Flood Zone & Elevation Certificate
FEMA flood-zone classification determines whether a property requires elevation certification before construction.
What flood zone & elevation certificate actually means.
Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A, AE, VE, etc.) require an elevation certificate documenting the existing floor elevation relative to the base flood elevation. Additions, substantial improvements, and new construction in flood zones must meet specific elevation requirements — typically the new floor must be at or above base flood elevation. Most coastal NE Florida (east of US-1 in St. Augustine, east of A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach, coastal Jacksonville) sits in mapped flood zones.
- FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations
- Florida Building Code Section 1612 — flood-resistant construction
Adjacent definitions.
- Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL)
Florida DEP-administered line east of which construction requires additional permitting and engineering for coastal storm exposure.
See the definition - Florida Building Code (FBC)
The unified set of building, residential, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and energy codes governing all construction in Florida.
See the definition