Planning fees will be waived for repairs to properties damaged in Hurricane Humberto.

Straightforward repairs of windows, doors and roof slate will not require planning permission or a building permit, a spokeswoman for the Department of Planning said yesterday.

The deal, made under the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, will last until October 26.

The spokeswoman said: “Owners can proceed immediately with these types of repairs as soon as it is feasibly possible. Repairs to buildings that received structural damage as a result of the hurricane may only commence following the receipt of a building permit from the Department of Planning. These applications will be given priority and will be processed expeditiously.”

A building permit is still required for repairs to structural damage of listed buildings or buildings in historic protection areas.

The spokeswoman said these applications would be expedited, and non-structural “like-for-like” repairs would not require a building permit or planning permission.

She said: “Owners can proceed immediately with repairing items such as windows, doors and roof slate with identical materials to replicate the style and detailing of the original structure.”

A building permit is also required for work on seawalls and docks.

The spokeswoman said: “This is to ensure that the replacement structures meet the Bermuda Building Code 1998 and are structurally sound.

“Since seawalls and docks can have a negative impact on the natural foreshore both physically and visually, planning permission may be required in some instance. Prior to considering any repair works, the Department of Planning should be consulted.”

• For building permit information, contact Chris Bulley on 298-6375 or cbulley@gov.bm.

• For development application information, contact Paul McDonald on 297-7793 or pamcdonald@gov.bm.

• For further information or advice about listed buildings, contact Larry Williams on 297-7724 or lqwilliams@gov.bm