Understanding the FEMA Elevation Certificate in Guadalupe County, TX
When you begin a construction or development project, you agree to take on a myriad of responsibilities and considerations. You have to worry about things such as securing permits, understanding zoning, hiring contractors, coordinating construction efforts, working with architects and finalizing plans, just to name a few.
One important aspect of development that you will have to consider is whether the property that you own is located in a floodway. If you want to begin a project on a piece of land located in a floodway, there are extra steps that you will have to take to ensure that you are working in accordance with local laws and regulations. In order to maintain compliance, you will need to take some extra steps to acquire an Elevation Certificate in Guadalupe County, TX from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
What is an Elevation Certificate?
When a developer or construction company wants to begin building in an area that is designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), an Elevation Certificate is necessary. This certificate is intended to display that a new building or development is sufficiently elevated. Once the certificate is obtained, it is filed with the community’s official records and permit files as proof that the project is compliant.
Communities have floodplain management ordinances that dictate how different projects should be handled in relation to floodplains. For example, you may be required to get a No-Rise Certificate to confirm that your proposed project does not increase flood heights. These ordinances can vary widely depending on the specific city you are located in, so it’s important that you become familiar with the regulations and rules that apply to your specific location in order to ensure that you are compliant.
Special Flood Hazard Areas
If you are unsure if the Elevation Certificate requirement applies to you, you should make sure that you establish which zoning laws apply to the property that you are preparing to develop. A Special Flood Hazard Area is defined as an area of land that will be submerged by floodwater in the event of a base-level flood. If your land is located in one of these SFHAs, you will be required to obtain an Elevation Certificate.
In addition, FEMA also requires the purchase of flood insurance for properties and land in SFHAs. You can find out more about getting an Elevation Certificate in Guadalupe County, TX by contacting FEMA directly or working with a company that specializes in land planning and consultation.
Getting an Elevation Certificate in Guadalupe County, TX
At Bettersworth & Associates, Inc., we recognize that understanding and complying with all of the regulations provided by FEMA can be a challenge, which is why we are happy to take on the work for our customers to provide comprehensive boundary and surveying services. Among our many services, we can provide you with site consultation and land planning that allows you to ensure that your development project remains compliant and that you are using your land as effectively as possible. Our exceptional services have given us a reputation for friendliness and professionalism with the customers we’ve worked with since our founding in 1953. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Categorised in: Elevation Certificate