An elevation certificate in Saint Louis County costs $350 to $700 for most properties. The certificate documents a building's elevation relative to the base flood elevation on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Map. It is required for National Flood Insurance Program coverage on properties in designated flood zones and can support a Letter of Map Amendment application.
Flood Zones in Saint Louis County
Saint Louis County has several distinct flood-prone areas:
- Duluth urban area - Low-elevation neighborhoods near the St. Louis River and Lake Superior waterfront in Duluth carry FEMA flood zone designations. Several creeks flowing through the city also have mapped floodplains, particularly after the 2012 flood event that caused widespread damage.
- Saint Louis River - The Saint Louis River empties into western Lake Superior at Superior Bay. Properties along the lower river in Duluth and the neighboring city of Superior (Wisconsin) are frequently in FEMA-mapped flood zones.
- Lake shorelines - Hundreds of lakes in Saint Louis County have mapped ordinary high water levels and associated flood zones. Cabin properties on remote lakes may be in zones that were mapped during statewide FEMA initiatives.
- Iron Range drainage - Some areas around iron ore tailings ponds and reclaimed mining land have unusual flood risk profiles due to altered drainage patterns. A surveyor familiar with the Iron Range can assess specific properties.
The 2012 Duluth Flood and Elevation Certificates
The June 2012 flooding in Duluth caused $100 million in damage and prompted FEMA to update flood maps across parts of Saint Louis County. Properties in neighborhoods that were not previously mapped into flood zones found themselves in newly designated Special Flood Hazard Areas after the map revision. Elevation certificates became necessary for many Duluth homeowners who had never needed them before.
If your Duluth property is in an area affected by the 2012 map revisions, an elevation certificate documenting your actual floor elevation is the first step to challenging an incorrect flood zone designation or getting accurate insurance pricing.
Getting an Elevation Certificate in Saint Louis County
The certificate must be prepared by a licensed Professional Land Surveyor. The surveyor measures key elevations on the structure, references them to a local benchmark, and completes the FEMA-standard form. For remote lake properties, expect additional cost for travel and access.
Find licensed surveyors who prepare elevation certificates in our Saint Louis County directory.