Hurricane Ike Recovery

Elevation Certificates

October 3, 2008 12:00

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE

Houses that have suffered "Substantial Damage" as a result of Hurricane Ike will be required to have the lowest floor elevated to or above the minimum base flood elevation (MBFE) which is FEMA base flood elevation plus one foot free-board.

Houses that have not suffered "Substantial Damage" as a result of Hurricane Ike may be repaired without being required to have the lowest floor elevated to or above the MBFE.

Substantial Damage is defined as damage to the structure to the extent that the cost of restoring that structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value before the damage occurred.

The City, in cooperation with other state and local agencies, will conduct damage assessments on all residential structures damaged by Hurricane Ike as quickly as possible. This assessment is required before permits can be issued for repairs.

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE

To determine whether or not the lowest floor of a house is at, above, or below the MBFE will require an Elevation Certificate.

An Elevation Certificate is a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program document prepared and sealed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect authorized by law to certify elevation information (FEMA Form 81-31).

The Elevation Certificate together with the MBFE and determination of Substantial Damage will establish one of the following:

• House at or above MBFE ─ Can be repaired without elevating.

• House below MBFE without Substantial Damage ─ Can be repaired without elevating.

• House below MBFE with Substantial Damage ─ Must be elevated to repair or reconstruct.

An Elevation Certificate will be required prior to repairs or the issuance of building permits for any home determined to have Substantial Damage or Substantial Improvement.

Some homeowners have an Elevation Certificate obtained during the construction of or purchase of their home or flood insurance. In those cases a new Elevation Certificate will not be required if the original is presented to the City's Building Department.

All recent and most older Elevation Certificates on file with the City of Shoreacres are available online click here.

Homeowners that do not have an Elevation Certificate can obtain one from the City Engineer or any other land surveyor, engineer, or architect authorized by law to certify elevation information.

Sample Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 81-31, March 2009)
Elevation Certificate Instructions
Elevation Certificate Building Diagrams

Note to Surveyors: The City of Shoreacres requires elevation information
(C2e) for all machinery or equipment servicing the building.

APPLICATION FOR ELEVATION CERTIFICATE - TEMPORARY CITY PROGRAM

To assist in our recovery from Hurricane Ike the City Engineer will prepare an Elevation Certificate that can be used to determine if your house is at, above or below the MBFE for a fee of $150. If the house elevation is raised to or above the MBFE the Elevation Only Elevation Certificate can be reissued as a Final Elevation Certificate for an additional $250. The Final Elevation Certificate can be used to obtain flood insurance.

The City Engineer can also prepare a Complete Elevation Certificate for houses that are presently at or above the MBFE for a fee of $400. The Complete Elevation Certificate can be used to obtain flood insurance.

Application for Elevation Certificate

Fees must be paid in advance at the time of application. Applications are accepted at City Hall during normal business hours. Fees may be paid by cash, check or major credit card. The homeowner will be provided the original Elevation Certificate and the City will retain a copy. Allow 7 to 14 days for the completion of the survey and Elevation Certificate.

This is a temporary program and may be withdrawn at anytime without notice.

BUILDING PERMITS

A damage assessment will be required prior to the issuance of building permits for the repair of any residential structure damaged by Hurricane Ike (flooding, storm surge, wind, or falling tree).

Building permits will not be issued for the repair of buildings that have been determined to have Substantial Damage (as defined by Shoreacres City Code, Chapter 30) unless the lowest floor is, or will be, elevated to or above the Minimum Base Flood Elevation (MBFE). The Minimum Base Flood Elevation (MBFE) in Shoreacres is 12 to 18 feet depending on location as indicated on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as revised June 18, 2007.