Obtain a location plan from the Land and Surveys Department
Agency: Land and Surveys Department
One of the requirements to apply for a building permit is to provide a location plan which can be obtained either from the Land and Surveys Department or at the Office of the Planning Board. According to the new Building regulations, this location plan must clearly show all easily identifiable points such as streams, road junctions, bridges and nearby houses.
Time and cost: 1 day, XCD 5
Receive site inspection prior to the building permit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
The Physical Planning Unit (PPU) will conduct a site inspection once the application for a building permit has been received. Once the visit is over, a decision is made regarding the permit. This inspection is part of the permitting process.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain building permit from the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
To obtain a building permit, BuildCo must first obtain an application form and a set of conditions and guidelines for building. BuildCo must then submit the application, along with the building plans and a location map.
Upon receiving the application and building plans, the Physical Planning Unit (PPU) advertises the proposed plans in the local newspaper for a minimum of 2 weeks to officially notify the area residents of the proposed commercial construction. If no complaints are raised and the file is complete, the PPU grants approval of the application. The stamped documents and application are then returned to the applicant.
Time and cost: 40 days, XCD 300
Receive setting out inspection by the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
In September 2011, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines implemented a National Building Code. The Code clarified the 8 stages of inspection that are required to ensure the safety of buildings.
Though inspections are required by law, they are rarely enforced in practice because manpower and resources are limited. There are two conditions under which an inspection would certainly take place:
- If there is a complaint or the Physical Planning Unit (PPU) suspects noncompliance or an infraction
- If BuildCo has taken a loan for the construction of the warehouse (in this case, the bank will send out its own inspectors to ensure conformity with loan requirements)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive excavation inspection by the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
BuildCo. receives second of a series of phased inspections.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive foundation inspection before concreting inspection by the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
BuildCo. receives third of a series of phased inspections.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive structural inspection (frame and roof) inspection by the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
BuildCo. receives fourth of a series of phased inspections.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive plumbing and drains inspection by the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
BuildCo. receives fifth of a series of phased inspections.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify the Physical Planning Unit of the completion of construction and request occupancy permit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
Once the construction is finalized, BuildCo. notifies the Physical Planning Unit and requests the occupancy permit
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection from the Physical Planning Unit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
An inspection on completion of construction is a formality that is not always completed in practice.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain occupancy permit
Agency: Physical Planning Unit (PPU)
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Request water and sewage connection
Agency: Central Water And Sewerage Authority (CWASA)
Application forms for a water connection can be obtained from various CWSA offices and must be completed and lodged with the CWSA for a technical appraisal.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive water and sewage inspection
Agency: Central Water And Sewerage Authority (CWASA)
Workers from the Central Water And Sewerage Authority (CWASA) conduct an inspection on the site.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewage connection
Agency: Central Water And Sewerage Authority (CWASA)
Time and cost: 35 days, XCD 900
