Elevation Certificates in Milwaukee County
An elevation certificate documents your building's elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps. When a property is in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area, lenders with federally backed mortgages require an elevation certificate before closing. In Milwaukee County, the main flood risk corridors run along the Milwaukee River through the city's near north side, the Menomonee River through the Menomonee Valley and Wauwatosa, and the Kinnickinnic River through the city's south side.
Milwaukee County Flood Risk Areas
Milwaukee County's three river systems create flood exposure in specific corridors. The Milwaukee River, which flows south through the city before emptying into Lake Michigan, has FEMA-designated flood zones in portions of the Riverwest, Brewers Hill, and near north side neighborhoods. The Menomonee River's floodplain affects lower-lying industrial and residential land in Wauwatosa and western Milwaukee. The Kinnickinnic River, which runs through Milwaukee's Bay View and south side neighborhoods, has been the subject of significant flood mitigation work but still carries residual SFHA designations in some areas.
Some properties near Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and Shorewood may also be affected by Great Lakes high water level designations on FEMA maps.
What the Certificate Process Involves
A licensed surveyor visits the property, measures the elevation of the lowest floor and other required features, and completes the standard FEMA elevation certificate form. In Milwaukee County, the surveyor connects the measurements to an established benchmark, which are plentiful in an urban county, making this part of the process relatively straightforward. The finished certificate is handed to the property owner for use with their lender or insurance agent.
Using an Elevation Certificate to Lower Insurance Costs
If your Milwaukee County building sits above the Base Flood Elevation, an elevation certificate can qualify you for a lower National Flood Insurance Program premium. Given that NFIP premiums for properties in AE flood zones can run $1,500 to $3,000 or more per year, the cost of a $400 certificate is typically recovered quickly.
Find licensed surveyors who handle elevation certificates throughout Milwaukee County through our Milwaukee County land surveyor directory.