Request and obtain results of geo-technical study
Agency: Private engineering firm
According to Article 26 of the Antigua and Barbuda Development Land development CAP 235, a soil test should be conducted for the strength of the building. The foundation must be designed in such a way as to sustain and transmit to the ground the combined dead load of the building. The proper depth should be reach to prevent the building from sinking.
Time and cost: 25 days, XCD 8,000
Obtain location plan
Agency: Survey Department
The location plan is generally obtained from cadastral sheets or DOS maps.This helps indicating the location of the warehouse to be built.
Time and cost: 2 days, XCD 38
Obtain “approval in principle”
Agency: Development Control Authority
The approval in principle is the verification that the project is in compliance with the urban regulations and that it can be done on that specific plot of land. The location plan is needed for initiate this procedure.
Time and cost: 21 days, XCD 30
Obtain project clearance from Fire Department
Agency: Fire Department
To obtain the project clearance from the Fire department, the approval in principle as well as the location plan are required.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Receive notification of fee charge and pay appropriate fees to the Treasury
Agency: Treasury
The applicant submits all the relevant documents, including the project clearance from the Fire department to the Development Control Authority. The applicant will be informed of the fees to be paid at the treasury. The proof of payment must be submitted to the Development Control Authority for inspection purposes.
The fee schedule for the Development Control Authority is as follows:
- 0 -500 sq. ft. (gross floor area): XCD 50
- 500 – 1,000 sq. ft. (gross floor area): XCD 200
- Over 1,000 sq. ft. (gross floor area): XCD 0.50 (per sq. ft.)
Time and cost: 2 days, XCD 7,035
Obtain planning permission from Development Control Authority
Agency: Development Control Authority
To obtain planning permission, the architect must submit to the Development Control Authority a three-page application (with three copies) that includes building designs, a location plan, a site plan, clearance from the fire department, a proof of ownership and the receipt of payment to the Treasury department. This procedure also includes approval of sewage services (Septic Tank). There is no sewage system therefore a septic tank is used which is installed by the builder.
Time and cost: 35 days, no charge
Notify the Development Control Authority of commencement of work
Agency: Development Control Authority
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive a set-out inspection
Agency: Development Control Authority
When the Department Control Authority issues the building permit it also gives a commencement certificate, which specifies the number of inspections to be carried out. The building company has to notify the Development Control Authority 48 hours before the start of each phase, so that the DCA can come and inspect the construction. However, in practice, this happens rarely, most construction companies do not notify about the commencement of each phase as there is no legal repercussions for not complying with the regulation. There is no fine for not notifying the DCA.
The inspection process is regulated by the Land Development and Control Regulations of 1996.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection after completion of foundation works before concrete filling
Agency: Development Control Authority (DCA)
When the Department Control Authority issues the building permit it also gives a commencement certificate, which specifies the number of inspections to be carried out. The building company has to notify the Development Control Authority 48 hours before the start of each phase so that the DCA can come and inspect the construction. However, in practice, this happens rarely, most construction companies do not notify about the commencement of each phase as there is no legal repercussions for not complying with the regulation. There is no fine for not notifying the DCA.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection after completion of floor slab
Agency: Development Control Authority
When the Department Control Authority issues the building permit it also gives a commencement certificate, which specifies the number of inspections to be carried out. The building company has to notify the Development Control Authority 48 hours before the start of each phase, so that the DCA can come and inspect the construction. However, in practice, this happens rarely, most construction companies do not notify about the commencement of each phase as there is no legal repercussions for not complying with the regulation. There is no fine for not notifying the DCA.
The inspection process is regulated by the Land Development and Control Regulations of 1996.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection after completion of structural frame and roof
Agency: Development Control Authority
When the Department Control Authority issues the building permit it also gives a commencement certificate, which specifies the number of inspections to be carried out. The building company has to notify the Development Control Authority 48 hours before the start of each phase, so that the DCA can come and inspect the construction. However, in practice, this happens rarely, most construction companies do not notify about the commencement of each phase as there is no legal repercussions for not complying with the regulation. There is no fine for not notifying the DCA.
The inspection process is regulated by the Land Development and Control Regulations of 1996.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection after completion of plumbing and drain works
Agency: Development Control Authority
When the Department Control Authority issues the building permit it also gives a commencement certificate, which specifies the number of inspections to be carried out. The building company has to notify the Development Control Authority 48 hours before the start of each phase, so that the DCA can come and inspect the construction. However, in practice, this happens rarely, most construction companies do not notify about the commencement of each phase as there is no legal repercussions for not complying with the regulation. There is no fine for not notifying the DCA.
The inspection process is regulated by the Land Development and Control Regulations of 1996.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify the Development Control Authority of completion of work
Agency: Development Control Authority
According to Article 63 of The Physical Planning Act, 2003. No. 6 of 2003, upon completion of the work, the contractor must also notify the Town and Country Planner, in writing that construction works are now completed. This will trigger a final inspection to certify that theworks have been constructed in accordance with the development permit and building regulations.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection
Agency: Development Control Authority
The Development Control Authority checks that the building is in conformity with the issued development permit.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive stamp by the Development Control Authority on the water application
Agency: Development Control Authority
Three application forms for water connection must be stamped by the Development Control Authority stamp before the owner can actually apply for it.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Apply for water connection
Agency: Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA)
Three application forms for water must be stamped by Development Control Authority stamp before the owner can apply for water connection. The applicant must provide the following document when applying for water connection:
- 3 copies of the application form duly stamped by the DCA
- A photo ID of the applicant
- A road map of the area leading to the property, showing important land marks • Block and parcel number of the property to be serviced
- A brief description of the building including color and material of construction
- A completed Consumer Data Form
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain inspection by APUA for cost assessment for water connection
Agency: Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA)
Once the application for water connection has been processed, a team will conduct an on-site inspection to assess the connection cost.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Build a septic tank for sewage
Agency: Private Company
Although there is water connection, the sewage system does not exist in the areas where the warehouse can be built. BuildCo needs to hire a private company to build a septic tank for sewage. On average, building a septic tank costs XCD 14,250 and takes 30 days.
Time and cost: 30 days, XCD 14,250
Obtain water connection
Agency: Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA)
According to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), the installation fee for a distance of 150 meters with a 1” water pipe is XCD 850.
Time and cost: 21 days, XCD 850
