The cashier at the Council Administrative Building is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm from Mon-Thursday and 8:30am - 4:00pm on Fridays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Payments
The Local Authorities presently accept all local and internationally issued Credit Cards. Additionally, they use the Multilink system for processing Debit Cards.
Presently the Financial Audit Act does not permit the Local Authority to issue copies of receipts. The Local Authority can however provide a letter certifying that a payment was made.
The Local Authority presently has a weekly pay cycle. Bill payments are normally made on a Friday in accordance with the terms of the supplier agreement.Contact your Local Authority for more details.
Contact the Local Authority to make queries or contact the Infirmary in your Parish or any elected representative in the Parish.
Development Approval Process
This is the process of municipal laws or regulations regulating the type and size of buildings that can be erected and activities undertaken in specific areas.
Development means the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land. Essentially development occurs when change takes place.
Yes. Any changes to the structure of a dwelling house requires the approval of the local planning authority.
Building fees are calculated based on the square meters/square footage of the structure to be erected plus a site inspection fee.
No. A person shall not sell, offer, or advertise for sale, or build upon any lot in any subdivision unless it has been previously approved by the Local Planning Authority.
Commercial Services
No! You should await approval in writing from the Council on your application before you erect your advertising sign. All advertisement applications are sent and discussed in our monthly Planning Meetings for approval or refusal of same.
Property Taxes
Property Tax is a charge levied on all property in Jamaica.
All persons in possession of land; such a person is defined by the Property Tax Act as the owner, occupier, mortgagee in possession or other person in actual possession of such property.
The following categories of land are exempt from the payment of Property Tax:
- Buildings exclusively used for religious worship, churches yards, burial grounds and Rectories,
- Educational institutions and properties owned by the Council of Legal Education,
- Government-owned lands,
- Lands owned by the Local Authorities,
- Hospitals, and
- Lands owned by charitable or cultural organisations approved by the Minister and used solely for the purposes of such organisations.
All properties with an unimproved value of up to J$300,000.00 is charged a flat rate of J$1,000.00. Properties with values exceeding J$300,000.00 will attract an additional 0.75% for every additional dollar.
Property tax becomes due on April 1 each year and may be paid in full, half yearly or quarter yearly instalment. Half yearly instalments are to be made on April1 and October 1 each year while quarterly instalments are to be made on April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1. Whether payment is made in full or in instalments, first payments made after April 30 may attract a 10% penalty.
You may pay your property tax at any of the 29 tax offices located islandwide. You may also pay online at www.jamaicatax-online.gov.jm
The Property Tax Act; Land Taxation (Relief) Act; The Land Valuation Act; The Tax (Collection) Act
Property taxes are used to finance property-related services in communities throughout Jamaica. Property Tax pays for:
- Maintenance and expansion of street lighting,
- Collection and disposal of solid waste,
- Community infrastructure and civil improvements,
- Administration of Local Authorities,
- Repairs to fire stations, and
- Rehabilitation of parochial/farm roads.
Persons who are destitute and need institutional care must contact the Poor Relief Office and speak with a Poor Relief Officer. That officer will carry out further investigations to see it the need exists. The officer will then contact the Matron at the Infirmary to see if space is available at the institution and if that is so, that officer will recommend that the person for admission to the Infirmary.
Land Valuation
Valuation in Jamaica is based on the unimproved value of the land, that is, the price which the owner would expect to receive if he were selling the land alone disregarding the value of any improvements such as buildings and crops. Several factors determine the (unimproved) value of land, including: Size of the parcel of land, Zoning and type of land, Potential for development, Topography (elevation & other surface features), Soil classification, Access to municipal & commercial services, and Neighbourhood characteristics.
You may serve a Notice of Objection on the prescribed form at the Commissioner of Land Valuations within 60 days after receiving the Notice of Valuation. You may also fill in a Declaration of Value form indicating the amount that they believe is the more accurate value of the land. The landowner should pay 75% of the tax liability while the objection is being considered.