A "Flood Elevation Certificate" is often required by lending institutions when financing a new or existing home, and by municipal authorities prior to issuing a building permit for new construction.

In the case of existing dwellings, the certificate, which must be completed by a Licensed Land Surveyor, indicates the relationship between the structure and any flood zones that may be shown on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Map of the community in which the dwelling is located. The information on the form is used by lenders and the insurance provider in determining if flood insurance is required, and if so, how the insurance rates will be set. For example, a home that is one foot below the flood elevation will have a lower insurance rate than one that is ten feet below the flood elevation. Other information besides elevation which the surveyor must furnish on the certificate include the type of building, ground elevations around the building, and elevations of any machinery or equipment serving the building. These factors are also used in determining the flood insurance rate.

Often when applying for a home loan, the purchaser is told by the lender that he or she is required to buy flood insurance. Because the cost of flood insurance can run into thousands of dollars per year, it is advisable under these circumstances to have a Licensed Land Surveyor perform a Flood Elevation Certificate Survey. Only a Licensed Land Surveyor is qualified to perform this work. Gay and Neel, Inc. maintains a set of all local Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps and is up-to-date on current "Flood Elevation Certificate" requirements.