January 22, 2020
Contact: Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division
Phone: 202-646-3444

Advisory

FEMA Seeks Comments on Draft Policy About Building Code and Floodplain Management Administration and Enforcement

The draft policy on Building Code and Floodplain Management Administration and Enforcement defines the framework and requirements for consistent and appropriate implementation of Section 1206 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act through the Public Assistance program. The intent of this policy is to provide communities with the resources needed to effectively administer and enforce state and locally adopted building codes and floodplain management ordinances for a period of no longer than 180 days after the date of the major disaster declaration.

• This policy applies to major disaster declarations for Public Assistance declared on or after August 1, 2017.
• For major disasters declared after August 1, 2017, and before the publication of this policy, eligible costs will be reimbursed under the provisions of this policy, provided the Applicant identifies and submits all supporting documentation within 90 days from the Recovery Scoping Meeting or 60 days from the date of publication, whichever is later.
• For major disasters declared on or after the publication date of the final policy, eligible costs will be reimbursed under the provisions of this policy.

To be eligible for the provisions of this policy, a community must be in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program and cannot be suspended or sanctioned at the time of the major disaster declaration. 

FEMA is releasing the current draft policy, for a 45-day public comment period. The draft policy and accompanying comments matrix is located on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/185634.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.

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