This Act makes provision for rights in land of the Crown and citizens of Barbuda and related matters such as registration and provides rules relative to the development of land in Barbuda.
The Act states that all land shall be owned in common by the people of Barbuda and that the land shall vest in the Crown on behalf of the people of Barbuda. No land in Barbuda shall be sold and no person shall acquire the ownership of any land. The Council of Barbuda may grant leases of land for major developments. The rights of Barbudans in respect of land shall consist of: the exclusive right of occupation for residence, cultivation or commercial purposes and the right to graze animals. The rights of occupancy may be converted by the Council of Barbuda into leases to be granted for ten years, renewable. The Act also specifies restrictions on land use including the cutting and felling of timber without a permit of the Council. The Act sets out powers and duties of the Council with respect to land administration and development. The Council may designate areas for specific uses including fisheries and forestry. The Act further concerns, among other things, the allotment of land for residential purposes, development plans and other regulation of development, confirmation of existing leases, the creation of a land registry and the amendment of other legislation.