Appendix J › Introduction

Which mitigation measures does FEMA treat as cost-effective without a separate analysis?

FEMA term

Cost-effective PA hazard mitigation measures (100 percent rule)

Short answer

The measures listed in Appendix J are treated as cost-effective if they cost no more than 100 percent of the eligible repair cost, measured before insurance reductions. They still must meet the hazard mitigation rules in Chapter 8 and EHP requirements. If a code or standard already requires the measure, it is part of the repair and needs no cost-effectiveness review at all.

What FEMA requires

Measures in Appendix J are cost-effective if they do not exceed 100 percent of the eligible repair cost, before any insurance reductions.
They must meet all eligibility requirements in the Hazard Mitigation section of Chapter 8.
Where codes or standards require the measure, it is completed as part of the PA repair project with no additional cost-effectiveness evaluation. Resilience beyond the code requirement is PA mitigation.
All measures must comply with EHP laws, regulations and executive orders.

Documentation

The eligible repair cost (before insurance reductions), the mitigation measure’s cost, a description showing it matches a measure in Appendix J, and EHP compliance information.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Check codes and standards first. A measure the code requires is funded as part of the repair, which is simpler than treating it as mitigation; only resilience beyond what the code requires counts as 406 mitigation.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.