Existing buildings with a permit can rebuild based on the issued building permit

POND ISLAND — The Ministry of VROMI has issued a correction that existing buildings with a permit can rebuild based on the issued building permit. Based on a previous press release, there was considerable debate whether property owners had to request a building permit in order to carry out repairs of damage caused by hurricane Irma.

The ministry would like to clarify the post hurricane rebuilding activities which will not require a permit. Any rebuilding works according to the drawings of the already approved building permit requires no new building permit. For example, a house that was issued a building permit in 2001 which has lost its roof, can rebuild the roof according to the building permit drawings previously approved by VROMI.

Any extensions, add-ons or changes to a building that VROMI did not previously approve will require a permit. For example, a house that was issued a permit in 2013 with a zink roof, will be required to submit a request for the change to a concrete roof. The drawings will then be checked for safety and subsequently approved by VROMI within a short period of time.

As previously mentioned the Ministry of VROMI will be assessing all damaged structures due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria.

Residents are expected to rebuild structures that have an issued building permit.

In the interim, specialized inspectors will be listing uninhabitable structures and structures that have been deemed damaged beyond repair.

The general public is reminded that building or making changes to a building without an approved building permit, is in violation of article 7 of the Building Ordinance. A building stop is in effect for all construction activities without a valid building permit.

Only property owners who are planning to erect new buildings, make changes to existing approved buildings are requested to report to the Ministry of VROMI’s Inspection/Permits Department in the New Government Building on the Pond Island and fill out a building permit request form on Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4PM. For questions about this subject persons can also contact the ministry’s hotline at 5206573.

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