All construction within Jamaica is compelled to conform to THE PARISH COUNCILS

BUILDING ACT. The Parish Councils Building Act (Hanover) By-Laws. 1952, outlines the
requirements for all construction within the area, and states “No person shall erect or re-erect any
building or remove, alter or extend any building or any part thereof unless the plan of such
building, alteration or extension has been approved by the Council.” Because of this requirement,
any person that wishes to construct in the area will need to give notice in writing and supply
specific information to their parish council, such as a full set of plans, in duplicate, showing the
type of building, location, method of construction, system of drainage and water supply. The
notice should also include a site plan (in duplicate) drawn to a scale of not less than 40 feet to an
inch showing the site, and any access or proposed access between the site and any existing or
proposed roadway. There must also be a plan drawn to a scale of no less than 8 feet to an inch
showing the several floors of the building, lines of drainage, the front and other elevations, and
sections, and should be sufficient to show the construction of every part of the building, and any
other particulars that the Council may need. The by-laws also specify the requirements for the
construction of all types of building, which is dependent on the type of building and its purpose.
The Kingston and St. Andrew Building Act 19th April, 1883 states that anyone wishing
to construct should give notice to the Building Authority, this notice should be accompanied by
“An accurate ground plan showing the land or site, the frontage line for length of twenty feet, of
any building, whether standing or in ruins, adjacent on each side thereof, and the full width of the
street or streets immediately in front and at the side, or back thereof, if any.” There should also
be an accurate plan showing the several floors and the front elevation of the building, and at least
one cross section. These plans should also include any other cross or longitudinal sections and
further particulars that the council may from time to time, by regulation or in any case, require.
Builders should also provide an accurate plan showing the frontage of the building on any street
or lane. All plans should be to a scale not smaller than one eighth of an inch to one foot. If the
drawing is approved by the Surveyor, he/she will notify his approval of the same in writing to the
builder, or he may request amended drawings.