1,377 Building Applications Valued $68.8 Billion Submitted Between January And March

A total of 1,377 applications valued at $68.8 billion were submitted under the development approvals process and the revised building code between January and March this year.

Making his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 3), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that the number of building applications is “highly encouraging and positive news,” showing strong development activity in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“The records show that this number of applications far exceeds total applications received for all quarters, dating back to the April to June Quarter of 2023. This level of activity shows that people are working quickly to rebuild,” he said.

Importantly, he noted that the analysis reveals that more people are applying for building permits to ensure the structural integrity of their projects, with the most significant increase of 11 per cent in building applications for small residential developments under 300 square metres in size.

“This signals strong activity to rebuild houses, small businesses and factories. A total of 71 per cent of the applications approved were done within 90 days, and the investment value of these approved applications stands at $36.1 billion,” he informed.

The Local Government Minister told the House that in the nine months from January to September 2025, before Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, there was significant construction activity, as well as several building applications.

There was an 11 per cent increase in the number of applications received compared to the same period in 2024, with 3,764 applications submitted. These applications are valued at $46.1 billion, representing an increase in the investment value.

“Just as importantly, 81 per cent of those applications were approved within the benchmark period of 90 days. For this same period, the number of approvals given was valued at $164.2 billion,” he noted.

Minister McKenzie said the pre-Melissa figures also demonstrate increased activity in the expansion of the built environment.

“When compared to the development applications and approvals figures after Melissa, they stand as an important testament to the hard work of the local authorities and agencies such as the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), to push the country through the recovery phase and into the reconstruction phase,” he said.

The Local Government Minister noted that despite the loss and damage to municipal buildings in at least four parishes, the approval rates were only marginally affected, with 78 per cent of post-Hurricane Melissa applications being approved in the 90-day timeline.