Dealing with Construction Permits in the Bahamas

The table below summarizes the procedures, time, and costs to build a warehouse in Bahamas, the.

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Data as of: January 2009
Estimated Warehouse Value: BSD 1,120,000
City: Nassau

	Procedure	Time to complete:	Cost to complete:
1	Request and obtain “approval in principle” (planning permission) with the Town Planning Committee	30 days	no charge
2	Request and obtain building permit at the Building Control Unit of the Ministry of Works	120 days	BSD 3,850
3	Obtain plumbing certificate	1 day	no charge
*4	Request electrical certificate	1 day	no charge
*5	Receive inspection for electrical certificate	1 day	no charge
*6	Obtain electrical certificate	1 day	no charge
7	Receive inspection - floor	1 day	no charge
8	Receive inspection - walls	1 day	no charge
9	Receive inspection - roof	1 day	no charge
10	Receive final inspection	1 day	no charge
11	Obtain occupancy permit	2 days	no charge
12	Request electrical service	1 day	no charge
13	Receive electrical inspection	1 day	no charge
14	Obtain electrical service	16 days	BSD 41,000
15	Request water and sewage	1 day	no charge
*16	Receive water and sewage inspection	1 day	no charge
*17	Obtain water and sewage service	16 days	BSD 2,784
*18	Obtain telephone service	16 days	BSD 150

* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.

Procedure 1.: Request and obtain “approval in principle” (planning permission) with the Town Planning Committee
Time to complete:: 30 days
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Town Planning Comission
Comment:: This approval is not a pre-requisite for the building permit but most constructors would still want to obtain it in advance to make sure that their project is viable/acceptable in terms of town planning. Only the following documents have to be attached: plot and location plan, not proof of ownership needed at this point. The Committee that examines the proposal meets only every other week. The Committee members represent the different interest groups that are interested in building process. The Committee agenda is prepared by the Department of Physical Planning; The Committee also hears complaints and addresses grievances.

Procedure 2.: Request and obtain building permit at the Building Control Unit of the Ministry of Works
Time to complete:: 120 days
Cost to complete:: BSD 3,850
Name of Agency:: Ministry of Works
Comment:: The cost of the permit is a function of the surface of the construction (over 10,000 sq ft = USD 25 per 100 sq ft + 10% of the total, thus 25 * 140 + (25 *140 * 10%) = 3,500 + 350 = LCU 3,850). The permit also has to go again to the Town Planning Department to approve the zoning. The Development Control Unit estimates 90 to 120 days. Buildings Regulation Art. 4. (1) “Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall commence or carry on, or cause or procure to be commenced or carried on, any building operation save under and in accordance with the conditions of a valid building permit and in accordance with the provisions of this Act and any rules and the Building Code.”. The status of the application can be checked online (http://65.198.211.69/mopwuserlogin/PreguntaPage.htm)

Procedure 3.: Obtain plumbing certificate
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Ministry of Works
Comment:: Licensed plumber hired by BuildCo approves the plumbing works. After this is completed BuildCo must take the official form to the Ministry of Works

Procedure 14.: Obtain electrical service
Time to complete:: 16 days
Cost to complete:: BSD 41,000
Name of Agency:: Bahamas Electricity Corporation
Comment:: Cost estimate is LCU 30,000 for overhead connection, plus LCU 5,000 for the transformer and a LCU 6,000 security deposit (only returned with 3% interest when contract with Bahamas Electric Corporation is terminated).

Procedure 17.: Obtain water and sewage service
Time to complete:: 16 days
Cost to complete:: BSD 2,784
Name of Agency:: Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation
Comment:: Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation will conduct the works to connect the meter to the main. BuildCo must hire a licensed plumber to connect from the meter to the building. Cost includes labor, connection fee and meter.