Obtain a soil test study
Agency: Private firm
Based on The Kingston and St. Andrews Building Act LN/42/1995, a soil test is required for the foundation of a warehouse.
Time and cost: 25 days, JMD 150,000
Obtain results of topographical survey
Agency: Private/ commissioned land surveyor
A topographical survey is required for the site plan, which is one of the requirement to obtain a building permit (Article 25 of the Building Act of Kingston and St. Andrews). The Site plan must show the contour lines for Gradient 15 degrees (1:4) and over where the land is susceptible to flooding and landslide (existing land contours at a maximum of 3m increments or as required by your Local Planning Authority).
The certified property title is needed to obtain this survey.
Time and cost: 25 days, JMD 100,000
Hold pre-application consultation/facilitation meeting with DAC
Agency: Development Assistance Centre
Development Assistance Centre (DAC) now assists in pre-Application evaluation and gives guidance on the technical requirements that will support the application. The DAC may also call meetings between all of the relevant government agencies to allow them to review and provide guidance and comments. The response will include an indication of any potential issues identified and a Technical Information Document (TID) which details the relevant guidelines that are to be followed to streamline and process the application. Once the pre-consultation has been done and the TID provided, the applicant is then advised to use the guidance to formalize the project, the DAC also offers to review the resultant application and submission for completeness prior to submission. Once satisfied the application is submitted in to the Development Application Review Process.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Obtain sewage permit to connect to public sewage
Agency: National Water Commission
Before a formal application for the building permit can be submitted, it is important to obtain a sewage permit. This will show that both water and sewage are available in this area. The architect/engineer must show how the connection to sewage will be done and this plan will be approved by NWC. When the certificate letter is obtained, there is a fee of JMD 5000 to be paid.
Time and cost: 7 days, JMD 5,000
Obtain fire approval certificate
Agency: Jamaica Fire Brigade
Before a formal application for the building permit can be submitted, it is important to obtain a clearance certificate from the Fire Brigade.
Time and cost: 7 days, JMD 4,000
Obtain a certified copy of the property title
Agency: Jamaican Land Registry
One of the requirements to obtain a building permit is to provide a proof of ownership. This document must be a certified copy of the property title.
Time and cost: 1 day, JMD 1,000
Obtain a property tax certificate
Agency: Tax Administration Jamaica
It is now a mandatory requirement when applying for a building permit to also submit a property Tax certificate to show that the owner is up to date with all property taxes. The owner will go to the ax authority with all the property tax receipts and request a certificate showing that there are no outstanding property tax to be paid.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain approval of building plans by KSAC
Agency: Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation
BuildCo must obtain approval of building plans from the Planning Authority, the Fire Department, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and other authorities concerned. Several documents are required to obtain this approval, including a property title and proof of ownership. Approval is valid for 2 years and can be renewed.
To obtain approval, BuildCo files the drawings with the municipality. Four meetings are held to review the drawings: fire, health, road, a general meeting after all others are completed and NEPA approval is received.
Each meeting has a set date, normally one per week sequentially. If there is a holiday, the meeting will be postponed. If BuildCo misses a meeting, the whole process will be prolonged.
Time and cost: 90 days, JMD 181,078
Notify the Municipality of the commencement of work
Agency: Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation
BuildCo must inform the Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation when the construction work will start.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive excavation inspection from KSAC
Agency: Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation
BuildCo sends a written notification enclosed with the project approval number to the building authority 3 days in advance of the excavation inspection. If the inspector comes on schedule, construction work does not have to stop.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive foundation steel inspection from KSAC
Agency: Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive beam and roof inspection
Agency: Municipal Authority (KSAC) Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection by the Fire Brigade
Agency: Jamaica Fire Brigade
The Jamaica Fire Brigade will conduct an inspection of the warehouse to ensure that reasonable steps are taken for the prevention of fire and for protection against the dangers of fire. This is a pre-condition to requesting the final inspection by the Building Control Department.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection by the Ministry of Environmental Health
Agency: Ministry of Environmental Health
An inspection by the Ministry of Environmental Health stating that the building is in compliance with the environmental health standards is a prerequisite to requesting the final inspection by the Building Control Department.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive final inspection
Agency: Building Control Department
BuildCo must submit a completion form and send to the Building Control Department to receive the final inspection once the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Ministry of Environmental Health have both inspected the building. It will be the responsibility of the architect and engineer to issue the certificate of compliance once the final inspection is over.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Apply for water and sewage connection
Agency: National Water Commission
Updated requirements for obtaining water and sewage connections were issued by the National Water Commission (NWC) in May 2011. It is necessary to make a deposit when applying for the connection – the amount depends on whether or not the layout of the pipes are conducted by a private contractor or by NWC.
Time and cost: 0.5 days, no charge
Receive inspection from the National Water Commission to assess the cost of connection
Agency: National Water Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewage connection
Agency: National Water Commission
Time and cost: 16 days, JMD 55,000
