“We Have to Be Taking Some to Court”: Trelawny Says Churches Are Among Those Building Without Permits

• The Trelawny Municipal Corporation says unauthorised construction is widespread
• Several churches are among the buildings of concern
• Notices have been served on one church and its case sent to the council’s attorney
• The mayor warned of the risk of unsafe buildings collapsing in hurricane season

Churches in Trelawny are among the property owners the parish council says are building without approval. The Jamaica Observer reported in June 2025 that the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has a widespread problem with unauthorised construction across the parish and is preparing to take some offenders to court.

“We have quite a major issue with compliance. We have to be taking some to court,” said Mayor C Junior Gager. He said the council’s technical team could go out on any day and serve about 20 notices on people who were not complying.

At least one congregation has reached the legal stage. “One of the churches, the necessary notices were served and we sent off to our attorney,” the mayor said.

Gager said the main concern was safety, especially with hurricane season starting. “We don’t want you to be worshipping with, for example, 110 members and then we hear the sad news that the building wasn’t strong and [collapsed],” he said. He urged people to get the proper permits and approvals for all construction. Chief Engineering Officer Kayon Hall said his department was “trying our best to curtail the illegal activity throughout the parish by enforcement”.

The Observer did not name the church facing legal action or describe what it had built.

Many Jamaican churches grow by adding on, one room or one extension at a time, often with volunteer labour and without formal plans. Trelawny’s warning is a reminder that a church building is legally like any other: it needs approved plans, and it carries more risk than most because so many people gather inside at once. An enforcement notice or court case can cost a congregation far more than applying for permission would have. For churches planning to expand, and for diaspora members raising money for building projects back home, getting approvals and engineering sign-off should be part of the budget from the start.

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