SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Communities participating in the NFIP are required to adopt a floodplain management ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum floodplain management standards of the NFIP. In accordance with FEMA's minimum floodplain management standards, communities must require that all new construction and substantial improvement of residential structures and non-residential structures have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to above the base flood elevation subject to 44 CFR 60.3(c)(2) and (3); unless, for residential structures, the community is granted an exception by FEMA for the allowance of basements under 44 CFR 60.6(b) or (c). New construction and substantial improvement of non-residential structures can also be floodproofed. This means that, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, they are designed such that below the base flood level the structure is watertight, with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy, per 44 CFR 60.3(c)(3)(ii).

Use of the Elevation Certificate and Floodproofing Certificate each serve as a method for a community to document building compliance with these requirements. FEMA also gives NFIP policyholders the option to submit an Elevation Certificate for the purpose of providing elevation information for use in premium rating in lieu of FEMA-sourced elevation information and for the purpose of demonstrating eligibility for the Machinery & Equipment premium discount.

This proposed information collection previously published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2026, at 91 FR 32408 with a 60-day public comment period and FEMA received five public comments. One was from Association of ( printed page 64161) State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), two from the City of Tucson, one from an insurance agent, and one from an anonymous commenter related to this information collection. Many ASFPM and City of Tucson comments suggested allowing extra space for comments; providing additional wording for clarification; industry standard wording; and adjusting electronic form capabilities to adjust for capacity and to use with other programs. The anonymous commenter was concerned about the use of waivers, and development in flood prone areas. The comment from the insurance agent was in reference to slab on grade construction on the Elevation Certificate (EC) form.

The purpose of this notice is to notify the public that FEMA will submit the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance.

Collection of Information

Title: Elevation Certificate/Floodproofing Certificate.

Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

OMB Number: 1660-0008.

FEMA Forms: FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-152 (formerly 086-0-33), Elevation Certificate; FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-153 (formerly 086-0-34), Floodproofing Certificate.

Abstract: The Elevation Certificate and Floodproofing Certificate are to determine a building's compliance with local floodplain management provisions and, in conjunction with the Flood Insurance Application, to document elevations in support of flood insurance premiums or discounts that align with the building's risk of damage from flooding. Respondents are primarily surveyors, architects, or engineers; individual property owners may opt to complete specified portions of the Elevation Certificate.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households, and Businesses or other For-Profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,517.

Estimated Number of Responses: 3,517.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,735.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost: $714,083.

Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs: $0.

Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs: $0.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government: $37,415.

Comments

Comments may be submitted as indicated in the ADDRESSES caption above. Comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

91 FR 64160