cap. 131 belize city building act

BELIZE

BELIZE CITY BUILDING ACT

CHAPTER 131

REVISED EDITION 2000

SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000

This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner

under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize,

Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.

This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3

BELIZE CITY BUILDING ACT 7

Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.

THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000

Printed by the Government Printer,

No. 1 Power Lane,

Belmopan, by the authority of

the Government of Belize.

Belize City Building [CAP. 131

[ ]

3

CHAPTER 131

BELIZE CITY BUILDING ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary

1. Short title.

2. Interpretation.

PART II

Alteration of Building

3. Additions to and alterations of buildings.

PART III

New Building

4. New Building to conform to regulations.

5. “New building”- extended definition of.

6. Power to make regulations.

7. Power to dispense with regulations on such terms as Central

Authority may impose.

8. Certificate of compliance with building regulations.

Belize City BuildingCAP. 131]



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9. Central Authority may remove or pull down works executed

contrary to Act.

10. Plans deposited to be of no effect if building is not commenced

within twelve months.

11. Building over drains not allowed except by special leave.

12. Notice of intention to erect new building.

13. Notice of day on which work will commence.

14. Contravention of regulations or notice given by City Engineer.

15. Access to works by City Engineer.

16. Notice of completion of building.

17. Penalty for breach of regulations with respect to new buildings.

18. Owner and builder liable for contravention of regulations.

19. Authentication of notices, etc.

20. Notice served on builder to be binding on owner.

21. Appeal by person aggrieved.

22. Appeal to Supreme Court.



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PART IV

Public Buildings

23. Public building - precautions and examinations for safety of the

public.

24. Engineer may enter and inspect.

25. Public building not to be used until approved.

26. Conversion into a public building of building erected for other

purpose.

27. Central Authority may require alterations necessary for safety of

public.

PART V

Verandahs, Balconies, Sunshades, etc.

28. Verandahs, etc., projecting over street.

29. Doors not to open over thoroughfare.

PART VI

Dangerous Building

30. Dangerous building-notice to owner.




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PART VII

Notice of Intention to Remove Buildings

31. Building not to be pulled down or removed except after notice to

City Council.

32. Penalty for removing or pulling down building without notice.

33. Payment of rates before removal of building.

34. Penalty for obstruction.

35. Recovery of penalties.

36. Application.

FIRST SCHEDULE

SECOND SCHEDULE



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CHAPTER 131

BELIZE CITY BUILDING

[1st January, 1964]

PART I

Preliminary

1. This Act may be cited as the Belize City Building Act.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:-

“builder” means the person who is employed to build or to execute any work

on a building or structure; or, where no such person is so employed, the owner

of the building or structure;

“building” includes any structure whatever, of any material and for any purpose

constructed, and any part of a building;

“building of the warehouse class” means a warehouse, factory, workshop and

every other building not being either a domestic or a public building;

“Central Authority” means the Central Housing and Planning Authority established

under the Housing and Town Planning Act;

“City Council” means the Belize City Council and includes any person lawfully

acting on their behalf;

“City Engineer” means the person appointed by the Central Authority as City

Engineer;

CAP. 102,

R.E. 1980-1990.

21 of 1962.Commencement.

S.I. 72 of 1963.

Short title.

Interpretation.

CAP. 182.




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[ ]

“domestic building” means a dwelling-house or any office building or other

out-building appurtenant to a dwelling house, whether attached thereto or not,

or a shop or any other building not being a public building or of the warehouse

class;

“dwelling-house” means a building used or constructed or adapted to be used

wholly or principally for human habitation;

“habitable room” means a room constructed or adapted to be inhabited;

“inhabited” applied to a room, means a room in which some person passes the

night, or which is used as a living room, including a room with regard to which

(until the contrary is proved) there is a presumption that some person passes

the night therein, or that it is used as a living room;

“lot” means any parcel of land described as a lot by a number or a letter in the

valuation list for Belize City made under the Towns Property Tax Act, or any

Act amending or replacing the same;

“owner” includes the person for the time being receiving the rent of the land or

building in connection with which the word is used, whether on his own account

or as agent or trustee for any other person, or who would so receive that rent

if the land or building were let, or the person in occupation of the land or

building, but does not include a tenant from year to year or for any less term or

a tenant at will;

“public building” means a building used or constructed or adapted to be used,

either ordinarily or occasionally, as a church or chapel or other place of public

worship, or as a hospital, public institution, hotel, flat, school (not being merely

a dwelling-house so used), theatre, club, public hall, public ball room, public

lecture room, or a public place of assembly for persons admitted thereto by

tickets or otherwise, or used or constructed or adapted to be used, either

ordinarily or occasionally for any public purpose.

CAP. 65.



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PART II

Alteration of Buildings

3.-(1) Every addition to or alteration of any building, and any other work

made or done for any purpose in or upon any building (except that of necessary

repair not affecting the construction of any external or partywall), shall so far as

regards such alterations or additions or such other work, be subject to this Act

and to of the regulations in the Second Schedule, or any other building regulations

made hereunder.

(2) No person shall (except with the consent of the Central Authority) make

any alterations to any building in such a manner that, when so altered, it will, by

reason of such alteration, not be in conformity with this Act or any regulations

contained in the Second Schedule or made under any powers conferred by this

Act.

PART III

New Building

4. No person shall construct any new building in any part of Belize City

otherwise than subject to and in accordance with the regulations set out in the

Second Schedule, or any other regulations made under the powers conferred

by this Act in substitution for or in addition to such regulations.

5. For the purposes of this Act and of the regulations in the Second

Schedule, and of any regulations made in addition to or in substitution for such

regulations, each of the following operations, namely-

(a) the re-erection, wholly or partially, of any building of which an

outer wall is pulled down or burnt down to or within ten feet

of the surface of the ground adjoining the lowest storey of the

building and of any frame building so far pulled down or burnt

Additions to

and alterations

of buildings.

Second

Schedule.

Second

Schedule.

New building to

conform to

regulations.

Second

Schedule.

“New building” -

extended

definition of.

Second

Schedule.




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down as to leave only the framework of the lowest storey;

(b) the conversion into a dwelling-house of any building not

originally constructed for human habitation, or the conversion

into more than one dwelling-house of a building originally

constructed as one dwelling-house only;

(c) the reconversion into a dwelling-house of any building which

has been discontinued as or appropriated for any purpose

other than that of a dwelling-house;

(d) the making of any addition to an existing building by raising

any part of the roof, by altering a wall, or making any pro-

jection from the building, but so far as regards the addition

only; and

(e) the roofing or covering over of an open space between walls

or buildings,

shall be deemed to be the erection of a new building.

6. Subject to the approval of the National Assembly, to be expressed by

resolution, the Central Authority may vary or revoke any of the regulations in

the Second Schedule, and may make all such other and further regulations as

may be necessary for the carrying out of this Act, and may attach a penalty not

exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars to the breach of any regulations made

under this Act, and may attach a continuing penalty not exceeding fifty dollars

for every day during which such breach shall continue, and may vary and annul

any such regulations.

7.-(1) On the application of any building owner, the Central Authority, where

they think it expedient to do so, may dispense with the observance of any of

the regulations contained in the Second Schedule on such terms and conditions

as they may think proper.

Power to make

regulations.

Second Schedule.

Power to dispense

with regulations

on such terms as

Central Authority

may impose.

Second Schedule.



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(2) Where there is non-observance of any terms or conditions upon which

the Central Authority may have dispensed with the observance of any such

regulations, such liabilities shall be incurred by the building owner and such

proceedings may be taken by the Central Authority as if the terms and conditions

had been enacted by such regulations.

8.-(1) No person shall let or occupy, or suffer to be occupied (except by

caretakers not exceeding two in number), any new building unless the City

Engineer shall have certified in writing that such building complies in every respect

with this Act, and with all regulations made by the Central Authority with respect

to new buildings.

(2) Any person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and on

conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.

9.-(1) If any building is commenced or completed, or any work to which any

of the provisions of this Act or any regulations contained in this Act or made

hereunder may apply, is begun or done in contravention of any of the provisions

of this Act or of any such regulations, the Central Authority may, by notice in

writing served upon or delivered to the person by whom such building is

commenced or completed, or such work begun or done, require such person,

on or before a day to be specified in the notice, by a statement in writing under

his hand and addressed to and duly served upon the Central Authority, to show

cause why such buildings or such work should not be removed, altered, or

pulled down, or require that person, on such day and at such time and place as

is specified in the notice, to attend personally or by an agent duly authorised in

writing in that behalf before the Central Authority and show sufficient cause

why such building or such work should not be removed, altered or pulled down.

(2) If such person fails to show sufficient cause why the building or the

work should not be removed, altered, or pulled down, the Central Authority

may remove, alter, or pull it down, and the expenses incurred by the Central

Certificate of

compliance with

building

regulations.

Central

Authority may

remove or pull

down works

executed

contrary to Act.




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Authority in removing, altering, or pulling down the building or the work shall

be repaid by that person, and shall be a debt due to the Central Authority by

the owner and, until repayment, shall be a charge on the premises on which the

building was commenced or completed, or such work executed, in

contravention of this Act or of any such regulations.

(3) The power conferred by this section shall be in addition and without

prejudice to any other remedy provided by this Act or by such regulations for

the recovery of any penalties for breach of any building regulations contained

in this Act or any other regulations made hereunder.

10.-(1) The deposit of any plans or sections of any building, in pursuance of

this Act or of the regulations relating to new buildings for the time being in

force, may, by notice in writing to the person by whom the plans or sections

have been deposited, be declared by the Central Authority to be of no effect

if the work to which the plans or sections relate is not commenced within

twelve months from the approval of such plans or sections.

(2) The Central Authority shall attach a notice of the provisions of this

section to their approval of every such intended work in relation to which

plans and sections have been deposited with them.

11. No building shall be constructed over any thoroughfare, drain, ravine,

or storm water channel or any public place or any park or garden belonging to

the City Council except with the written permission of the City Council and

upon such conditions as the City Council may impose.

12.-(1) Every person who intends to erect a new building or alter a building

shall give to the Central Authority notice in writing of his intention, which he

shall deliver or send to the City Engineer at his office in Belize City.

(2) He shall at the same time deliver or send to the City Engineer at his

office complete plans and sections of every floor of the building, which shall be

drawn or reproduced in duplicate, on suitable and durable material, to a scale

Plans deposited to

be of no effect if

building is not

commenced within

twelve months.

Building over

drains not allowed

except by special

leave.

Notice of intention

to erect new

building.



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of not less than one inch to every eight feet, or if the building is extensive, not

less than one inch to every sixteen feet, and shall show the position, form, and

dimensions of the several parts of such building, and of every water closet,

earth closet, privy, gully and drain and of every appurtenance, and on which the

building shall be so described as to show whether it is intended to be used as a

dwelling-house or otherwise.

(3) Such person shall at the same time deliver or send to the City Engineer

at his office a description in writing of the materials of which it is intended that

such building shall be constructed, and of the intended mode of drainage.

(4) Such person shall, whenever required by the Central Authority, at

the same time deliver or send to the City Engineer at his office a block plan of

such building, which shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one inch to every

forty feet, and shall show the position of the building and of the appurtenances

of the buildings immediately adjoining, the width and level of the streets abutting

thereon, the level of the lowest floor of such building, and of any yard or grounds

belonging thereto.

(5) Such person shall also show on such plan the intended lines of drainage

of such building, and the intended size, depth, and inclination of each drain.

(6) Such person shall, in all cases, furnish such other plans, sections,

descriptions, calculations and give details of structural members, reinforcement

dimensions, and of the positions of the said structural members and

reinforcement, and such other information as the Central Authority may request,

before approval may be granted.

(7) The City Engineer shall, within twenty-eight days after the delivery to

him of any notice, plan, section or description of any work required by this Act,

or by any regulations made thereunder, to be submitted to him for approval,

signify in writing his approval or disapproval of the intended work to the person

proposing to execute it.




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13. Every person who intends to erect or alter any building or otherwise

to execute any work to which any of the regulations contained in or made

under this Act relating to new buildings may apply, shall, before beginning to

erect such buildings or to execute such work, deliver or send to the City Engineer

at his office a notice in writing in which shall be specified the date on which

such person will begin to erect such building or to execute such work.

14.-(1) Where a person who erects or alters a building or executes any other

work to which any building regulations contained in or made under this Act

may apply, at any reasonable time during the progress or after the completion

of the erection of such building or of the execution of such work, receives from

the City Engineer notice in writing specifying any matters in respect of which

the erection of such building or the execution of such work may be in

contravention of any such regulations and requiring such person within a

reasonable time, which shall be specified in the notice, to cause anything done

contrary to any such regulations to be amended or to do anything which by

any such regulations may be required to be done but which has been omitted

to be done, such person shall, within the time specified in the notice, comply

with the several requirements thereof so far as such requirements relate to

matters in respect of which the erection of such building or the execution of

such work may be in contravention of this Act or any such regulations.

(2) Such person shall, within a reasonable time after the completion of

such requirements, deliver or send to the City Engineer at his office notice in

writing of the completion of the work, and shall, at all reasonable times after

such notice shall have been so delivered or sent, afford the City Engineer and

his duly authorised assistants free access to such work for the purpose of

inspection.

(3) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall

be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five

hundred dollars.

Notice of day on

which work will

commence.

Contravention of

regulations, or of

notice given by

City Engiineer.



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15. Every person who erects or alters a building or executes any other

work to which any building regulations contained in or made under this Act shall

apply, shall, at all reasonable times during the erection of such building or the

execution of such work, afford the City Engineer and his duly authorised

assistants free access to such building or work for the purpose of inspection.

16. Every person who erects or alters any building shall, within fourteen

days after the completion of the erection of such building, deliver or send to the

City Engineer at his office notice in writing of the completion of the erection or

alteration of such building, and shall, at all reasonable times within fourteen days

after such notice, and before such building shall be occupied, afford the City

Engineer and his duly authorised assistants free access to every part of such

building for the purpose of inspection.

17. Any person who-

(a) erects or begins to erect or alters any building without giving

the notice or without delivering the plans and sections required

to be given and delivered by this Act or any regulations made

thereunder; or

(b) erects any new building contrary to the provisions of this Act or

any regulations made thereunder; or

(c) alters any building without having the plans thereof approved

by the Central Authority; or

(d) erects any new building or alters any building in any way

contrary to the plans and sections which have been approved

by the Central Authority,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of two hundred and

fifty dollars for each offence, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further

fine of fifty dollars for every day during which such offence continues after

Access to works

by City Engineer.

Notice of

completion of

building.

Penalty for

breach of

regulations with

respect to new

buildings.




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[ ]

notice thereof from the Central Authority.

18. The owner as well as the builder shall each be liable for any act, matter,

or thing done or omitted to be done in contravention of any of the provisions

of this Act or of any regulations in force relating to new buildings:

Provided that this enactment shall not prejudice any remedy of an owner

or other person against the builder.

19. All notices or orders under this Act or under any regulations for the

time being in force relating to new buildings shall be sufficiently authenticated if

signed by the City Engineer, or by any officer duly authorised in that behalf by

the Central Authority.

20. All notices served by the Central Authority or the City Engineer on the

builder shall be as valid and binding against the owner by whom such builder is

employed as if such notice had been served on such owner.

21.-(1) Where any person thinks himself aggrieved by any order or requirement

of the Central Authority under this Act or under any regulations relating to new

buildings for the time being in force, such person may, within seven days after

the service of such order or requirement, appeal to a magistrate, and the

magistrate may confirm or vary the order or requirement, and may make such

order in the matter as to him may seem proper.

(2) If the person on whom such order is made does not comply with it he

shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable, for every such offence, to

a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars, and to a further fine of fifty dollars for

every day during which such non-compliance shall continue.

22. Where any person thinks himself aggrieved by any order, determination

or conviction of the magistrate under this Act, such person may appeal

therefrom to the Supreme Court in the manner provided by the Supreme Court

of Judicature Act, for appeals from decisions of an Inferior Court.

Owner and builder

liable for

contravention of

regulations.

Authentication of

notices, etc.

Notice served on

builder to be

binding on owner.

Appeal by person

aggrieved.

Appeal to

Supreme Court.

CAP. 91.



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PART IV

Public Buildings

23. Every person who erects or owns a public building shall cause it to be

examined at least once every two years by a competent engineer for the purpose

of ascertaining whether it is safe for the purpose for which it was erected and he

shall deposit with the City Engineer a report of that competent engineer upon

the condition of the building at least once every two years from the time when it

was first used as such.

24. The City Engineer, and any other person authorised in writing by him

on behalf of the Central Authority, may at all reasonable times after the completion

of any public building, and at all times during which any building is used as a

public building, enter and inspect it for the purpose of ascertaining whether

such building is in conformity with the provisions of this Act or any regulations

made by the Central Authority with regard to public buildings.

25.-(1) No person shall use any public building or let or allow it to be used as

such unless and until the Central Authority, by notice in writing addressed to the

owner thereof, have declared their approval of the construction thereof, and of

its suitability for the purpose for which it is proposed to be used.

(2) After the Central Authority have declared their approval, no person

shall do or allow to be done any work affecting or likely to affect such building

without the approval of the Central Authority.

(3) Any person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and on

conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.

26. Where it is proposed to convert or alter any building, erected for a

purpose other than a public purpose, into a public building, such conversion or

alteration shall be carried out, and such building shall be constructed, in such

manner as is approved by the City Engineer and the provisions of this Act and

Public building -

precautions and

examination for

safety of the

public.

Engineer may

enter and

inspect.

Public building

not to be used

until approved.

Conversion into

a public building

of building

erected for other

purpose.




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[ ]

of any regulations made by the Central Authority applicable to public buildings

shall apply to such alteration or construction, as if it were the construction of a

public building.

27.-(1) Whenever it appears to the Central Authority that any building in Belize

City used as a public building is not so constructed or maintained as to afford

necessary protection to all persons who resort thereto, the Central Authority

may, by notice in writing, require the owner of such building, within a reasonable

time to be specified in the notice, to make such alterations, therein or thereto

as shall be approved by the Central Authority.

(2) If the owner fails to comply with the requirements of the notice within

the prescribed time, he shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be

liable to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars, and to a further fine of fifty

dollars for every day after the first day, after the expiration of such reasonable

time as may be specified under subsection (1), during which such default

continues.

(3) The Central Authority may, in lieu of such notice, or concurrently

therewith, or at any time thereafter, and without prejudice to the recovery of

penalties for the non-compliance therewith, by notice in writing served upon

the owner of such building, require the owner, on or before a date to be

specified in the notice, by statement in writing under his hand addressed to the

Central Authority, to show cause why the building should not cease to be used

as a public building, or require such person, on such date and at such time and

place as is specified in such notice, to attend personally or by an agent duly

authorised in writing in that behalf before the Central Authority, and show

sufficient cause why such building should not cease to be used as a public

building.

(4) If the owner fails to show sufficient cause why the building should not

cease to be used as a public building, the Central Authority may, by order

addressed to the owner thereof, prohibit the use of such building as a public

building.

Central Authority

may require

alterations

necessary for

safety of public.



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(5) Every person who, after notice of a prohibition order issued by the

Central Authority under this section, uses or allows or suffers such building to

be used as a public building, shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction

liable to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars for every day during which he

allows or suffers it to be used, or during which he uses it, as the case may be,

after the notice of prohibition.

PART V

Verandahs, Balconies, Sunshades, Etc.

28. No person shall put up any verandah, balcony, sunshade, weather-

frame, or the like, so as to project over any street or public place, except with

the permission of the City Council, and if permission is given, then under and

subject to such terms and conditions as are prescribed therein:

Provided that in no case shall any such verandah, balcony, sunshade,

weather-frame, or the like projection, be supported on pillars resting on the

street.

29. No person shall make any door, window, or gate in such manner as to

open over a public thoroughfare, or project any doorstep or landing into or

across any public footpath, or extend or affix any sunshade, signboard, lamp,

grating, gutter, or other unauthorised projection from any building in such manner

as causes obstruction, danger or annoyance in any street or to passengers

thereon or so as to cause encroachment on or over any street:

Provided that in the case of theatres and other public buildings the doors

may, with the consent of the City Council, be made to open outwards over a

public thoroughfare:

Provided further, that, with respect to all buildings, the mouldings, cornices,

or other architectural embellishments and eave gutters may project over a street

above ground floor level to an extent not exceeding eighteen inches.

Verandahs, etc.,

projecting over

street.

Doors not to

open over

thoroughfare.




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[ ]

PART VI

Dangerous Building

30.-(1) Whenever any structure abutting on any street in Belize City is

considered by the City Engineer to be dangerous to passengers along such

street, the City Engineer shall give notice in writing to the owner of that structure

requiring him forthwith to take down, secure, or repair it, as the case may

require, within a time to be specified in such notice.

(2) Where any structure within Belize City is considered by the City

Engineer to be unable to withstand a hurricane or to be ruinous or so far

dilapidated as to have become unfit for use or occupation, or to be from any

cause whatever in a structural condition dangerous or prejudicial to the property

in, or the inhabitants of, the neighbourhood, the City Engineer may give notice

in writing to the owner of such structure requiring him within fourteen days of

the service of the notice, to take down, secure, repair or rebuild it, or any part

thereof, or to fence in the ground on which such structure stands, or otherwise

to put it in a state of good repair, as the case may require, to the satisfaction of

the City Engineer, within a time to be specified in the notice.

(3) Whenever it is made known to the Central Authority that any internal

part of any building, including any wall, partition, or ceiling of any building, is in

a state dangerous or prejudicial to any occupier of such building or of any

neighbouring building, the Central Authority shall cause it to be surveyed and

examined by the City Engineer, and if the City Engineer is satisfied, upon such

survey and examination, that the structure is in a state dangerous or prejudicial

to any such occupier, he shall serve a notice in writing on the owner of the

structure requiring him forthwith to have it shored up, taken down, secured,

repaired, or rebuilt, as the case may require, to the satisfaction of the City

Engineer, within a time to be specified in such notice.

Dangerous

building- notice to

owner.



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21

(4) If the owner fails within the time specified in any such notice served

upon him under subsections (1), (2) or (3), to comply with the requirements of

the notice, the Central Authority, or any person authorised by them in writing,

may make complaint thereof before a magistrate, and the magistrate may order

the owner to carry out the requirements of the notice within a time to be fixed

by him in such order.

(5) If the order is not complied with within the time therein prescribed, the

person on whom such order is made shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction

liable to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars, and to a further fine of fifty

dollars for every day during the continuance of such non-compliance; and the

Central Authority may, without prejudice to their right to recover such fines,

with all convenient speed enter upon the structure and the ground upon which it

stands, and execute the order.

(6) When the order directs the taking down of a neglected structure or any

part thereof, the Central Authority, in executing the order, may remove the

materials to a convenient place, and (unless the expenses incurred by the Central

Authority under this section in relation to such structure are paid to them within

fourteen days after such removal) sell it or any part thereof as in their discretion

they think fit.

(7) All expenses incurred by the Central Authority under this section in

relation to a structure may be deducted by the Central Authority out of the

proceeds of the sale, and the surplus, if any, shall be paid by the Central Authority

to the owner of the structure on demand and upon proof of title; or the Central

Authority may, if they think fit, pay such surplus into the Supreme Court to an

account to be entitled “in the matter of the Belize City Building Act, Chapter

131, and of the premises No. (insert full address) the materials of which were

sold under the provisions of the Belize City Building Act, Chapter 131.”

(8) The Supreme Court or any judge thereof may, on the petition of any

person entitled or claiming to be entitled to such money or any part thereof,

make order for the payment of the money or any part thereof to the person or




No. 1 Power Lane,



22

[ ]

persons entitled thereto.

(9) If such structure or any part thereof is not taken down, and the

materials are not sold by the Central Authority, or if the proceeds of the sale

are insufficient to defray the expenses, the Central Authority may recover such

expenses or such insufficiency from the owner of the structure together with all

costs in respect thereof in a summary manner, but without prejudice to their

right to recover them from any lessors or other person liable for the expenses

of repairs.

(10) For the purposes of this section, the expression “structure” includes

any building, or any part thereof, and any wall or fence or any other structure

whatever, and anything fixed to or projecting from any building or any wall or

fence or other structure.

PART VII

Notice of Intention to Remove Buildings

31.-(1) No person shall pull down or remove any building from the site on

which it stands unless he shall, not more than fourteen days and not less than

two days before such removal, have given to the City Council notice in writing

of his intention to pull down or remove such building.

(2) The notice to be given under this section may be according to Form A

in the First Schedule, or in such other form as may hereafter from time to time

be prescribed by the City Council.

(3) The owner of the land from which any house is removed, shall, within

seven days after such removal, notify the City Council, and shall, within the

same period of time, send in to the City Administrator, a return of ownership in

respect of the land on which the house formerly stood.

Building not to be

pulled down or

removed except

after notice to

City Council

First Schedule.

Form A.

Rate previously

paid may be taken

into account.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

23

(4) The notice to be given by such owner shall be according to Form B in

the First Schedule.

(5) Every owner of any land who fails or neglects to give such notice within

the time prescribed by this section shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction,

liable to a fine of fifty dollars.

32.-(1) Every person who pulls down or removes any building from its site,

and any owner of any building who causes, permits or suffers any building to be

removed from such site, without having first given the notice prescribed by

section 31, shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine of one

hundred dollars.

(2) Every building pulled down or removed in contravention of this section

shall be deemed to have been pulled down or removed by the owner of the

building.

33.-(1) No person shall remove any building from the site on which it stands

unless and until all rates and charges due to the City Council in respect of the

rateable hereditament whereof such building forms part are paid.

(2) Every person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence

and on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars.

(3) Where such building is re-erected on some other site, the City Council

may in assessing it for the current house rate year, take into account the rate

paid by the owner of such building before its removal from its original site.

34. Any person who wilfully obstructs any person acting in execution of

this Act or any regulations, order or warrant issued thereunder is guilty of an

offence and is on conviction liable-

(a) in the case of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one

hundred dollars;

First Schedule.

Form B.

Penalty for

removing or

pulling down

building without

notice.

Payment of rates

before removal

of building.

Penalty for

obstruction.




No. 1 Power Lane,



24

[ ]

(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not

exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.

35.-(1) All offences under this Act or any regulations made thereunder shall

be summary conviction offences and all forfeitures, penalties, costs and expenses

shall be recoverable in the manner provided by the Summary Jurisdiction Acts.

(2) All such penalties, forfeitures, costs and expenses shall be credited

to the account of the City Council for the Council’s use.

36. This Act, and any regulations made thereunder, shall apply only to

Belize City as defined in any subsidiary legislation for the time being in force.

FIRST SCHEDULE

[Section 31]

Form A

Removal of House-Notice by Owner of Land

TO the City Council:

I, the undersigned, the owner of the house now numbered and assessed

as No. , Street, standing on lands belonging to do

hereby give notice that I intend at the expiration of two clear days from the

date hereof, to remove (or pull down, as the case may be) the said house from

its present site, No. , Street.

Signature:

Address:

Recovery of

penalties.

CAP. 98.

CAP. 99.

Application.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

25

Form B

Removal of House-Notice by Owner of Land

To the City Council:

I, the undersigned, the owner of the land on which stood the house heretofore

numbered and assessed as No. , Street,

hereby notify you that the said house was removed from my said land on or

about the day of , 20 .

Signature:

Address:

SECOND SCHEDULE

[Section 4]

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Belize City Building Regulations.

2.-(1) Every person intending to execute any building operations or to cause

the same to be executed shall, where any thoroughfare will be obstructed or

rendered inconvenient by means of such operations-

(a) before commencing the same, unless the City Council other-

wise consents in writing, cause sufficient closeboarded boards

or fences to the satisfaction of the City Council, to be put up

in order to separate the building where such operations are to

be carried on from the thoroughfare;

(b) if the City Council so requires, make a convenient platform

and handrail to serve as a footway for passengers outside of

such board or fence;

Short title.

Erection of

boards or fences

in certain cases.




No. 1 Power Lane,



26

[ ]

(c) continue such board or fence with such platform and handrail

as aforesaid standing and in good condition to the satisfaction

of the City Council during such time as he may be required by

the City Council to do so;

(d) cause the same to be sufficiently lighted every night from sunset

of the one day to sunrise of the next succeeding day;

(e) remove the same when required by the City Council.

(2) No person shall put up any board or fence in such a way as to

obstruct or impede the surface drainage over or through any thoroughfare.

(3) It shall not be lawful for any person to place any materials, rubbish or

other thing upon, or to make any hole in, a thoroughfare without the consent in

writing of the City Council, and the person causing any materials, rubbish or

other thing to be laid upon, or any hole to be made in, a thoroughfare with the

consent of the City Council shall, at his own expense, cause a sufficient light to

be fixed in a proper place upon or near the same and continue such light every

night from sunset of the one day to sunrise of the next succeeding day while

such materials, rubbish or other thing or hole remain, and he shall also at his

own expense, cause such materials, rubbish or other thing and such hole to be

sufficiently fenced and enclosed, until they are removed or the hole filled in or

otherwise made secure.

(4) The City Council may require any person who has placed any building

materials, rubbish or other thing on, or made any hole in, a thoroughfare with

his consent to remove or fill in the same, as the case may be, and that person

shall comply with the requirement of the City Council within a reasonable time.

(5) In this regulation “thoroughfare” means any parapet, pavement, drain,

street, alleyway or other place in Belize City maintained by or under the control

of the City Council.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

27

(6) Every person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this

regulation shall be guilty of an offence against these regulations and shall be

liable on conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

3. Every person who commences building operations shall complete them

within twelve months after the commencement thereof, unless that period has

been extended by the Central Authority for good cause shown.

4. Where the Central Authority dispense with the observance of any of

these regulations, they shall set out in writing, in detail, the regulations the

observance of which have been dispensed with and the terms and conditions, if

any, which have been prescribed in lieu thereof.

Open Spaces about Buildings and Ventilation of Buildings

5. No new buildings or alteration or addition to an existing building or

other construction shall be so erected or made on any lot so that any portion of

the new building or of the alteration or addition to any existing building or other

construction shall stand or be less than ten feet from either of the side lines or

the back boundary line of the lot on which the new building is erected or the

existing building stands:

Provided that where it is proposed to erect the new building or to make the

alteration, addition or other construction on two or more contiguous lots in the

ownership or possession of any one person, the Central Authority may by writing

dispense with compliance with this regulation in so far as only the common

boundary line between those contiguous lots is concerned:

Provided further that where it is proposed to erect a new building or

alteration or addition to an existing building or other construction on a corner or

island lot, the Central Authority may by writing dispense with compliance with

this regulation in so far as the side lines are concerned.

Building

operations to be

completed

within twelve

months.

Dispensation

with regulations.

Distances

between

buildings and

side or back

boundary lines.




No. 1 Power Lane,



28

[ ]

6. No new building or alteration or addition to an existing building or

other construction shall be so erected or made on any lot so that any portion

of the new building or the alteration or addition to an existing building or other

construction shall stand or be less than ten feet from any part of any other

building on the same lot.

7. No new building either alone or taken in conjunction with any existing

building shall cover more than two-thirds of the superficial area of the lot on

which it is erected.

Foundations

8. The foundations of every building shall be so constructed as to sustain

the dead load of the building as well as the superimposed load and forces due

to hurricane determined in accordance with the provisions set out in the

Schedule to these Regulations, and to transmit these loads to the subsoil in

such a manner that the pressure on the subsoil shall not cause any settlement of

the building or any part of the building which may impair its stability.

9.-(1) Every structural wall (including a pier forming part of the wall) shall

rest upon-

(a) a layer of cement concrete of sufficient width and thickness;

or

(b) proper footings of sufficient width built directly on suitable

ground; or

(c) proper footings built on a layer of cement concrete of sufficient

width and thickness; or

(d) a sufficient raft of cement concrete properly constructed and

where necessary suitably reinforced; or

Distance between

buildings on lots.

New buildings not

to cover more than

two-thirds of lot.

Foundations of

buildings.

Schedule.

Foundations of

structural wall,

pier, and timber

posts.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

29

(e) a layer of cement concrete of sufficient width and thickness

on suitable piles driven to a proper depth; or

(f) a beam or girder of sufficient strength; or

(g) some other not less sufficient sub-structure as foundation.

(2) A pier which does not form part of a wall shall rest upon one of the

foundations specified in the preceding paragraph.

10.-(1) Timber posts supporting a building shall be firmly anchored with wrought

iron straps or mild steel cleats and holding down bolts to one of the foundations

specified in paragraph (1) of regulation 9 and to the satisfaction of the City

Engineer.

(2) A building which is supported on timber posts shall not provide for a

greater height between the ground and soffit of the lowest beam in such a building

than ten feet. No timber posts shall be spaced at a greater distance apart than

ten feet from centre to centre and the minimum sectional area of such post shall

be six inches by six inches.

(3) For the purposes of the following sub-paragraph the height of wall

framing shall be taken as from the soffit of the main sill to the top of the head of

the wall framing-

(a) if the building does not exceed fifteen feet in height nor consist

of more than one storey, then the supporting posts shall not be

less than six inches by six inches;

(b) if the building exceeds fifteen feet, but does not exceed twenty

feet in height nor consist of more than two storeys, then the

supporting posts shall be not less than eight inches by eight

inches;

Third supporting

posts.




No. 1 Power Lane,



30

[ ]

(c) if the building exceeds twenty feet but does not exceed twenty-

six feet in height nor consist of more than three storeys, then

the supporting posts shall not be less than ten inches by ten

inches;

(d) in every case where a room, with floor, is formed in the roof-

space, an extra storey shall be deemed to be added to the

building and the next heavier section of supporting post shall

be used.

(4) Bracing for supporting posts shall be of adequate size and shall be

constructed in such a manner, and in such number, as may be approved by the

City Engineer.

11. The area of every foundation shall be such that the superimposed

load on the soil per square foot, shall not exceed the following-

For filled ground ................................. 5 cwt.

For sand ridge .................................. 10 cwt.

For firm rock ground .......................... 2-4 tons,

or according to any loading tests carried out:

Provided that in swampy areas the foundations shall be constructed on

piles to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

12. In regulations 8 to 11-

(a) “dead load” means the weight of all walls, floors, roofs,

partitions and other like permanent construction;

(b) “superimposed load” means the weight of all loads other than

the “dead load”.

Ground bearing

pressures.

Interpretation.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

31

13. Mixes of concrete for various purposes shall be by weight as

follows-

Portland

Cement Sand Aggregate

(a) Mass fillings .......................... 1 5 10

Mass foundations .................. 1 3 6

Foundation and surface

beds ................................... 1 2 1/2 5

Reinforced work ................... 1 2 4

Special reinforced work

or vibrated precast

work .................................. 1 1 1/2 3

Very special reinforced

work .................................. 1 1 2

(b) water/cement ratio by weight in all cases, except vibrated

concrete, shall not exceed 0.6;

(c) vibrated concrete water/cement ratio shall not exceed 0.5:

Provided that where any doubt exists as to the quality of the mix, standard

slump tests shall be carried out on the site, the resultant slump after the cone is

removed being not in excess of 4 inches.

14.-(1) A damp-proof material such as bituminus felt, sheet lead or slate shall

be introduced at the seating of all timber posts or sills on masonry.

(2) Where a dwarf masonry wall is provided on which timber framing is

superimposed, the lower sill of the latter shall be properly bedded in cement

and sand mortar, mixed four parts of sand to one part of cement and secured to

the masonry with suitable holding-down bolts of an approved size and spaced

at intervals not exceeding six feet centre to centre, and comply with the require-

ments at (1) above.

Damp-proof

course and sill

on dwarf wall

requirements.

Concrete mixes.




No. 1 Power Lane,



32

[ ]

15. The following shall be dimensions of dwarf walls carrying a timber

frame building-

(a) if a wall is built of brick, and does not exceed thirty feet in

length, it shall be nine inches thick, if it exceeds thirty feet in

length, it shall be thirteen and one half inches thick. The

increased thickness may be confined to properly distributed

piers, the collective widths of which shall be equal to one-

fourth part of the total length of the wall;

(b) if, to provide against shear due to wind pressure on supporting

posts and wall, or if wall is constructed of concrete, it shall be

reinforced according to British Standard Specifications and,

if it does not exceed thirty feet in length, shall be six inches

thick. If it exceeds thirty feet in length it shall be nine inches

thick;

(c) if a wall is built of concrete blocks, a layer of reinforcing mesh

of suitable size shall be inserted in every fifth course, and in

every case, all block voids to corners of building and window

surrounds shall be filled with fine concrete and vertical re-

inforcement bars of a suitable size shall be inserted for the full

height of the blockwork.

Timber Framed Buildings

16. All timber used in the framework of the walls, roof and floors of a new

building shall be of hard wood, pitch pine or other wood of a type and quality

approved by the City Engineer, the moisture content of which shall not exceed

twenty-two per cent.

17. The joints between the vertical and horizontal members of the

framework of the walls of buildings shall be securely put and held together

with mortise and tenon joints or some other approved carpentry joint and any

Dwarf walls

carrying timber

framed buildings.

Timber framed

buildings.

Joints between

framework

members.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

33

sill or wall-plate shall be checked into and securely bolted to the uprights in

such manner as may be approved by the City Engineer. Corner posts, posts

supporting roof trusses, and uprights at door openings, shall be deemed to be

uprights for the purpose of this regulation.

18.-(1) The braces in the framework of the walls of every building shall be of

adequate size and shall be constructed in such a manner as may be approved

by the City Engineer.

(2) In coastal areas where a building is twenty feet high or over, the City

Engineer may require special hurricane bracing to be fixed on two opposite

walls, at an approved angle from a point near the eaves of the building to the

ground outside.

Roofs

19. Every person who erects a new building shall construct the roof thereof

in accordance with the following provisions-

(a) all pitched roofs with rafters shall be tied with tie-beams or

collar-beams or ceiling joists, the number of which shall depend

on the span of the roof as follows-

(i) when the roof is under ten feet span, the number of

tie-beams, collar-beams or ceiling joists shall not be

less than one in every third pair of rafters;

(ii) when the roof is over ten feet and not over fifteen feet

span, the number of tie-beams, collar-beams or ceiling

joists shall not be less than one in every alternate pair

of rafters;

(iii) when the roof is over fifteen feet and not over twenty

feet span, the number of tie-beams, collar-beams or

Braces.

Construction of

roofs.




No. 1 Power Lane,



34

[ ]

ceiling joists shall not be less than one in every pair of

rafters;

(b) the underside of any collar-beam shall in no case be higher

above the wall plate than half the vertical height from the wall

plate to the ridge;

(c) rafters shall be spaced at no greater distance apart than two-

feet six inches centre to centre, except where, special designs

of roofing sheeting necessitates other dimensions;

(d) all roofs over twenty feet span shall be of a design approved

by the City Engineer.

20.-(1) The roof of every building, and every turret, dormer, lantern light,

skylight or other erection placed thereon, but excluding the doors, door frames,

windows and window frames thereof and any wooden cornice or barge board

not exceeding twelve inches in depth, shall be externally covered with bituminous

felt, tile, metal of not less than No. 24 gauge, or other incombustible material

approved by the City Engineer and fixed to his satisfaction.

(2) The City Engineer may by notice in writing require any person who

covers a roof contrary to these Regulations to remove the covering and that

person shall comply with that notice within fourteen days after the service

thereof upon him.

(3) Every person who fails to comply with any such written notice shall be

guilty of an offence against these Regulations and shall be liable to a fine not

exceeding one hundred dollars.

21.-(1) Except where a ceiling is provided, the underside of the roof of every

inhabited room shall be close-boarded.

Covering of roofs.

Underside of roof

to be ceiled or

close-boarded.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

35

(2) In this regulation “inhabited room” means a room in which some person

passes the night or which is used as a living room and the presence of any article

of domestic furnishings in a room shall raise the presumption, until the contrary

is proved, that some person passes the night therein or that it is used as a living

room.

22. Every new building shall be provided with gutters and down pipes

sufficient to carry off all the rain water from the main or other roof thereof into

water containers or surface drains, and sufficient pipes to carry off the surplus

water from such containers into surface drains shall be provided.

23. The down pipes for conveying water into surface drains shall extend

to within 6 inches of the bottom of such drains.

24. All gutters and pipes attached to any roof shall be made of galvanised

sheet or other metal or incombustible material approved by the Central Authority

and shall be constructed and erected to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

25. Every person who erects a new building shall construct the floor thereof

in accordance with the following provisions-

(a) no person shall place the underside of the lowest floor of a

building at such a level as to render it liable to flooding, or

construct any building on any site which cannot be properly

drained to the satisfaction of the City Engineer;

(b) the ground floor if formed of cement or concrete shall be laid

to finish at a height of not less than 6 inches above the road

level;

(c) if wood finish on top of concrete is required, wooden battens

suitably set into the concrete shall be laid, and a recognised

damp-proof material shall be laid on the concrete between

Definition of

“inhabited

room”

Disposal of rain

water from roofs.

Distance of

down pipe from

surface drain.

Gutters and

pipes to be of

metal or

incombustible

material.

Construction of

floors.




No. 1 Power Lane,



36

[ ]

battens, before the flooring is laid;

(d) if the ground floor is constructed of wood, the ground shall be

first cleared of all vegetable matter and a two inch layer of

concrete spread over the whole area which is to be covered.

A height of not less than 12 inches between the concrete and

the underside of floor joists shall be provided for ventilation.

That space shall be closed in by a continuous brick or concrete

dwarf wall taken below ground level with no openings in the

same other than screened ventilation grills, so that the space

provided for ventilation purposes shall be rat or vermin proof;

(e) if the space below the floor is not enclosed as provided for in

the preceding paragraph, then the height between the underside

of the joist and the ground shall not be less than 3 feet, and

such space shall not be used for storing materials to the extent

of preventing easy access to the space under the floor;

(f) no timber other than driven piles kept below the water table,

shall be allowed below ground level in permanent or semi-

permanent buildings;

(g) all wooden floors shall be properly grooved and tongued or

otherwise so jointed as to be reasonably water tight;

(h) the ground floor of every new building used or intended to be

used for the manufacture, or for the storage, of any articles

intended for the food of man shall be constructed of cement

concrete not less than 4 inches in thickness, or of such other

impermeable material as the Central Authority may approve;

(i) the floors of all buildings shall be constructed to bear safely

the maximum load to be carried, and the superimposed loading

of floors shall be computed in accordance with the table,



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

37

headed, “Superimposed floor loads” in the Schedule to these

Regulations.

Staircases

26. Every person who erects a new building shall construct all staircases

connected thereto in accordance with the following provisions-

(a) the treads shall be not less than nine inches in width measured

horizontally from face of riser to face of riser, and the riser

shall not be more than eight inches in height measured vertically

from top of tread to top of tread. For easy stepping, the

following rule will determine suitable dimensions, namely, that

the produce of the tread and riser should equal 66. Thus with

a six inch riser 66/6 = 11 inch tread. The number of risers in

a flight shall not exceed fourteen in number. If the floor heights

necessitate more than fourteen risers then a landing shall be

provided;

(b) staircases shall not be less than two feet eight inches in width

when used in a domestic building, nor less than four feet six

inches in width when used in a public building;

(c) every staircase shall be provided with proper and sufficient

handrails, which shall be securely fixed.

Kitchens

27. Every new building to be used as a dwelling-house shall be provided

with a kitchen which may be under-

(a) a separate roof from that of the main building; or

Schedule.

Erection of

staircases.

Kitchens to be

provided.




No. 1 Power Lane,



38

[ ]

(b) such part of the building as may be approved by the Central

Authority, but so that no kitchen shall be constructed under

or over any dwelling-house.

28. Every chimney attached to a kitchen shall be made of non inflammable

material, and of such height and width as not to be a danger or as not to cause

a nuisance by smoke to any person residing in the neighbourhood.

29. Wherever a brick oven is constructed a brick chimney shall be erected

and connected thereto in such a manner as to ventilate the oven adequately

and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

30. The portion of the floor of every kitchen on which any fire-place or

stove is erected or placed as well as the wall on all sides from the floor to a

point at least two feet above such fire-place or stove, shall be lined with concrete,

stone, tile, galvanised iron, brick, or other incombustible material.

31. If a kitchen is attached to a dwelling-house or other building, the outer

sides and end of such kitchen shall be constructed of stone or lined with tile,

brick, metal or other incombustible material.

32. The kitchen of every self-contained dwelling-house shall be provided

with a sink discharging over a gully-trap connected to the sewerage system, or

discharging direct into a properly constructed soakpit as may be approved by

the City Engineer.

Buildings for Dangerous Trades, etc.

33.-(1) No person shall erect, operate, establish or carry on any laboratory,

workshop, factory, foundry, smelting house, boat-building establishment,

distillery, furnace, engine, electric motor or other machine, not being an appliance

used exclusively for domestic purposes, without the permission of the Central

Authority and every person who contravenes this regulation shall be guilty of

Height of

chimney.

Brick oven to

have brick

chimney.

Floors to kitchen.

Kitchens attached

to buildings.

Sinks to be

provided in

kitchens of self-

contained

dwelling houses.

Buildings for

factories and

dangerous trades.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

39

an offence against these Regulations and liable to a fine not exceeding one

hundred dollars.

(2) This regulation shall not apply to any laboratory, work-shop, factory,

foundry, smelting house, boat-building establishment, distillery, furnace, engine,

electric motor or other machine already erected, operated or carried on with

the permission of the Central Authority.

(3) The Central Authority may for any cause it considers reasonable, cancel

or suspend any permission given under paragraph (1) of this regulation or prior

to the coming into force of these Regulations, if after due enquiry into the

conditions under which any laboratory, workshop, factory, foundry, smelting

house, boat-building establishment, distillery, furnace, engine, electric motor or

other machine is operated or carried on, the Central Authority is of the opinion

that such permission ought to be cancelled or suspended:

Provided that the Central Authority may, instead of cancelling or suspending

any such permission require the person to whom it was given to make such

alterations or modifications to the laboratory, workshop, factory, foundry,

smelting house, boat-building establishment, distillery, furnace, engine, electric

motor or other machine as the Central Authority may think fit.

(4) Every person who erects, operates, or establishes any laboratory,

workshop, factory, foundry, smelting house, boat building establishment, distillery,

furnace, engine, electric motor or other machine in contravention of this regulation

shall take down and remove the same within fourteen days after the service

upon him of a notice by the City Engineer requiring that to be done, and if he

fails so to do, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten dollars for every

day whereon his failure continues after a notice of such failure has been served

by the Central Authority on him.




No. 1 Power Lane,



40

[ ]

Stables

34.-(1) No person shall build a stable within twenty feet of any building which

is occupied as a dwelling-house, shop, office, or kitchen whether such building

be on the same lot or not.

(2) Every person who shall erect a stable shall cause the roof to be covered

with some incombustible material.

(3) Every person who erects such a stable in contravention of this regulation

shall take down and remove the same within fourteen days after the service

upon him of a notice by the Central Authority requiring that to be done, and if

he fails to do so, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a penalty

of ten dollars for every day wherein his failure continues after a notice of such

failure has been served on him by the Central Authority.

Drainage

35.-(1) Every building provided with a flush water closet shall, unless other

means for disposal of sewage are submitted to the Central Authority and

approved, be provided with a septic tank, which shall meet with the approval

of the Central Authority.

(2) A plan of all cesspools and septic tanks shall first be submitted to the

Central Authority for its approval, and such approval shall be obtained from

the Central Authority in writing before any such cesspool or septic tank shall

be constructed.

(3) Every cesspool or septic tank shall, during construction and after

completion, be inspected, and approval shall be given in writing by the Central

Authority or any person so authorised by them, before the cesspool or septic

tank is sealed.

Restriction on

siting of stables.

Cesspools and

septic tanks.



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

41

(4) Every cesspool or septic tank shall be constructed in such a way that

the overflow or effluent pipe shall not discharge or overflow into any gutter or

open drain, but shall discharge or overflow into a properly constructed soakpit

which shall have been approved by the City Engineer or any person appointed

by him.

Privy Accommodation

36. The privy accommodation shall comply with the requirements of the

Privy Accommodation Bye-Laws, 1939, or any other rules or regulations by

which they may subsequently be replaced.

Water Supply

37. A water supply shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of

sections 61 to 64 of the Public Health Act.

General

38. All notices required by these Regulations to be given by the Central

Authority or the City Engineer to an owner, builder or other person may be

given by serving the same at his last and more usual place of abode.

Privy

accommodation.

S.R. & O. 40/39.

Water supply.

CAP. 40.

R.E., 87.

Service of

notices.




No. 1 Power Lane,



42

[ ]

SCHEDULE

[Regulation 8]

Superimposed Floor Loads

Superimposed floor loads comprise all floor loads other than dead loads. The

design loads for basic floor space occupancies are given in the following table.

They are equivalent uniformly distributed static loads in pounds per square

foot of plan area, and they provide for normal effects of impact and

acceleration-

Pounds per

Class Descriptions sq. ft. of

floor area

1. Floors in dwelling-houses of not more than two

storeys designed for one occupation ... ... ... ... 30

2. Floors (other than those of Class 1) for

residential purposes including tenements,

hospital wards, bedrooms and private sitting

rooms in hotels and dormitories ... ... ... ... ... 40

3. Office floors above the entrance floor; floors of

light work-room without storage ... ... ... ... ... 50

4. Banking halls; office ground floors and office

floors below entrance floor and floors of class-

rooms in schools ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 60

5. Floors for the display and sale of merchandise;

workrooms generally garages for vehicles not

exceeding 2 1/2 tons gross weight; places of

assembly with fixed seating; churches and chapels,

restaurants and circulation space in machinery halls,

power stations, etc., where not occupied by plant

or equipment ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... .... 80



No. 1 Power Lane,




[ ]

43

6. Floors of warehouse, workshops, factories and

similar buildings or parts of building for lightweight

loads; office floors for storage and filing purposes

and places of assembly without fixed seating includ-

ing public rooms in hotels, dance halls, etc. ... 100


similar buildings or parts of building for medium-

weight loads; floors of garages for vehicles not

exceeding 4 tons gross weight ... ... ... ... ... ... 150


similar buildings or parts of buildings for heavy-

weight loads; floors of book stores and stationery

stores ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 200

If the superimposed load on any floor is to exceed that hereinbefore specified

for such floor, such greater load shall be provided for with an equivalent margin

of safety.

In the case of any floor intended to be used for the purpose for which a

superimposed load is not specified in these Regulations, the superimposed load

on such floor shall be provided for with equivalent margin of safety.

A superimposed load which may roll or move on wheels shall be calculated as

being equivalent to a static loading which exceeds the weight of the rolling or

moving load by not less than fifty per cent.

cap. 131 belize city building act

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