Elevation Certificates

The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment or Revision (LOMA or LOMR-F).

Required to Property Rate Post-FIRM Buildings

The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), for many flood insurance Zones, including AE and A (with BFE). The Elevation Certificate is not required for pre-FIRM buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional post-FIRM flood insurance rules.

As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in Jefferson County, the NFIP requires the county to adopt a floodplain management regulations that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement is for Jefferson County to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved buildings and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for Jefferson County to comply with this requirement.

Jefferson County Planning and Zoning maintains copies of Elevation Certificates. Copies of Elevation Certificates can be found below or citizens may contact Planning and Zoning at 303-271-8700 with any questions regarding floodplains.

Urban Drainage & Flood Control District (UDFCD) Information

The UDFCD brochures contain information on 100-year floodplains in specific areas of Jefferson County. Their purpose is to inform citizens of this flood hazard, and to suggest mitigating actions.

For additional floodplain information or questions please contact Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division at 303-271-8700.