KSAMC modernising building permit processes

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is rolling out a new building inspection and permit process to improve its procedures for development.

"I am proud to announce to the public that you can now review building permit applications and approvals online at the KSAMC's website. This is a pioneer moment for local authorities. You can view the stages of consideration of the application, make and view objections, view stages of approval, and much more," Mayor of Kingston, Senator Delroy Williams, said. The website can be accessed at www.ksamc.gov.jm.

The mayor explained that residents were previously only aware of developments by the posting of notices at construction sites or after approvals were done.

"You can search by community, by district, by street; so you are aware of the applications that [have been processed] or are in the processing stage at the municipality. So, you're able to check, do your checks, raise your concerns or objections, and those concerns or objections must be presented to the building committee in its consideration of the application," Williams told the Senate last week.

He informed that building officers cannot place an application before the committee without all the objections raised being furnished. He explained that the building committee comprises members from a wide range of agencies, ministries and civil society. He also noted that the municipality is also moving to increase its complement of inspectors, adding that currently there are only five on staff.