Understanding Local Regulations in Architecture and Construction

When undertaking a global architecture and construction project, understanding the regulatory environment of the local community is essential and cannot be overlooked. Technical requirements and ES&H factors, as well as legalities surrounding wildlife conservation and sustainable construction, can lead to unplanned cost overruns if not properly planned for from a regulatory standpoint. Even when the technical and ES&H aspects of a project are complete, if the local community views the project as having disrespected its laws and regulations, the project may not be viewed as a success, and that can have downstream impacts on future collaborations.

One aspect of local regulatory environments that gets overlooked, for example, are the laws and regulations regarding local wildlife, which can vary widely, even between states where a project is taking place. One recent example in Michigan involving deer baiting illustrates the broader point of the necessity of understanding local laws and working with the relevant authorities from the beginning of any international building project.

When discussing the question, “the legality of deer baiting in Michigan,” it is important to distinguish between what legal concepts apply in Michigan compared to other states where PDI Global LLC has operations. Michigan law regulating the baiting of deer is not unlike the types of regulations that may be imposed in regard to other forms of wildlife. For example, different states may have different laws and regulations regarding the taking of other game animals, such as bear, moose, or perhaps even migratory birds or exotic game animals down the road. And where you have species that are considered endangered or threatened, the laws and regulations may require even more stringent oversight.

The key takeaway for any international building project is to work with local authorities to ensure that your project stays within the bounds of local law while achieving your goals for wildlife conservation and sustainable construction. If it is determined that the project will violate some aspect of law, immediate steps must be taken to work around that issue to prevent any unnecessary delays in the construction timeline or budget overrun.