The Playbook for the Effective Administration and Enforcement of Building Codes
FEMA released a guide to help code enforcement officers with their day-to-day tasks.
Effective administration and enforcement of modern building codes are essential to strengthening a community’s resilience. They also empower state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments—as well as federal governments—by enhancing their ability to withstand and recover from disasters.
To help code enforcement professionals with everyday responsibilities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the Building Codes Enforcement Playbook. Released in June 2025, the Playbook serves to improve both building administration and code enforcement within jurisdictions to ensure compliance with modern codes, accelerate recovery and support long-term mitigation goals.
Code Enforcement Best Practices
This Playbook offers practical guidance for handling challenges, setting up effective processes and building strong partnerships with governments, stakeholders and the public. These tools and strategies for Authorities Having Jurisdictions (AHJs) include:
- Legal framework for code enforcement
- How to promote collaboration among various stakeholders
- Best practices related to plan review, permitting and inspection
- How innovative tools, such as online permitting systems and AI, enhance operational efficiency
- How to measure the effectiveness of code administration and enforcement
- And more.
View FEMA’s Building Codes Enforcement Playbook, here.
Catch up on the Code Council’s three-part series exploring the roles of code enforcement officers, here.
About the Author
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
