Flood zones and elevation certificates0 answersAI answer
My surveyor said I might qualify for a LOMA. What is the process?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is FEMA's official statement that a specific property or building is not in the high-risk flood area, usually because it sits naturally above the base flood elevation [1].
General steps:
- Get elevation data. A licensed surveyor measures the lowest adjacent grade next to the building, or the lot elevation, tied to the correct datum. Often this is on an elevation certificate.
- Gather documents: a copy of the recorded deed or plat, the property's location on the flood map, and FEMA's request forms. FEMA also accepts requests online.
- Submit to FEMA. There's generally no FEMA fee for a standard LOMA request.
- Wait for the determination, which can take a few weeks or longer.
If approved, give the letter to your lender and insurance agent. Your lender can still require coverage.
General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.