Behold the Raj Mahal: City Cites Unpermitted Tiki Hut at Felony-Indicted Former Building Chief’s Home
Notice targets Raj Ramsingh as withdrawn variance, missing inspections and past City Hall controversies resurface.
The City of Key West has issued a formal notice of code violations to felony-indicted former chief building official Raj Ramsingh after determining that a tiki hut was built and electrically wired without required permits or inspections at his Harris Avenue property, according to city records.
The notice, dated Jan. 14, 2026, was sent by certified mail to Ramsingh and his wife, Deborah for the residence at 2827 Harris Ave.
City records show the property is in violation of Section 14-37 of the City of Key West Code of Ordinances, which requires a building permit to be obtained before any construction work is performed, whether permanent or temporary, and that permits be posted and visible from the street. Officials said a records review, including a Jan. 7 check, found no building permit for the tiki hut and no permits for associated electrical work.
The code also requires professional plans bearing the seal of a licensed architect or engineer for permitted work, particularly when mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems are involved, unless limited exemptions apply. City officials said no approved plans or permit applications exist for the accessory structure.
Records further show Ramsingh initially sought zoning relief through a variance application prepared by local planner Owen Trepanier. However, officials said the drawings submitted with that application did not reflect the work or improvements actually completed at the site. The variance application has since been withdrawn, and updated drawings reflecting existing conditions have not been submitted, according to city records.
A second violation was cited under Section 14-262 of the city code, which requires electrical work to be inspected at various stages, including final inspection. City permit records reflect that no inspection requests or approvals were submitted for the electrical service serving or attached to the tiki hut, the notice states.
As corrective action, the owners were ordered to either obtain after-the-fact building and electrical permits, complete all required plan reviews and pass final inspections, or obtain a demolition permit to remove the unpermitted structure and disconnect and remove associated electrical installations, followed by a final inspection.
Ramsingh previously served as Key West’s chief building official and has been linked to a series of City Hall controversies referred to locally as the “Bubba Bozo Trio,” a shorthand used by civic watchdogs and political opponents to describe three senior officials accused of exerting outsized influence over permitting and personnel matters. Those observers have said the group played a central role in the highly public unraveling and eventual termination of former City Manager Al Childress after months of contentious meetings and internal conflict. Ramsingh has denied wrongdoing in connection with those matters, which have been examined by state and federal authorities.
City officials said the Harris Avenue case remains active. More violations could be forthcoming, and the matter is under ongoing review by the State Attorney’s Office, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
The City of Key West Building Department can be reached at 305-809-3956 for compliance and permitting information.