USVI house

"Supposed to" and "required to" both suggest that someone is actually enforcing the rules and regulations. 😉 If you saw the thread on motorcycles, you would have noticed that many people conveniently ignore the law because there is little chance of being caught. Same thing with houses. There is one in my neighborhood that looks exactly like it did 10 years ago when we moved to this spot. Concrete block, tiles, other stuff piled up outside. Some one is living in the downstairs, but I guess there is no hurry with finishing the upstairs.

Many VI residents do not take out huge construction loans and work on the completion of their family home as money is saved. Often the construction is similar to 'Amish barn raising' and whole families and friends will come together to make a big push forward on the project.
I also think there is a tax saving until you have a Certificate of Occupancy and get off construction power but I am not sure if that is true or really a factor anyway. Some people do accrue materials on site as mentioned and will use them as time and money allow. Once the cistern is done and the lower level is livable it may be years until the upstairs level and roof are finished.

Many actually rough in the second floor and don't finish it until it is needed by the family.

No, it's not the way it's done on the continent, but it makes sense here. There is one church that has been under construction for all 5 years we've lived here. Little by little the congregation works on it as money is available. I think another year or so and it will be done.

We've always referred to them as "crucian projects". The irony is, as we build our own house, it's been two years and counting.....it seems sometimes, the choice is time or money...just to get things, and the workers, and everything go smoothly...and then life interferes....and on it goes....

Only if it is considered hazardous, will it be condemned. That goes for the states to,my dad took years to build his cabin in California. If it is built up to code you can take as long as you want. You must call for inspection every 6 months or your permit will expire. You can call and extend that inspection time to. I think there are several reasons why many go slow on island. The first being because they can. The houses are concrete so there is no damage to your half built house. In the states a half built wood house would not weather very well. You do need plans permit all of that to get started no one can make you finish.