Elevation Certificates

If you have determined that your house lies in a flood zone, a Flood Elevation Certificate can then tell you how high your house was built in relation to that flood zone.

These certificates are required for all new construction and substantial improvements to a structure. An Elevation Certificate is an important document that every homeowner should have, and in case of a disaster, would demonstrate to County authorities that your house is at or above the required elevation.

If the certificate shows that your house is lower, then the so-called "50% rule" would apply to your house. This rule means that if your house is in a flood zone and is damaged and/or improved to an amount greater than 50% of its market value, it will have to be raised to meet the current elevation requirement.

Miami-Dade County has been collecting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Elevation Certificate  from home builders/developers since 1995 as a requirement of their building permit. Elevation certificates are also required for substantially damaged structures.

For more information, call 305-372-6466 during office hours.