TRELAWNY, Jamaica—Mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC), Councillor C Junior Gager, has announced a four-month amnesty for unauthorised advertisements and buildings, urging residents to regularise their properties and structures before enforcement action is taken.

The amnesty, which runs from October 6, 2026, to January 31, 2027, will allow individuals with existing unauthorised signs, banners, billboards and places of amusement to submit applications and comply with Government regulations.

A separate building amnesty will operate over the same period, giving property owners an opportunity to submit building plans for approval.

Addressing the TMC’s regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Gager stressed that the initiative was intended to protect lives and property by ensuring buildings meet the necessary safety standards.

“We are looking about your safety, so we are saying to you, wherever you are, in any corner of Trelawny, whether it’s north or south, make sure that the building that you have is approved by the parish council, and you have the necessary documents to show our officers,” he said.

Gager warned that completing construction without approved plans could expose homeowners to significant losses, particularly during hurricanes, when poorly secured roofs and inadequate structural reinforcement can result in extensive damage.

He urged residents not to assume that completing a roof and installing windows meant they had fulfilled their obligations, noting that the corporation could pursue outstanding fees for up to 12 years after a building was completed.

“You must have your approved plans,” Gager said, adding that buildings should be constructed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.

He pointed to inadequate steel reinforcement and the absence of hurricane straps as possible weaknesses that could cause roofs to be torn away during severe weather, leaving owners facing costly repairs.

The Falmouth mayor also called on residents to cooperate with municipal officers during inspections.

“And remember, if you don’t cooperate, there are actions that will be taken. So we ask you: use this period. Come in; it’s important,” Gager said.

—Horace Hines