Office Order No. 4/2012, Separate Planning Permission for Site and Building Construction
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (Administration Division), through Office Order No. 4/2012 dated 3 February 2012, introduced separate stages for approving a site and approving building construction on that site. Applicants may seek site approval first and apply later for building approval, or continue to apply for both together, and the order states that it takes immediate effect.
What the order changes
Office Order No. 4/2012 of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority separates scrutiny of a site's suitability for a proposed use or type of development from scrutiny of the proposed building. Previously, planning permission generally approved both the site and the specific construction together.
The procedure affects people applying for planning permission for developments such as residential buildings, shops, offices, hotels, theatres, hospitals, schools, institutional buildings, industries, special buildings, group developments and multi storeyed buildings.
Site approval
An applicant may apply first for approval of a vacant site, or a site that will become vacant after demolition. Construction must not have started.
Key provisions include:
- The site is to be inspected within 10 working days to verify road width, boundaries, site condition and any need for a link road.
- A required second level inspection is to be completed within 15 working days.
- Questions concerning road adequacy or permission for a proposed activity under special sanction may be placed before the relevant authority bodies.
- Ownership, subdivision, road widening, link roads, Open Space Reservation requirements and applicable charges are examined.
- Required land for road widening, link roads or Open Space Reservation may have to be transferred through a prescribed gift deed.
- The approved site plan records the site boundary, extent, road width, road widening, link road, Open Space Reservation space and approved use or development type.
Site approval alone does not permit construction. Construction without separate valid planning permission is unauthorised and may face locking, sealing or demolition.
Building approval after site approval
A person with separate site approval must apply for planning permission before constructing a building. If the site was inspected within six months, measured from submission of the planning permission application, another site inspection may be omitted.
The applicant must provide current ownership records, a patta with Field Measurement Book sketch or Permanent Land Register extract, and a current encumbrance certificate. Applicable charges not already collected during site approval will be collected if the proposal complies with the Development Regulations.
Application options and publication
Office Order No. 4/2012 preserves the option to apply for site approval and building approval together. Such an application must include all required details and plans for both stages.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is to publish weekly updated lists of site approvals and building planning permissions on its website.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can I obtain Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority site approval before finalising my building application?
Yes. Office Order No. 4/2012 allows an applicant to obtain approval for the site and its proposed use or development type first, then apply separately for building construction.
Does site approval allow me to start construction?
No. Separate planning permission for the building is required before construction. Construction without valid planning permission is unauthorised and may face locking, sealing or demolition.
Can I still apply for site and building approval together?
Yes. The combined application option remains available, but the application must contain all details and plans required for both site approval and building approval.
Will the site be inspected again when I apply for building approval?
A further site inspection may be omitted if the site was inspected within six months, measured with reference to the date of submission of the planning permission application.
