|
Because new buildings built in the floodplain are at risk of
flood damage, elevating them is one of the most important
requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
To ensure that a building is elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), the
Federal Code of Regulations requires that the lowest floor
of a new or substantially improved structure located within
a floodplain be surveyed and an elevation certificate be
obtained and kept by the local permit office.
Sutter County is required by FEMA to keep an official record
that shows how high new buildings and substantially improved
buildings were elevated. Having an elevation certificate for
a building also allows the owner to obtain a flood insurance
policy.
Since Sutter County is a participant in the Community Rating
System (CRS), all new and substantially improved structures
in Sutter County are required to use FEMA's Elevation
Certificate Form (FEMA Form 81-31). This form can be
downloaded in electronic format or hard copies can be ordered
from FEMA at the following website:
There is a software version of the FEMA Elevation Certificate. It
can be ordered at no charge by calling the CRS order number,
(317) 848-2898. If you use the software version, or keep elevation
records on a computer database, you also need to keep the original
signed "hard copy" of the surveyor's certification.
The County also keeps elevation certificates on file for many
structures in the floodplain. Contact Sutter County – Water
Resources at (530) 822-3299 for further information.
|
|