, 1948-06-11
PUBLICATION REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A BUILDING CODE FoR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Laws 10 establish a BUILDING COQe Tor the Virgin Islands,
passed by the Thirteenth Legislative Assembly of the Virgin
Islands of the United States, became effective on May %. 1913.
upon signature by the Executive. The Law relates to the con-
struction, alienation, repair, removal, or demolition Of build
ings or other structure, including all electrical work for light
and power. In general, the Superintendent of Public Works
Of each of the two municipalities of the Virgin Islands is
charged with the administration and enforcement of the Build
ing Code. Rules and Regulations to govern the construction
alienation, maintenance, use occupancy, safety, electrical
and Mechanical equipment, and inspection of buildings or
structures in.the Virgin Islands, will be issued at a later date
after appropriate public hearings and with the approval of
the Governor and the respective Municipal Councils.
Every building or structure or part thereof including
plumbing and electric wiring for light and power, constructed
repaired, removed or demolished in the Virgin Islands after
the effective date of the law, shall be constructed, altered, re-
paired, removed, or demolished in conformity with the provi-
sions of the Building Code and Of any rules and regulations
issued Hereunder.
No building or structure or part thereof, including plumb
ing or electric wiring for light and power, shall hereafter be
built, altered, repaired, or, if within the limits of any town,
moved or demolished until a permit therefor has been granted
by disappointment Ordinary repairs to buildings or struc-
lures or part thereof, exclusive Of electric wiring for light or
power, may be made without permit, but such repairs shall
not include the cutting away of any wall or any portion there
OF, the removal or cutting away of any beams or supports, or
the removal change or closing of any stairway or exit.
Application for any permit shall be filed by the owner or
his agent with the Superintendent of the Municipality in
which the property is located.
A Building Board Of Appeals is created for each munich
paity. Any person who feels that an injustice has been done
him by any order, rule or regulation of the Superintendent
may appeal therefrom to the appropriate Building Board Of
Appeals by filing a written notice of appeal within Is DAYS
after receipt Of the order or ruling complained Of.
No person may engage in the trade of an electrician or
plumber within the Virgin Islands without a license therefor.
Such licenses shall be issued by the Government Secretary.
but only to those persons who are deemed qualified by train
ing and experience. Provision is made for revocation, suspen-
or oor0oIofion-nf 1iaoneO1 So o0-~ la II -. - ,
served to the perosn affected to apply for a hearing before
the Board Of Appeals.
AL buildings or parts of buildings, signs, and other ex-
posed structures shall be designed in accordance with the re-
quirements of the Building Code and the rules and regula-
tons OF the Superintendent Of Public Works to resist, in the
structural fran, horizontal wind pressure from any direction.
Exposed buildings shall be designed to withstand an assumed
wind pressure Of thirty pounds per square foot of gross ex-