Floodplain Property Check & Elevation Certificates

Property Information System

You can check to see if your property, or property you are considering purchasing, is located in the special flood hazard area by visiting our Property Information System or by contacting the Community Development Department. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), at a scale of 1”=1,000’, are also on file in the Community Development Department. These services are offered free of charge to the general public, real estate and insurance firms and lending agencies.

Additionally, you may view Elevation Certificates that are on file with James City County on our Property Information System. Elevation Certificates are specific to a property and will be located on the bottom of the “Summary” page if one is on file.  A complete listing of Elevation Certificates may be found under Additional Resources below.

Additional Resources

• Read our handout for more guidance on the Property Information System (PDF) software.
• Elevation Certificate Listing (PDF)
• The 2015 FIRMs can also be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Information Portal. This site also allows users to view the Base Flood Elevations as well as compare the 2007 and 2015 FIRMs.
• The 2015 FIRMs are available on The FEMA Map Service Center.

Resources for Preparing Elevation Certificates

• Geodetic Ground Control Network Map (PDF)
• Primary Service Area Geodetic Ground Control Network July 1990 Survey Mark Reference and Recovery Data (PDF)
• Mapping layers
• FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate & Instructions