Kingston, Jamaica, 19 June 2026
New buildings in Jamaica will have to be designed to survive a Category Five hurricane under a revised Building Code that the Government plans to introduce during the current financial year.
Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie outlined the change during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on 3 June, describing the Category Five standard as a central element of the updated code.
Tougher enforcement on the way
The minister said the new rules will be backed by firmer powers for municipal corporations. These include compulsory compliance checks and heavier penalties for anyone found building illegally in high-risk areas.
To make those powers count, local authorities are to get more staff. Mr McKenzie told the House that the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has signed off on a revised establishment structure for the municipal corporations, which will allow them to hire additional building officers.
Rebuilding better, not just rebuilding
Framing the reforms within the wider recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the minister stressed that the reconstruction effort is not meant simply to put back what was destroyed. Instead, he said, the aim is to replace damaged infrastructure with modern, climate-smart structures that materially improve how people live.
He also warned elected officials at both national and parish level, along with the wider public, that the old ways of doing things would have to change. In his words, it “will not be business as usual”. He called for practicality, courage and consensus so that order becomes the norm in the built environment, replacing what he described as long-standing reckless and dangerous practices.
What it means for homeowners and builders
Anyone planning to build, extend or repair a home in the months ahead should expect closer scrutiny from their municipal corporation, particularly in flood-prone, coastal or hillside locations. Stronger roofs, better connections and sturdier foundations are likely to add to upfront costs, but they may also reduce the risk of losing a home to the next major storm.
Owners who have been putting off getting building approval for work already done may want to seek advice now, before compliance checks become mandatory and penalties rise. Buyers, too, may find that confirming a property’s approvals becomes an even more important part of their checks before purchase.
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