A Building Permit is required for all new construction, additions, alterations, including decks, sheds, retaining walls, and fences in The Bahamas as mandated by the Buildings Regulations Act.

Building permits are required to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction, through its structural, mechanical, electrical integrity, adequate exit facilities, sanitary equipment, lighting, ventilation and fire safety.  Building permission must be obtained from the Buildings Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development before any building is undertaken.

The permit is valid for eighteen months from the date of issue. An extension may be applied for prior to the permit expiration date.

Anyone interested in building.

1. Complete and submit the application form along with the required documents listed below, to the Ministry of Works & Urban Development or local administrator. Freeport applications are submitted to the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited.
2. A 10% deposit (of the estimated building permit fee) is payable on submission of application. Please see fees table.
3. The application and supporting documents are sent to the following departments for processing:
   1. Civil Design Section, where checks are made for drainage and road access.
   2. Department of Physical Planning, which grants zoning approval.
   3. Department of Environmental Health/BEST Commission, to assess the environmental impact and ensure compliance with Environmental Health codes.
   4. Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development, where they complete mechanical, electrical, structural and other checks as necessary.  
4. The Building Permit is then prepared for issue.  Drawings are stamped as approved and the final fee is assessed and calculated.   
5. Applicants are notified via telephone that the Building Permit has been approved and can be collected upon payment of the building permit fee.
6. The applicant must then make final payment and collect the Building Permit at the Buildings Control Division of the Ministry of Works & Urban Development.  Family Island applicants collect approved permit and make final payment at the local government office.  
   

Note: The application may be refused or additional information requested at any stage of the application process.  The applicant is informed of any queries in writing via the post. The application will not move forward unless the requested information is supplied. 
An application can be delayed for any of the following reasons:

•  Incomplete application.
• Queries not addressed.
• Legal matter involving the application.

Building Permit application form.

The following documents must be supplied in triplicates:
 

• Location Plan.
• Survey Drawing of Site.
• Site Plan.
• Architectural drawings – signed by a registered Architect.
• Structural drawings.
• Mechanical and electrical drawings - signed by a registered Engineer.
• Approval letter from Agency based on the location or nature of the project.

1. Dock – Port Department.
2. Hanger – Civil Aviation Department.
3. Build of Lease/Agricultural Land – Ministry of Agriculture.

Fees vary based on the type of operations.  Please see The Building Permit Schedule of fees to determine the associated fee. 

The Buildings Control Division
Ground Floor
John F Kennedy Drive
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 302-9511
Fax. (242) 302-9765
Office Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Ministry of Works & Urban Development
Applications Counter, Planning 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 to 4:30 pm.

Grand Bahama Port Authority
Pioneers Way & East Mail
PO Box F-42666
Freeport
Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
Website: www.gbpa.com
Tel. (242) 350-9000