What Is an Elevation Certificate?
An elevation certificate is a standardized FEMA document that records the elevation of your building relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in your area. The BFE is the elevation that floodwaters are expected to reach during a 100-year flood event, as shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) uses elevation certificates to determine flood insurance premiums for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
In Wisconsin, elevation certificates are prepared by licensed Professional Land Surveyors. The surveyor measures the elevation of your building's lowest floor, lowest adjacent grade, and other relevant features, then completes the official FEMA form and certifies the results.
Elevation Certificate Costs in Wisconsin
Licensed surveyors in Wisconsin typically charge $300 to $700 for an elevation certificate on a residential property. The cost depends on the property location, site accessibility, and how much survey work is needed to tie the building elevation to a benchmark. Urban properties near established survey benchmarks usually cost less. Rural properties or those requiring the surveyor to travel long distances may cost toward the higher end of the range.
Some property owners find elevation certificates already on file at their local municipality or county floodplain administrator. It is worth calling the county zoning or planning office before hiring a surveyor, as a prior certificate may be usable if the building has not been substantially modified.
Wisconsin Flood Risk Areas
Wisconsin has significant flooding exposure, particularly along major river corridors. The Mississippi River floodplain runs the length of the state's western border, affecting communities in La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, Grant, and other counties. The Wisconsin River runs through the center of the state, with flood-prone reaches near Portage, Wisconsin Dells, and Wausau. The Rock River system affects Dane, Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth counties. Lake Winnebago and its outlet, the lower Fox River, create flood exposure in Winnebago, Calumet, and Brown counties.
In southeastern Wisconsin, properties near the Root River, Kinnickinnic River, and Menomonee River in the Milwaukee metro area also face SFHA designations. If your property sits near any of these waterways, check FEMA's flood map to confirm your zone designation before assuming you are clear of flood requirements.
When You Need an Elevation Certificate
- Your lender requires one because the property is in a FEMA flood zone
- You are applying for or renewing a flood insurance policy through the NFIP
- You want to challenge your flood zone designation (Letter of Map Amendment or LOMA)
- You are building or making substantial improvements to a structure in a floodplain
- You want to document your actual elevation to potentially lower your insurance premium
The LOMA Process: Removing the Flood Zone Designation
If your property is shown in a flood zone on the FEMA map but sits above the Base Flood Elevation, you may be able to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) from FEMA to remove it. A LOMA requires an elevation certificate showing that the lowest adjacent grade is above the BFE. If approved, your lender's flood insurance requirement may be dropped, saving you hundreds of dollars per year.
This process works for natural ground, not fill. If the property was elevated using fill material, a different process called a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F) applies. In both cases, a licensed surveyor handles the elevation documentation.
How to Find an Elevation Certificate Surveyor in Wisconsin
Not all surveyors do elevation certificates regularly. When contacting surveyors, ask specifically whether they handle elevation certificates and how long the turnaround typically takes. In busy seasons (spring and summer), some firms are booked several weeks out.
Find licensed surveyors who handle elevation certificates through our Wisconsin land surveyor directory.