You may need an Elevation Certificate if:

• You are constructing a new building in a Special Flood Hazard Area
• Your home is undergoing substantial improvement or has experienced substantial damage
• Your insurance provider requests one for flood insurance rating
• Your lender requires flood insurance for a mortgage
• You need accurate flood-risk information for planning or renovation
• You are seeking a LOMA or LOMR from FEMA

In many cases, providing an EC can reduce flood insurance premiums, especially if the structure is built above the required elevation.

Who Can Complete an Elevation Certificate?

Only the following professionals may legally prepare and certify ECs in Florida:

• Licensed Professional Surveyors and Mappers
• Professional Engineers authorized to perform surveying services

Residents should verify licensure and qualifications before hiring.

Certificates Maintained by the Village

Since May 2016, the Village of Estero Building Services Division has collected Elevation Certificates from:

• Builders, prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy
• Owners of substantially damaged or substantially improved structures

Copies of these certificates are maintained by the Building Services Division.

To request a hard copy of an Elevation Certificate on file, contact the Floodplain Coordinator at 239-221-5036, or visit the Village’s Elevation Certificate page.

If Your Structure Was Built Before May 2016

If your structure was constructed prior to May 9, 2016, the Village of Estero may not have an Elevation Certificate on file. These certificates were not collected by the Village before this date.

If the property has not been substantially improved or substantially damaged since construction, you may need to obtain elevation information through other sources. Your next steps may include:

• Contacting the Lee County Department of Community Development for assistance at 239-533-8585
• Requesting a copy of the certificate from a previous owner
• Checking with your lending institution, as many lenders require both a property survey and an Elevation Certificate
• Hiring a licensed surveyor to prepare a new Elevation Certificate if one cannot be located

A current Elevation Certificate can be helpful for flood insurance rating, verifying flood risk, or supporting FEMA map changes.

Using an Elevation Certificate for Flood Insurance

Flood insurance companies use ECs to evaluate:

• Elevation of the lowest floor compared to the BFE
• Whether the structure meets current elevation and flood vent requirements
• Foundation and enclosure types

Structures elevated above the BFE may qualify for lower premiums, while structures below the BFE may face higher insurance costs.

Statewide Submission Requirement

As of January 1, 2023, Florida Statute 472.0366 requires surveyors and mappers to submit a digital copy of every completed Elevation Certificate to the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

Homeowners may:

• Upload their own certificate to the FDEM system
• Search for previously submitted certificates statewide

This database provides easier access to accurate, up-to-date elevation information.