How to Apply for Building Permit In Bahamas

Apply for Building Permit In Bahamas By Online

1. Anyone who wants to apply for an Building Permit need to submit an application for a Building Permit through the Department of Physical Planning and the Buildings Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development. The address is under the “Office Location and Contacts” section. You can also click on the following link

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3. The application for the Building Permit can be obtained from the Buildings Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development or downloaded here.
4. Fill out and submit the application form, along with the necessary documents, as which are provided below for the Ministry of Works & Urban Development or to the local administrator. Freeport applications are sent via Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited. Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited.
5. A 10 10% payment (of the estimated fee for building permits) is due at the time of the submission of an application. Please check the “Fees section.
6. The application and the supporting documents are submitted to the department to be processed:
   • Civil Design Section, where checks are conducted to ensure drainage and road access.
   • Department of Physical Planning, which gives permission for zoning.
   • Department of Environmental Health/BEST Commission for assessing the environmental impact of the project and to ensure conformity to Environmental Health codes.
   • Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development which is where they carry out structural, electrical, mechanical and other tests as needed.
7. A Building Permit will then be ready for issue. Drawings are stamped as accepted and the final price will be determined.
8. The applicants will be informed by phone regarding their Building Permit approval. The permit can be obtained when the fee for building permits.
9. The applicant then has to pay the final amount and pick up the Building Permit from the Buildings Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development. Family Island applicants can collect the approved permit and then make an end-of-year payment in the government offices of the municipality.

Notice: The application could be denied or additional information could be required at any point of the procedure. Any applicant who applies will receive any concerns by post. An application cannot be considered in the event that the requested information is not provided to the application. A delay in processing an application could be caused because of one or all of these reasons.

• Application incomplete.
• Queries that aren’t addressed.
• Legal issue relating to the application.

Required Documents For Apply for Building Permit

Pre-requisite:
To be able to complete the application, the following information must be provided The applicant should have at least three (3) drawing sets.

• Location Plan
• Site Plans
• Architectural plans
• Drawings of structural structures
• Electrical plans
• Mechanical drawings
• Plumbing
• Air-conditions
• L.P Gas

Supporting Documents:
The following documents should be submitted in duplicates:

• Location Plan.
• Survey Sketch of the Site.
• Site Plan.
• Architectural drawings authenticated by an architect registered with the Architect.
• Drawings of structural structures.
• Drawings of electrical and mechanical – made by an authorized Engineer.
• Affirmation letter issued by the Agency Based on the location or the nature that the proposed project.
• Dock (to be presented in the Port Department).
• Hanger (to be sent for submission to Civil Aviation Department).
• Construction of Lease/Land for Agriculture (to submit to Ministry of Agriculture).

Office Locations and Contacts

MINISTRY of WORKS AND Urban Development
BUILDINGS CONTROL DIVISION
Ground Floor, North Wing
John F Kennedy Drive
P.O. Box N-8156
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 302-9511 Ext.4328
Fax. (242) 302-9765
Office Hours: 9:00 am until 4:30 pm.

MINISTRY OF WORKS and TRANSPORT
HEADQUARTERS
JOHN F. KENNEDY DR.
P. O. Box N-8156
NASSAU and BAHAMAS
E-mail : admin@mowt.bs
Website: Link

MINISTRY of WORKS AND Urban Development
Counter for Applications, Planning Room, Filing Room
Ground Floor, East Wing
John F Kennedy Drive
P.O. Box N-8156
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 302-9511 Ext4300
Fax. (242) 302-9765
Office hours: 9:30 am until 4:30 pm.

GRAND BAHAMA PORT Authority
Pioneers Way & East Mail
PO Box F-42666
Freeport
Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Site: Link
Tel. (242) 350-9000
Contact Link: Link, Link, Link

Eligibility

Anyone who is interested in building is in the right position.

Fees

• Please consult the Building Permit Fee Schedule to determine the applicable cost.
• The amount of deposit is contingent upon what size the building.A deposit fee is required in order to begin with the Building Permit approval process. A Building Control Department Building Control Division will tell you the amount once you submit an application.
• It is only an initial deposit(usual 10 percent) to begin the process. You’ll pay the balance (90%)after the application has been accepted.

Validity

It is in effect for 18 month from the time of the issue. Extensions can be requested prior to the permit’s expiration date.

Documents to Utilize

Forms for application that may be used include: (or) Link1 (or) Link2

Processing Time

The application process could take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks, if the application is submitted in a timely manner.

Instructions

• It is essential to review the status frequently in order to make sure that every questions are properly answered.
• If an inquiry is not answered, it may delay the process of your application.

The Information You Need

• Name & Contact Details
• Specifics of the applicant’s interest in the property
• Address and the location of the property to be developed sufficiently detailed to allow the site to be easily identified
• Briefly describe the proposed development with a description of the intended use to which the land or building will be utilized
• Declare the reason why the land or building(s) are currently used.
• General information: the materials used to finish the exterior on the building(s)
• Architect/draughtsman
• Surveyor

The Document is required

• The Building Permit must be obtained for every expansions and new structures or modifications that include sheds, decks walls, retaining walls and fences within The Bahamas as mandated by the Buildings Regulations Act.
• Building permits are necessary to ensure the safety of the public wellbeing, health and safety when they are impacted by the construction of buildings, which includes its mechanical, structural electrical, and structural integrity, as well as adequate access facilities, sanitary equipment lighting, ventilation, and fire security.

Information that could be helpful

In the majority of cases, most cases, the Building Control officer will allow the application to be submitted without the Electrical and Mechanical plans, but they must be completed prior to the date the first inspection.

External Links

• Building operations are forbidden unless pursuant to a the building permits.
• Please read the Regulations for Building Regulations: Link