2019 US Virgin Islands Code
Title 29 - Public Planning and Development
Chapter 5 - Building Code
Subchapter II - Permits, Appeals, and Fees
§ 296. Fees and fines for building permits
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, fees for permits, surveys, licenses for surveyors, and the location of bound posts shall be as specified in the rules and regulations referred to in section 312 of this title. No changes in such fees shall be made by the Commissioner without the approval of the Governor and the Legislature.
(b) Fees are payable at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources as follows:
(1) A nonrefundable deposit of $40/commercial and $20/residential at the time of filing the application for all permits.
(2) Balance on the approval of the plans and the issuance of a permit.
(3) Fees are not refundable if construction is not started or completed, or if the permit is unclaimed, or is revoked for cause by the Commissioner.
(4) All residential fees shall be computed using the revised CABO fee schedule in accordance with IRC 2003, section R1082.
(5) All commercial fees shall be computed using the revised UBC fee schedule in accordance with IBC 2003, section 1082.
(c) Fees for electrical wiring permits and plumbing permits shall be as follows:
- Up to and including $1,000 $30/residential and $60/commercial each additional $1,000 $10/residential and $20/commercial
(d) The fee for a permit authorizing the demolition of any building or structure or appurtenances connected or attached to such building or structure shall be $50/residential and $100/commercial or two cents per square foot for residential properties and five cents per square foot for commercial properties, whichever is greater. If, however, the demolition of the structure is included as part of the permitted construction phase, then the fee shall be calculated per square-footage cost and added to the building permit fee.
(e) The fee for a Certificate of Use and Occupancy shall be $50 for residential premises and $100 for commercial premises.
(f) The fee for a permit authorizing the placing, erecting, construction, or affixing of any sign to any post, fence, building, or structure for out-of-doors advertising shall be $50.
(g) Any person who fails to secure a permit or certificate under this chapter or regulation, fails to pay the permit or certificate fee, or violates any provision of any permit or certificate issued under this chapter or regulation shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1500 per day per violation.
(h) Civil penalties charged pursuant to subsection (g) of this section may be assessed administratively by the Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources if the person charged has been given an opportunity to have a hearing, and findings of fact and conclusions of law are made before the civil penalties are imposed.
(i) The fees prescribed in this section and in the buildings codes adopted by reference in section 311 of this chapter do not apply to permits for construction or demolition of public housing under the jurisdiction of the Virgin Islands Housing Authority or Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority or any successor agency where only territorial funds are used. When work for which a permit is required by the Building Code is started or commenced prior to obtaining the permit, the fines shall be four times the amount of the building fee permit, plus an investigative fee of twice the amount, but the payment of the fines shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of the Code in the execution of the work nor from any other penalties prescribed in the Code.
