Elevation Certificate

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A community's permit file must have an official record that shows new buildings and substantial improvements in all identified Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are properly elevated. This elevation information is needed to show compliance with the floodplain management ordinance.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Elevation Certificate (EC) (FEMAform 086-0-33) is an administrative tool of the NFIP which is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate.

See more info at FEMA  https://www.fema.gov/elevation-certificate

If your home or business is in a high-risk area, your insurance agent will likely need an Elevation Certificate (EC) to determine your flood insurance premium. 

If you are raising your home to be above flood level, then you will need an Elevation Certificate once it's complete to show compliance with code, as well as, save on your insurance.

While you may be hesitant to spend the money, you will save far more that you spend in the long run.  

If you are buying a home or refinancing a home in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), each mortgage company obtains a flood zone determination prior to the closing of a loan to determine if the property is located in a SFHA.

... The higher your lowest floor is above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), the lower the risk of flooding. Lower risk typically means lower flood insurance premiums.