Floodproof vs. Floodplain

Floodplain inspections are required to be conducted by City staff rather than private providers. 

Floodplain vs. Floodproofing: Homes, garages, sheds, accessory structures, and elevated commercial buildings where flood waters are designed to pass under or through them usually require floodplain inspections. 

Some commercial buildings constructed below the flood level will have "extensive" floodproofing systems to prevent interior flooding. 

Typical floodplain inspections usually proceed with submitting an Elevation Certificate (EC).  FEMA requires the City to review only the original document certificates, which will be returned after being scanned.  The City may accept digital ECs when sent to the City directly from the Surveyor's e-mail address of record and embossed seals are visible. 

Elevation Certificates are issued in three phases: "Construction Drawings," "Under Construction" & "Finished Construction."  The three look very similar, but submitting the correct phased EC related to the construction progress is important. Line C! of the certificate should indicate which phase EC that document represents.

Example of how line "C1" on a FEMA Elevation Certificate may appear

Dry-floodproofing inspections are more involved and require extensive documentation. It's best to speak with the City's Floodplain Administrator before scheduling such inspections.