Dealing with Construction Permits in
Bahamas, The
Listed below is detailed summary of the procedures, time and costs to build a warehouse —including obtaining necessary licenses and permits, completing required notifications and inspections and obtaining utility connections.
The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 183 economies. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in June 2011.
-
Building a warehouse
-
Estimated Warehouse Value:
BSD 1,120,000
- City: Nassau
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Request and obtain “approval in principle” (planning permission) with the Town Planning Committee
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.
Agency: Town Planning Comission
|
30 days
|
no charge
|
| 2 |
Request and obtain building permit at the Building Control Unit of the Ministry of Works
The cost of the permit is a function of the surface of the construction (over 10,000 sq ft = $25 per 100 sq ft, thus 25 * 140 = $3,500). 10% of the total fee is paid upon application for the permit as a deposit and the remaining 90% is paid upon the receipt of the permit. 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)
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
120 days
|
BSD 3,500
|
| 3 |
Request plumbing certificate
Licensed plumber hired by BuildCo submits Plumbing Specification forms to the Ministry of Works and requests an inspection in person.
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 4 |
Receive inspection for plumbing certificate
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 5 |
Obtain plumbing certificate
After the plumbing has been approved, the plumber can obtain a copy of the approval at the Ministry of Works.
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 6 |
Request electrical certificate
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 7 |
Receive inspection for electrical certificate
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 8 |
Obtain electrical certificate
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Receive inspection - floor
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 10 |
Receive inspection - walls
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 11 |
Receive inspection - roof
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 12 |
Receive final inspection
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 13 |
Obtain occupancy permit
Agency: Ministry of Works
|
2 days
|
no charge
|
| 14 |
Request water and sewage
Agency: Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 15 |
Receive water and sewage inspection
Agency: Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 16 |
Obtain water and sewage service
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.
Agency: Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation
|
16 days
|
BSD 2,784
|
| * 17 |
Obtain telephone service
Agency: Bahamas Telecommunications Company
|
16 days
|
BSD 150
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.