Building Codes Save Fact Sheet

The FEMA Building Codes Save initiative is an engineering-based study focusing on the long-term savings resulting from the adoption and enforcement of hazard-resistant building codes in California and Florida over the past 20 years. The study highlights potential annual savings of $1 billion for both states combined. By analyzing buildings constructed in hazard-prone areas, the study demonstrates how adopting modern building codes, particularly the International Building Codes (IBC) 2000 and later editions, can lead to reduced damage from natural hazards such as flooding, hurricane winds, and earthquakes. The initiative emphasizes the importance of adopting I-Codes for hazard mitigation as a valuable return on investment.