Elevation Certificates in Will County, IL
Will County has significant flood risk along two major river corridors: the Des Plaines River on the north and the Kankakee River on the south. Communities like Joliet, Romeoville, and Lockport sit near these waterways, and properties in these areas often require elevation certificates for mortgage lending, flood insurance, or permit applications.
What Is an Elevation Certificate?
An elevation certificate (EC) is an official document that records the elevation of a building's lowest floor relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) established by FEMA. The BFE is the elevation that floodwaters are expected to reach during a 1-percent annual chance flood event, commonly called a 100-year flood.
The certificate is prepared using FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-152 and must be signed and sealed by a licensed Illinois PLS or engineer.
When You Need an Elevation Certificate in Will County
- Purchasing flood insurance: Properties in FEMA Zone AE, AO, AH, or other Special Flood Hazard Areas typically require an EC for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Mortgage closing: Lenders require flood insurance for properties in SFHAs, and the insurance carrier needs the EC to rate the policy.
- Building permits: Municipalities along the Des Plaines and Kankakee corridors may require an EC before issuing permits for new construction or substantial improvements.
- Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA): If you believe your property was incorrectly mapped into a flood zone, an elevation certificate is part of the LOMA application to FEMA.
Flood Risk in Will County
Des Plaines River Corridor
The Des Plaines River enters Will County from Cook County and flows through Romeoville and Joliet. FEMA Zone AE areas line much of this corridor. Properties in Romeoville and northwest Joliet are among the most commonly affected.
Kankakee River Corridor
The Kankakee River forms part of Will County's southern boundary. Properties near Wilmington and the river's floodplain in southern Will County face substantial flood risk. Elevation certificates are routinely required here for insurance and lending.
Interior Drainage and Tributaries
Hickory Creek, Spring Creek, and other tributaries feed into the major rivers and have their own FEMA-mapped floodplains. Even properties that appear to be well inland from the main rivers can fall within a mapped flood zone.
Cost of an Elevation Certificate in Will County
Elevation certificates in Will County typically cost $400 to $700 for standard residential properties. Factors that increase cost include:
- Properties with multiple structures or unusually complex lot grading
- Sites requiring GPS-referenced benchmarks in areas without nearby established control points
- Rush requests with tight closing deadlines
Some surveyors bundle the elevation certificate with a boundary survey at a discounted combined rate. Ask when getting quotes.
How to Check Your Flood Zone Status
Before hiring a surveyor, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov to look up your property's current flood zone designation. This tells you whether you are in a high-risk zone (Zone AE, AO, or AH), a moderate-risk zone (Zone X shaded), or a minimal-risk zone (Zone X unshaded).
NFIP resources at floodsmart.gov explain the different flood zones and how elevation affects insurance rates.
Find a Surveyor for Your Elevation Certificate
Only a licensed Illinois PLS can prepare an elevation certificate in Will County. Verify any surveyor's active license at idfpr.illinois.gov before hiring.
Our directory lists licensed surveyors serving Joliet, Plainfield, Romeoville, Lockport, New Lenox, Mokena, and the rest of Will County. Find an elevation certificate surveyor in Will County here.