WHAT WE DO

The purpose of the Building Unit is to safeguard life, health, property, and the public welfare by establishing minimum standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings through the regulation and control:

(a) Use and occupancy, type of construction, and provisions for egress, light, ventilation, and sanitary facilities.

(b) Structural sufficiency, methods of construction, and use of materials.

This is done by ensuring that the regulations of Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited Building & Sanitary Code, 1983, are properly enforced.

It must be stressed that the standards prescribed by this Code are minimum standards and compliance with them will not absolve from liability any owner or occupier of a lot if the terms of the lease, conveyance, or title deed under which he owns or occupies such lot prescribe any higher standards.

Scope

New Construction:

New buildings and structures hereafter erected in any area within the jurisdiction of this Code shall comply with the requirements as set forth in this Code.

Existing Buildings:

General: Except as otherwise specifically provided, buildings or structures to which additions, alterations, or repairs are made, and all such additions, alterations, or repairs, shall comply with all the requirements of this Code for new buildings or structures.

Exception: When specifically approved by the Development Agent, alterations or additions may be made without making the entire building or structure comply with new building requirements, provided in his opinion such modifications will not increase or cause a potentially hazardous condition.

Moved Buildings: Buildings or structures moved within the jurisdiction of this Code shall comply with the requirements of this Code.

Maintenance:

Buildings:

(1) All buildings, or structures, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

(2) All devices or safeguards required by this Code shall be maintained in good working order, by the owner or his designated agent.

Property:

(1) No debris of any kind shall be permitted to remain on any lot, sidewalk, or street, resulting from a fire, windstorm, flood, or building demolition.

(2) No equipment, excess building materials, storage shed, or debris shall be permitted to remain on any lot, sidewalk or street upon the completion of any new building.

Hurricane Precautions:

During periods of hurricane warnings or alerts the owner, occupant, or user of a property shall take the following precautions.

(1) Building and equipment and materials shall be in a generally secured condition.

(2) Canvass awnings shall be secured to rigid construction.

(3) Tents shall be taken down.

(4) Storm shutters as required elsewhere in this Code shall be in¬stalled.