Title 29 — Public Planning and Development
25 chapters · 546 sections in this title.
29 V.I.C. § 309 Public housing projects; fire prevention
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Effective July 1, 1973, no public housing project of 30 units or more shall be undertaken in the Virgin Islands unless the plans therefor include plans and specifications for the installation of sufficient waterlines and fire hydrants within such housing project as shall be appro…
29 V.I.C. § 310 Applications to existing buildings
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General. After May 1, 1964, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to existing buildings except as follows:(1) If changes or alterations, costing in excess of 50 percent of the then value of the building, are made to an existing building, as determined by the Commissioner…
29 V.I.C. § 311 Adoption of other construction codes [Repealed]
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29 V.I.C. § 311 Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
29 V.I.C. § 312 Administration and enforcement
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(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and the decisions of the Board of Zoning, Subdivision and Building Appeals rendered on the subject matter of this chapter. (b) After notice and hearing, …
29 V.I.C. § 321 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(a) “Access” means the physical characteristics of a place which allows persons with functional limitations caused by impairments of sight, hearing, coordination or perception or persons with semiambulatory or non…
29 V.I.C. § 322 Executive order
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The Governor shall by executive order provide minimum requirements to facilitate the use of public buildings by physically disabled persons where traffic might reasonably be expected by such persons.
29 V.I.C. § 323 Construction of buildings after July 1, 1978
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(a) Any public building, the initial construction of which is commenced after July 1, 1978, shall be so designed and constructed as to provide reasonable means of ingress and egress by the physically disabled, with the exception of:(1) jails or other places of detention;(2) garag…
29 V.I.C. § 324 Access from parking facilities
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Any public building subject to the provisions of section 323 of this chapter, shall be so designed and constructed to allow physically disabled persons reasonable means of access from a parking lot, if any, ancillary to such building.
29 V.I.C. § 325 Lawsuit to require compliance
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The owner of any building who fails to meet the requirements of this section may be required to reconstruct the same by mandatory injunction in a court suit brought by any interested person. Such person shall be reimbursed, if successful, for all costs and disbursement plus each …
29 V.I.C. § 326 Buildings with public toilets
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(a) Every public building, except those enumerated in section 323(a)(1)–(5) of this title, the construction of which is commenced after July 1, 1978, on each floor that is accessible to disabled persons, including persons in wheelchairs, which has public toilets shall have:(1) al…
29 V.I.C. § 327 Remodeled buildings
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(a) As used in this section, “remodeling” means to substantially improve, alter, extend or otherwise change the structure of a building or change the location of exits, but shall not include maintenance, redecoration, reroofing or alteration of mechanical or electrical systems. (…
29 V.I.C. § 328 Historic properties
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The Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources shall exempt from the requirements of this chapter those historic buildings for which the access provisions would constitute a threat to the historic or architectural integrity of the property; provided, that alternative provisio…
29 V.I.C. § 329 Sidewalks
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All sidewalks constructed within the Virgin Islands shall be so designed and constructed as to allow physically disabled persons reasonable access thereto.
29 V.I.C. § 330 Title
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This chapter and the regulations issued pursuant to the authority hereinafter granted by this chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virgin Islands Housing Code.
29 V.I.C. § 331 General purposes, application
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(a) The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety, health and general welfare through the establishment and enforcement of minimum standards of occupancy, sanitation, light and ventilation, and safety to life and property incident to the use and occupancy of places of r…
29 V.I.C. § 332 Definitions
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Unless it is otherwise provided or the context requires a different construction, the following terms when used in this chapter shall have the meanings as herein defined: Apartment—A room or suite of rooms used or intended to be used as the home or residence of an individual, fam…
29 V.I.C. § 333 Standards of occupancy and maintenance of dwellings
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(a) After May 1, 1964, except as provided for in section 331(b)(2), (b)(3) and (b)(6) of this title, no person shall occupy as an owner or rent to another any building or part thereof for the purpose of living, sleeping, or cooking therein which does not comply in its design and …
29 V.I.C. § 334 Administration, enforcement, and appeals
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(a) Administration (1) This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.(2) The Executive Director, or his authorized representatives, may, for the purpose of performing their official duties imposed by this…
29 V.I.C. § 339 Short title
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This subchapter may be cited as The Virgin Islands Visitable Housing Design and Incentive Act.
29 V.I.C. § 340 Definitions
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(1) As used in this subchapter, the term—(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources or the Commissioner's designee.(2) “Department” means the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.(3) “Dwelling” means any building, structu…
29 V.I.C. § 341 Construction and applicability
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(a) This subchapter may not be construed as a requirement on any real property owner unless the tax incentives provided under section 344 are being claimed. (b) This subchapter applies to real property owners that after the effective date of this subchapter:(1) construct visitabl…
29 V.I.C. § 342 Visitability Certification Program
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Subject to appropriation the Department shall establish a Visitability Certification Program. Through the program, the Department shall provide a single point of contact for each territorial district, for any person wishing to submit an application for a Visitability Certificate.…
29 V.I.C. § 343 Incentive application; architectural features
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(a) A real property owner who wishes to participate in the Visitable Housing Design and Incentive Program shall submit an incentive application to the Department in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Commissioner. (b) Every dwelling for which a real properly owner is …
29 V.I.C. § 344 Certificate of visitability
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(a) Upon completion of renovation or construction of a visitable dwelling, if the requirements of section 343 are met, the Commissioner shall issue a Certificate of Visitability to the property owner-applicant at the time of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. (b) A Certifi…
29 V.I.C. § 345 Regulations
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The Commissioner, by regulations, shall provide procedures for application, inspection, certification, reporting and publicizing of the Visitable Housing Design and Incentive Program.
29 V.I.C. § 346 Education about Program
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The Commissioner shall educate the public, including all applicants for building permits, building contractors, developers and the general public, on the Visitable Housing Design and Incentive Program through the dissemination of written material, by information on its website an…
29 V.I.C. § 347 Report to Legislature
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The Commissioner shall report on the success of the Visitable Home Design Incentive Program and any funding needs of the program to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands on an annual basis, no later than May 30 each year.
29 V.I.C. § 451 Declaration of findings and policy
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(a) To facilitate the improvement of community services and enhance the health and welfare of citizens of the Nation and of the Virgin Islands, and to obtain assistance in the form of loans and/or grants under the various Federal programs, especially the Public Facility Loans Pro…
29 V.I.C. § 452 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter, unless it is otherwise provided, or the context requires a different construction, application, or meaning—“Area of operation” means the total geographical area composing the Virgin Islands of the United States.“Authority” means the Virgin Islands Pub…
29 V.I.C. § 471 Virgin Islands Public Works Acceleration Authority
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There is hereby established the Virgin Islands Public Works Acceleration Authority as a public body corporate and politic of the Virgin Islands. The Authority shall constitute an instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands within the sense and meaning of section 202(a…
29 V.I.C. § 472 Members of Authority; appointment and tenure; vacancies; removal; compensation and expenses
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(a) The powers, rights, privileges, functions and duties of the Authority shall be vested in seven members, not more than two of whom shall be at any time salaried officials or employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands or of the Government of the United States; provided, …
29 V.I.C. § 473 Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other personnel of the Authority
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The members shall collectively constitute the Board of Directors of the Authority. The Commissioner of Public Works shall serve as Chairman of the Board. A Vice-Chairman shall be selected by the Board from among its members to serve for a year, or until his successor is selected …
29 V.I.C. § 474 Quorum and majority
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Four members shall constitute a quorum of the Board of the Authority for the purpose of conducting the business of the Authority and exercising its powers, and for all other purposes notwithstanding the existence of any vacancies, except that a lesser number may adjourn. Unless t…
29 V.I.C. § 475 Powers and duties of the Authority
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(1) The Authority shall have all the powers necessary and convenient to carry out and perform the purposes and provisions of this chapter (except the power to levy and collect taxes and/or special assessments), including the following powers in addition to other powers granted in…
29 V.I.C. § 476 Participation in Federal programs
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(a) The Authority is empowered and authorized to participate in and exercise all powers conferred by the accelerated public works program of the Federal Government authorized by Public Law 87–658, as amended, the Public Facility Loans Program, as amended, and the Industrial Devel…
29 V.I.C. § 481 Issuance of bonds; terms and conditions generally
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(a) The Authority shall have the power to issue bonds from time to time in its discretion, for any of its corporate purposes. The Authority shall also have power to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or retiring bonds previously issued by it. The Authority may issue …
29 V.I.C. § 482 Maturity of bonds; interest; sale; validity; actions involving bonds
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(a) Bonds of the Authority shall be authorized by its resolutions, may be issued in one or more series and shall be offered, awarded and executed in such manner, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, be in such denomination or…
29 V.I.C. § 483 Powers of Authority with respect to bonds or obligations
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(1) In connection with the issuance of bonds or the incurring of obligations, and in order to secure the payment of such bonds or obligations, the Authority, in addition to its other powers, may—(1) pledge all or any part of its gross or net rents, fees or revenues, to which its …
29 V.I.C. § 484 Rights of obligee
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(1) An obligee of the Authority, in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such obligee, subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon him, may by a civil action—(1) compel the Authority and the directors, officers, agents or employees thereof to perfo…
29 V.I.C. § 485 Conferment of additional rights upon obligee; receiver
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(1) The Authority may by its resolution, or by declaration of trust, trust indenture, mortgage, lease, or other contract confer upon any obligee holding or representing a specified amount in bonds, the right (in addition to all rights that may otherwise be conferred), upon the ha…
29 V.I.C. § 486 Investment of public or private funds in bonds or other obligations
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Notwithstanding any restrictions on investments contained in any laws of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands, any political subdivision thereof, all public officers and other public bodies, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, building and loan …
29 V.I.C. § 487 Provisions permitted in contracts with Federal Government
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In any contract with the Federal Government for financial assistance to the Authority, the Authority may obligate itself (which obligation shall be specifically enforceable and shall not constitute a mortgage, notwithstanding any other laws) to convey to the Federal Government po…
29 V.I.C. § 488 Statutory pledge
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Any pledge made by the Authority shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. The money, assets or revenues of the Authority so pledged and thereafter received by the Authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical deliv…
29 V.I.C. § 491 Cooperation by Government
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(a) For the purposes of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, carrying-out, developing, constructing and operating of projects, and of enabling the Authority to qualify for participation in Federal programs in its authorized fields of activity, the Government of th…
29 V.I.C. § 492 Power to render assistance by taxes, appropriations, borrowing, bonds, etc
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Subject to the provisions of section 8(b) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, approved July 22, 1954, the Government of the Virgin Islands may levy taxes, appropriate funds, incur indebtedness and issue bonds for the purposes of procuring funds to be loaned, appropr…
29 V.I.C. § 493 Interest of directors and others in projects; duty to disclose; violation
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During his tenure and for one year thereafter, no director, officer or employee of the Authority shall voluntarily acquire any personal interest, direct or indirect, in any project or in any property included or planned to be included in any project, or in any contract or propose…
29 V.I.C. § 494 Declaration of findings and policy
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(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:(a) The public health and safety and the environment are threatened where wastewater and solid waste is not managed in an environmentally sound manner and where there are not sufficient waste management facilities available;(b) P…
29 V.I.C. § 495 Definitions
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(a) As used in this chapter, unless it is otherwise provided, or a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:(a) The term “area of operation” means the total geographical area comprising the Virgin Islands.(b) The term “Authority” or “Waste Management Authority” means…
29 V.I.C. § 496 Creation of Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority
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(a) There is established the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority functioning as a non-profit, public body corporate and politic of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The Authority shall constitute an autonomous instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The…
29 V.I.C. § 497 Board of Directors
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(a) The Authority shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven members who shall be appointed by the Governor, three of whom shall be appointed from departments and/or agencies of the Government, with one being the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works a…