FEMA Now Requires States, Cities Adopt New Building Codes for Disaster Assistance

On September 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released an update to Recovery Policy FP-104-009-4 that states, "As a condition of assistance, buildings eligible for repair, replacement, or construction located in hazard prone areas will use, at a minimum, the hazard resistant standards referenced in the most recent edition of the model building code (International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, and International Residential Code) as of the disaster declaration date."

 

There can be no doubt of the important role codes play in better protecting our building stock and recovery after a disaster. By ensuring people build responsibly, efficiently and safely before a disaster, this new guidance will protect not only the well-being of our citizens, but also the wallet of the taxpayer. According to the National Institute of Building Science’s Multihazard Mitigation Council, for every $1 spent on disaster mitigation, society saves $4. NRMCA believes that resilience starts with the International Building Codes. To that end, our Build with Strength program is wholly committed to increasing this nation's resilience, not only through a strong foundation in the newest versions of building codes, but also through advocacy and education offerings.