Elevation certificates are directly related to BFE and flood zones. They provide the necessary data to assess a property’s flood risk accurately, helping to determine if a building is above or below the BFE. The importance of elevation certificates for homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas cannot be overstated. 

Here are the key benefits:

• Lower Insurance Premiums: Accurate elevation data can lead to reduced flood insurance premiums. If you feel there has been a mistake or land has changed over time, you may want to request an amendment to an elevation listing of your property. Unless you already have an elevation cert that is less than five years old, you'll need a professional land surveyor to help with a portion of this process.
  
• Accurate Assessment of Flood Risk: Provides a clear understanding of a property's flood risk which is exactly why you want to ensure it's accuracy.
  
• Compliance with Local Regulations: Ensures properties meet local building codes and floodplain management regulations. Any city will have home owners in mind when they create these rules to not only make property owners aware of their risk but to make sure everyone is properly covered by insurance based on higher chances of water damage.
  
• Assistance in Buying or Selling Property: Helps buyers and sellers make informed decisions about flood risk by sharing the info that correlates to each property based on their elevation and the risk within that specific location.
  
• Essential for Building or Renovating: Necessary for planning and executing construction projects in flood-prone areas to ensure safety and compliance.
  

Having an elevation certificate is essential for protecting your property and making informed decisions about flood risk management. This is why we're ready to perform this service for you and talk you through what we discover as well as pointing out any changes that may have occurred over the years.

The Role of FEMA in Flood Management

FEMA’s flood maps are essential tools used by insurers and property owners. Insurers rely on these maps to assess flood risks and determine insurance premiums. Property owners use them to understand their flood zone designation and make informed decisions about flood protection measures and even if they do or don't want to live in an area where they deem the risk too high for their comfort.

The impact of FEMA’s flood maps is significant. Accurate flood maps lead to fair and precise insurance rates, reflecting the true flood risk of a property. They also influence property designations, affecting building regulations, development plans, and overall community preparedness for flood events.

Obtaining a LOMA can significantly affect a property’s flood zone designation. If a LOMA is approved, a property previously classified as high-risk may be reclassified to a lower-risk zone. This reclassification can lead to lower insurance premiums and fewer regulatory requirements.

The process of obtaining a LOMA requires submitting an application to FEMA, including an elevation certificate for your property. The elevation certificate provides the necessary elevation data to support the request. Property owners need to hire a licensed surveyor to conduct an elevation survey and complete the elevation certificate. Once the application and supporting documents are submitted, FEMA reviews the request and makes a determination.

We assist our clients through every step of obtaining this certificate. Our team of licensed surveyors conducts precise elevation surveys, ensuring all necessary data is collected. We then complete the elevation certificate accurately and promptly, making the process as smooth and efficient as possible for our clients.

Choosing First Survey Little Rock for your elevation certificate needs comes with several benefits:

• Expertise: Our experienced surveyors in Pulaski County ensure accurate and reliable results. We handle the entire process thoroughly and professionally, and are happy to assist you with additional needs along the way.
  
• Long Term Cost Savings: Accurate elevation certificates can lead to lower flood insurance premiums. If your address has been incorrectly classified in a riskier flood zone, it will be worth the effort to have this listing adjusted.
  
• Support: We provide guidance and support throughout the process, including assistance with LOMA applications and flood zone adjustments. We can review property lines for commercial and residential Central Arkansas lots while checking elevations or as part of separate projects.
  

By partnering with First Survey Little Rock, you can confidently navigate the complexities of flood risk management, knowing you have a trusted expert by your side.