Elevation Certificates

An Elevation Certificate EC is a document prepared by a qualified engineer/surveyor which provides information on the elevation of a building relative to mean high tide, building type flood map location, and additional information used to determine the proper flood insurance premium rates for a property.  An Elevation Certificate EC measures the difference in elevation between your home and the base flood elevation of your area. 

To search for your property profile site-specific property’s BFE - Base Flood Elevation/FEMA Maps see your property profile on Highlands Borough NJ Flood Information. 

Video How to Use Highlands Floodplain platform

Type your address in the search box.  If you have Elevation Certificates ECs on file for your property, you can find in your property profile. 

Elevation Certificates enhance your options for Flood Insurance rates and bring Highlands Borough closer to Community Rating System CRS activity certification.  Highlands CRS activities contribute to lowering flood insurance rates for the entire community.   You will need to contact a locally licensed surveyor if we do not have one on file and you need a certificate prepared. 

The flood Elevation Certificate EC is an important tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  It is used to certify building elevations if the building is in a Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form to: 

• Determine the proper flood insurance premium rate for the building and support a request of a letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMA-F).

Highlands Borough does not prepare Elevation Certificates ECs.  Elevation Certificates ECs are prepared by local licensed surveyors and are stored in Forerunner online platform as a public and municipal tool for flood mitigation.  Your construction projects in Highlands Special Flood Hazard Area SFHA, improvements, demolitions, elevations, or substantial storm damage will all be maintained in one data platform starting 2024.   

Highlands Borough has invested in Forerunner Floodplain Platform which will facilitate Floodplain Compliance, Disaster Recovery, Resident Education, and creation of a data platform to measure, administer and report to FEMA, NFIP National Flood Insurance Program, CRS Community Rating System, and promote climate resilience.   Highlands Borough is working with Monmouth County Sheriff’s FEMA CRS.