Elevation Certificates in Waukesha County
An elevation certificate documents your building's elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Lenders require them for federally backed mortgages on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Waukesha County has multiple waterways and glacial lakes that create flood zone designations for adjacent properties.
Waukesha County Flood Risk Areas
The Fox River flows through the city of Waukesha before continuing northeast through the county. Low-lying properties adjacent to the Fox River in the Waukesha area have FEMA SFHA designations in certain sections, particularly in areas where the river's floodplain is broad. The Bark River in the county's western portion and the Menomonee River headwaters near Menomonee Falls contribute additional flood zone areas.
Waukesha County's lake district presents a different type of flood risk. Properties with low-lying lakeshore frontage on Pewaukee Lake, Okauchee Lake, Lac La Belle, and other glacial lakes can carry SFHA designations based on lake overflow potential or high water level scenarios. If your lakeshore property is flagged for flood insurance by a lender, an elevation certificate is the tool to confirm your building's actual elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation.
What the Certificate Documents
A licensed surveyor visits your property and measures the elevation of the lowest floor, lowest adjacent grade, and other required reference points. They complete the official FEMA elevation certificate form and certify the measurements. The certificate shows whether your building is above or below the Base Flood Elevation, which directly determines how your flood insurance premium is calculated.
Premium Savings With an Elevation Certificate
Properties in Waukesha County that are elevated above the Base Flood Elevation can qualify for significantly lower National Flood Insurance Program premiums once an elevation certificate documents that elevation. In many cases, the $300 to $650 certificate cost is recovered within one to two years of insurance savings.
Find licensed surveyors who handle elevation certificates in Waukesha, Brookfield, Oconomowoc, and throughout Waukesha County through our Waukesha County land surveyor directory.