You can now download, save, print, etc. your elevation certificate from your computer for the City of Sarasota at:

Elevation Certificate Availability Map (arcgis.com)

If the elevation certificate is not attached to the map, please search for it here:

Click here to search for an Elevation Certificate in the City of Sarasota

If the elevation certificate is on the list or you need an ADA accessible elevation certificate, please email the City at floodinfo@sarasotaFL.gov or call 941-263-6491

If your property is in a different jurisdiction, please contact that jurisdiction for your elevation certificate.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Elevation Certificate (EC) is an administrative tool used by the NFIP.  It is used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances; to determine the proper insurance premium rate; and or support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to remove a building from the Special Flood Hazard Area. 

Elevation Certificates provide information necessary to:

Ensure compliance with floodplain management ordinances.

Request a map amendment or revision.

The City of Sarasota does not prepare elevation certificates. Elevation Certificates are prepared by licensed surveyors and submitted to the City as a requirement of the building permit process. The City of Sarasota only has Elevation Certificates that were completed for building compliance since the late 1970's. The City does not have Elevation Certificates for buildings constructed prior to that or those completed solely for flood insurance purposes on file.

Where to Get an Elevation Certificate:

Contact the City of Sarasota or your municipality to see if they have an elevation certificate for your structure on file. Additionally, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) provides Elevation Certificates submitted by surveyors since 2017.

Effective January 1, 2017, a copy of each elevation certificate prepared by a surveyor and mapper will be submitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) as required by Florida Statute 472.0366.

You can easily upload a copy of your certificates   and view previously submitted certificates  .

Ask the sellers. When buying a property, ask the sellers to give you their elevation certificate.

Ask the developer or builder. In a high-risk area, the developer or builder might have been required to get an elevation certificate at the time of construction. You can also request one as part of the survey that is done when you build or purchase a house.

Hire a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or certified architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. For a fee, these professionals can complete an elevation certificate for you. Check the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website   to find surveyors with active licenses and view any complaints that have been filed against them (search for Sarasota County and LS-Surveyor and mapper).

Resources: 

• Fillable Elevation Certificate

   

• MT-2 Application Forms and Instructions for Conditional Letters of Map Revision and Letters of Map Revision

   

• The Standard FEMA Flood Hazard Determination Form

Effective Jan 1, 2020

All elevation certificates received by the City of Sarasota need to be in NAVD 88 datum from a published NGS benchmark or the CORS system and comply with the elevation certificate instructions.

Per Item C2 of the elevation certificate instructions:

“For the bench mark utilized, provide the PID or other unique identifier assigned by the maintainer of the benchmark. For GPS survey, indicate the benchmark used for the base station, the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) sites used for an On-line Positioning User Service (OPUS) solution (also attach the OPUS report), or the name of the Real Time Network used.”

If you have any questions please contact Cyndi Cahill, CFM, Floodplain Manager at Cynthia.Cahill@sarasotaFL.gov or 941-263-6491.

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