Department of Planning Repair Fees Waived for Hurricane Damages

The Department of Planning is sensitive to the needs of the public regarding potential repairs to damaged property caused by the recent passing of Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Jerry.

Department of Planning technical officers are available to assist and are advising that, under the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, all planning costs related to hurricane damage repairs have been waived for one month. The period to have fees waived will be from 27 September, 2019 until 26 October, 2019.

Persons seeking to submit applications for repairs should note the following specifications and associated contact information:

Repairs to Buildings

Like-for-like repairs of windows, doors and roof slate will not require planning permission or a building permit if the damage is limited to non-structural issues. Owners can proceed immediately with these types of repairs as soon as it is feasibly possible.

Repairs to buildings that received structural damage as a result of the hurricane may only commence following the receipt of a building permit from the Department of Planning. These applications will be given priority and will be processed expeditiously. The Department can allow for dangerous structural repairs to commence without a permit as long as the Department is made aware and structural details are submitted as an application as expeditiously as possible following commencement of work.

Class IV of the Development and Planning (General Development) Order 1999 says that a General Development Permit / Permitted Development Permit can be used for damages caused by storms and fire provided that no more than 60% of the building/structure has been destroyed and that the replacement is not greater than the existing building/structure.

Please review the General Development Order / Permitted Development Permit Guidance Note for more information: https://planning.gov.bm/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GN101-General-Development-Order.pdf

For building permit information, please contact Chris Bulley on 298-6375 or cbulley@gov.bm.

For development application information, please contact Paul McDonald on 297-7793 or pamcdonald@gov.bm.  

Repairs to Listed Buildings

Repairs to Listed Buildings or buildings located within Historic Protection Areas that received structural damage as a result of the hurricane may only commence following receipt of a building permit from the Department.  All such permit applications will be expedited by the Department.

Repairs to a Listed Building damaged as a result of Hurricane Humberto and/or Tropical Storm Jerry using “like-for- like” details and materials will not require planning permission or a building permit if the damage is limited to non-structural issues. Owners can proceed immediately with repairing items such as windows, doors and roof slate with identical materials to replicate the style and detailing of the original structure.

For further information or advice, please contact Larry Williams on 297-7724 or lqwilliams@gov.bm.

Please review Guidance Note 203 for more information: https://planning.gov.bm/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GN203-Listed-Buildings-Restoration.pdf

Repairs for Damaged Sea Walls and Docks

Seawalls and docks to be replaced will ordinarily require a building permit only. This is to ensure that the replacement structures meet the Bermuda Building Code 1998 and are structurally sound. Since seawalls and docks can have a negative impact on the natural foreshore both physically and visually, planning permission may be required in some instance. Prior to considering any repair works, the Department of Planning should be consulted.

Assistance, information, and clarification of the requirements should be directed to the Department of Planning at 297-7756. For the most up to date information, visit the Department’s website at www.planning.gov.bm.

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