Map Determinations / Elevation Certificates

The City provides Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) determinations to let you know if you are in a flood hazard area and if you are required to carry flood insurance. If you would like a determination, contact the Building Department at 305-895-9820. You can also refer to the flood zone map, to determine if your property lies in a flood hazard area.

Flood Elevation Certificates

If you have determined that your house lies in a flood zone, a Flood Elevation Certificate can then tell you how high your house was built in relation to that flood zone. These certificates are required for all new construction and substantial improvements to a structure. A Flood Elevation Certificate is an important document that every homeowner should have, and in case of a disaster. This certificate would demonstrate to authorities that your house is at or above the required elevation.

If the certificate shows that your house is lower, then the “50% rule” would apply to your house. What this rule simply means is, if your house is located in a flood zone and is damaged and/or improved to an amount greater than 50% of its market value, it will have to be raised to meet the current elevation requirement.

Requirements

The city of North Miami collects the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Elevation Certificate from home builders and developers as a requirement of their building permit.

Elevation certificates are also required for substantially damaged structures. 

To Obtain Your Flood Elevation Certificate

If your home was built after 1995, you may be able to find your elevation certificate by visiting the North Miami Building Department. If your home was built after 1995, and you are unable to access the information, we may have the information on file but have not scanned the Certificate as of yet. 

Elevation certificates starting from January 2017 are available online at Florida Division of Emergency Management SERT map website. In order to access the elevation certificate interactive map we recommend using Google chrome and doing the following steps:

  • Click the layer list and checking the year your elevation certificate was done.
  • Type in your address in the address locator on the top left corner of the screen to locate you property.

Elevation Certificate and Instructions

Review the 2019 edition of the FEMA Elevation Certificate and Instructions.

Contact

For more information, call the Building Department at 305-895-9820 Monday through Friday,7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.