surveyor in Lehigh County typically charges $400 to $700 for an elevation certificate. The lower end applies to straightforward single-family homes with easy access to the foundation. Properties with unusual construction, finished basements, or difficult site access may push toward the higher end.
Rush requests, meaning certificates needed within a few days for a closing, generally carry a premium. If your closing date is firm, contact surveyors as early as possible. During busy real estate seasons, turnaround times of one to two weeks are common.
Getting an Elevation Certificate in Lehigh County
Only a licensed Professional Land Surveyor, licensed professional engineer, or licensed architect can complete and sign an elevation certificate in Pennsylvania under the Professional Land Surveyors Act, 63 P.S. section 148. Verify any surveyor's license at pals.pa.gov before hiring.
With 24 surveying businesses operating in Lehigh County, you have options. Contact two or three firms, provide your address, parcel number, and your reason for needing the certificate, and ask for a written quote and estimated turnaround. Many firms are familiar with the Lehigh River and Jordan Creek flood zones and can give you an accurate estimate quickly.
If you are appealing a flood zone designation through FEMA's Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process, a surveyor familiar with the FEMA process can complete the elevation certificate and assist with the supporting documentation.
Find licensed surveyors in Lehigh County who complete elevation certificates at our Lehigh County directory.