TL;DR: State, local, tribal and territorial governments need a FEMA-approved and adopted hazard mitigation plan, updated every five years, to stay eligible for specified non-emergency disaster assistance.

Why a Plan Determines Funding Eligibility

FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to have approved and adopted hazard mitigation plans to be eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects, according to Create a Hazard Mitigation Plan | FEMA.gov.

Jurisdictions must update their hazard mitigation plans and resubmit them for FEMA approval every five years to remain eligible, according to the same FEMA creation page.

When applying for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, FEMA requires a hazard mitigation plan under laws, regulations and policy described on the Mitigation Planning and Grants | FEMA.gov page.

Developing hazard mitigation plans helps state, tribal and local governments increase education and awareness on natural hazards and community vulnerabilities, according to that grants page.

The same page states that plan development helps build partnerships with government, organizations, businesses and the public to reduce risk.

It also states that development helps identify long-term strategies for risk reduction with input from stakeholders and the public.

It further states that development helps identify cost-effective mitigation actions that focus resources on the greatest risks areas.

Integration of planning efforts and risk reduction with other community planning efforts is another listed purpose, along with aligning risk reduction with other state, tribal or community objectives and communicating priorities to potential funders.

Which Laws and Policies Control Plan Approval

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, creating the framework for state, local, tribal and territorial governments to engage in hazard mitigation planning to receive certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, according to Regulations and Guidance | FEMA.gov.

Requirements and procedures to implement hazard mitigation planning provisions may be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Stafford Act Title 44, Chapter 1, Part 201, also cited as 44 CFR Part 201, according to the same guidance page.

Since the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 amended the Stafford Act, additional laws have been passed that help to shape hazard mitigation policy, according to the same page.

Those revisions are included in the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, according to the same page.

FEMA identifies the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide as FP 302-094-2, effective May 19, 2025 for all plan approvals, according to the creation page.

FEMA identifies the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide as FP-206-21-0002, effective April 11, 2025 for all plan approvals, according to the same creation page.

FEMA identifies the Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide as dated December 2017, according to the regulations page.

The same regulations page identifies Restrictions on Grant Obligations to State, Tribal and Local Governments without a FEMA-Approved Mitigation Plan as FP 306-112-1, dated August 18, 2013.

The State and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guides and the Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide detail the process to complete an approved mitigation plan under applicable laws and regulations, according to the creation page.

Which Grant Programs Require an Approved Plan

The regulations page lists the following grant programs as having an approved and adopted hazard mitigation plan eligibility requirement: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Public Assistance Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, Fire Management Assistance Grant Program, and Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam Grant Program.

For Individual Assistance, the grants table shows no plan is required for a state or tribal applicant and no plan is required for a tribal or local sub-applicant.

For Public Assistance Categories A and B, described as debris removal and emergency protective measures, the table shows no plan is required for either applicants or sub-applicants.

For Public Assistance Categories C through G, described as repairs to damaged infrastructure and publicly owned buildings, the table shows yes for a state or tribal applicant and no for a tribal or local sub-applicant.

For Fire Mitigation Assistance Grants, the table shows yes for a state or tribal applicant and no for a tribal or local sub-applicant.

For Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire, the table shows yes for both applicant and sub-applicant categories.

For a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program planning grant, the table shows Yes+ for a state or tribal applicant and no for a sub-applicant, with the plus note meaning at the time of the Presidential major disaster declaration and at the time of obligation of grant funds.

For a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program project grant, the table shows Yes+ for an applicant and Yes++ for a sub-applicant, with the double-plus note meaning at the time of obligation of grant funds for mitigation projects.

For a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities planning grant, the table shows Yes* for an applicant and no for a sub-applicant, with the star note meaning by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of the award.

For a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities project grant, the table shows Yes* for an applicant and Yes** for a sub-applicant, with the double-star note meaning by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of grant funds for mitigation projects.

For the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, the table shows yes for both applicants and sub-applicants.

For a Flood Mitigation Assistance planning grant, the table under the National Flood Insurance Act shows Yes* for an applicant and no for a sub-applicant.

For a Flood Mitigation Assistance project grant, the table shows Yes* for an applicant and Yes** for a sub-applicant, using the same application-deadline and obligation timing definitions.

For the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam Grant Program, the table shows Yes# for both applicants and sub-applicants, with the hash note stating that mitigation plans must include all dam risk in accordance with requirements in program guidance and that dams owned by nonprofit organizations must be located in a jurisdiction with a FEMA-approved local or tribal mitigation plan that includes all dam risks in order to receive funds.

Four Core Steps to Create or Update a Plan

The mitigation planning process is slightly different for each state, local, tribal, and territorial government, but there are four core steps in completing a hazard mitigation plan or plan update, according to Hazard Mitigation Planning Process | FEMA.gov.

FEMA describes Step 1 as Organize the Planning Process and Resources.

At the start, a state, local, tribe, or territory government should focus on assembling the resources needed for a successful mitigation planning process, according to the process page.

That work includes securing technical expertise, defining the planning area, and identifying key individuals, agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, businesses, and other stakeholders to participate in the process, according to the same page.

The planning process for local and tribal governments must include opportunities for the public to comment on the plan, according to the same page.

FEMA describes Step 2 as Assess Risks.

In that step, the government needs to identify the characteristics and potential consequences of hazards, according to the process page.

It states that it is important to understand what geographic areas each hazard might impact and what people, property, or other assets might be vulnerable.

The four basic components of a risk assessment are hazard identification, profiling of hazard events, inventory of assets, and estimation of potential human and economic losses based on the exposure and vulnerability of people, buildings, and infrastructure, according to the same page.

FEMA describes Step 3 as Develop a Mitigation Strategy.

The government then sets priorities and develops long-term strategies for avoiding or minimizing the undesired effects of disasters, according to the process page.

The strategy is based on an assessment of the unique set of regulatory, administrative, and financial capabilities to undertake mitigation, according to the same page.

The mitigation strategy also includes a description of how the mitigation actions will be implemented and administered, according to the same page.

FEMA describes Step 4 as Adopt and Implement the Plan.

Once FEMA has received the adoption from the governing body and approved the plan, the government can bring the mitigation plan to life in ways ranging from implementing specific mitigation actions to changing aspects of day-to-day organizational operations, according to the process page.

To ensure success, the plan must remain a relevant, living document through routine maintenance, according to the same page.

The state, tribe, or local government needs to conduct periodic evaluations to assess changing risks and priorities and make revisions as needed, according to the same page.

Handbooks and Support for Each Government Type

For state governments, FEMA points to the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and additional resources including State Mitigation Planning Key Topics Bulletins for Risk Assessment, Mitigation Strategy, Mitigation Capabilities, and Planning Process, all dated 2025, according to the creation page.

Other state resources listed are the Hazard Mitigation Planning for States Fact Sheet dated 2025, the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Mitigation Plan Requirement Fact Sheet dated 2025, and Enhanced State Mitigation Planning: Basics for New Enhanced States dated 2022, according to the same page.

For tribal governments, FEMA points to the Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook dated 2025, which aligns with policy requirements and guides tribal planning teams through the planning process, according to the same page.

Other tribal resources listed are the Hazard Mitigation Planning for Tribal Governments Fact Sheet dated 2025, Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook Worksheets dated 2025, and Tribal Mitigation Planning and HMA Grant Application Development dated 2021, according to the same page.

For local governments, FEMA points to the Local Mitigation Planning Handbook dated 2025, which aligns with the most recent local policy requirements and guides local planning teams through the planning process, according to the same page.

Other local resources listed are the Adopting Your Local Mitigation Plan Fact Sheet dated 2024, Special Districts Participating in Mitigation Planning Fact Sheet dated 2024, Considerations for Local Mitigation Planning Grant Subapplication, and Local Mitigation Planning Fact Sheet dated 2025, according to the same page.

The National Hazard Mitigation Planning Program, in partnership with the Emergency Management Institute, offers trainings designed to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments create effective hazard mitigation plans that meet FEMA requirements and reduce risk, according to the same page.

Planners should contact the FEMA mitigation planner in their Region for assistance but may also contact State Hazard Mitigation Officers and the FEMA Regional Tribal Liaison, according to the agency's Hazard Mitigation Planning page.

For resources and information on how to integrate individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into hazard mitigation planning, the same page directs users to contact FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination.