Flood Elevation Certificates - Fort Worth, TX

Land Use and Zoning Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

In Fort Worth, Texas, property owners often need a flood elevation certificate to obtain or adjust flood insurance and to demonstrate compliance with local floodplain regulations. This guide explains who issues elevation certificates, when you need one, how to submit existing certificates to insurers and the city, and what departments enforce the rules in Fort Worth. Follow the steps and official links below to request, complete, or update an elevation certificate for insurance or permitting purposes.

City Development Services issues guidance on floodplain permitting and how elevation certificates relate to building permits. For details on local permitting processes see the Development Services page City of Fort Worth Development Services[1].

An elevation certificate prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer is usually required by insurers and for some permits.

What is a Flood Elevation Certificate

An elevation certificate documents the elevation of a building relative to the FEMA base flood elevation (BFE). The standard FEMA form is used by insurers and municipalities and must be completed or certified by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect where required by FEMA. Use the FEMA official form when providing documentation to insurers and the city FEMA Elevation Certificate (form)[2].

When You Need One

  • You are applying for or renewing flood insurance and the insurer requests elevation data.
  • You are applying for a building permit in a mapped floodplain and the permit application requires elevation documentation.
  • You need to show compliance with the local floodplain development standards for a change of occupancy or major renovation.
Keep the original signed elevation certificate; many insurers require the signed or stamped version.

How to Obtain an Elevation Certificate in Fort Worth

  1. Contact a licensed surveyor, civil engineer, or architect experienced with FEMA elevation certificates.
  2. Provide the professional with site plans, permit numbers if available, and any prior elevation data.
  3. Arrange payment and sign a scope-of-work; fees vary by provider.
  4. Receive the completed FEMA elevation certificate form signed or sealed by the licensed professional and keep copies for insurance and permitting.

Penalties & Enforcement

Fort Worth enforces floodplain development rules through its building and development departments and code compliance. Specific monetary penalties, civil enforcement remedies, or criminal sanctions for failure to provide required elevation documentation are established in the city code or related enforcement policies. Where a specific fine amount or schedule is not shown on the cited official pages, this guide notes that the amount is not specified on the cited page.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; see municipal code and enforcement pages for details.[3]
  • Escalation: the code allows progressive enforcement and corrective orders; specific first/repeat ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, required corrective work, denial of permits, and court actions may be used by the city.
  • Enforcer: Development Services and Code Compliance are the primary enforcers; contact information is in Resources below.
  • Appeals and review: permit decisions and enforcement orders typically have administrative appeal routes; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you receive a stop-work or compliance notice, act quickly to request review or to submit required elevation documentation.

Applications & Forms

The FEMA Elevation Certificate form is the standard document used for flood insurance and municipal review. For local permit submittal requirements, consult Fort Worth Development Services; specific local forms or fees for filing an elevation certificate are not published on the cited development page and are therefore not specified on the cited page.[1]

If a permit is open, submit the elevation certificate to the permit record so the city can update compliance files.

Action Steps

  • Hire a licensed surveyor or engineer to prepare the FEMA Elevation Certificate.
  • Submit the signed certificate to your insurer to obtain or adjust flood insurance rates.
  • If you have an open permit, upload or deliver the certificate to Fort Worth Development Services per permit instructions.
  • If you receive an enforcement notice, follow the appeal instructions on the notice and contact Code Compliance immediately.

FAQ

Who can prepare an elevation certificate?
A licensed surveyor, professional engineer, or architect authorized to certify elevations can prepare and sign the FEMA elevation certificate used for insurance and permitting.
How long does it take to get a certificate?
Timing depends on the professional’s schedule and site access; the city does not publish a standard processing time for externally prepared elevation certificates on the cited page.
Do I submit the certificate to the city or insurer?
Submit the certificate to your insurer for rate adjustments and provide a copy to Fort Worth Development Services if required by your permit or a city request.

How-To

  1. Contact several licensed surveyors or engineers and request a quote to prepare a FEMA Elevation Certificate.
  2. Select the professional, provide site access and any permit numbers, and authorize the work.
  3. Receive the completed, signed elevation certificate and keep certified copies for insurance and permitting.
  4. Submit the certificate to your insurer and to Fort Worth Development Services if required by a permit or enforcement notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the FEMA Elevation Certificate form signed by a licensed professional for insurance and permits.
  • Fort Worth enforces floodplain rules through Development Services and Code Compliance; specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited pages.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Worth Development Services
  2. [2] FEMA - Elevation Certificate (form)
  3. [3] Fort Worth Code of Ordinances (Municode)

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