Elevation Certificates

For All New or Substantially Improved Structures in Unincorporated Story County

Story County requires elevation certificates (EC) for all new or substantially-improved structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), as described in the County's Floodplain Management Ordinance for properties located in unincorporated Story County.

When a property owner requests a permit for building a new structure, remodeling an existing structure, or rebuilding a damaged structure, Story County staff will review the information to determine if the property lies within the SFHA. If the property is within the SFHA, you will be given an elevation certificate and a check list identifying the steps required to submit the EC along with other applicable permitting requirements.

The check list identifies that an EC is necessary three times: at the time the application is submitted, when the foundation framing has been put in place, and at the time building is completed, but prior to occupancy.

Each EC submittal is reviewed and approved by the County Floodplain Manager who is a CFM. Preliminary permits cannot be issued until the EC is approved as being complete and correct. The EC is scanned and maintained digitally tied to the County's GIS, associated with the specific parcel for future reference.

Completed EC's are available for review and request for properties located in unincorporated Story County. Please contact the County Floodplain Manager with either the property's 911 address or the parcel identification number.

If an EC is submitted and is not complete or correct, the EC is sent back to the surveyor, engineer, or property owner and corrections are requested. The permitting processes cannot continue until the EC condition is met.