Spanish Version: Los Huracanes Irma y Maria en Puerto Rico (FEMA P-2020)

The document provides an analysis of the building codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks related to construction in Puerto Rico, focusing on the history of building codes in the region. It discusses the transition from the Regulation 7 of the Planning Board to the adoption of the International Building Code (IBC) of 1997, highlighting changes made after hurricanes Hugo and Georges. The current Puerto Rico Building Code (PRBC) of 2011, adapted from the International Codes (I-Codes) of 2009 with local amendments, and the ongoing process to adopt the I-Codes of 2018 are also addressed. The role of the Planning Board and the Office of Permit Management (OGPe) in planning, permitting, and enforcing codes is detailed, emphasizing recent legislative changes to improve the permit system in response to the economic crisis in Puerto Rico.