Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 and the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Levy of Infrastructure and Amenities Charges) Rules, 2008
The Housing and Urban Development Department, through Government Order Ms. No. 133 and Government Order Ms. No. 134, both dated 18 July 2024, introduces self-certification for eligible small residential buildings and exempts them from Infrastructure and Amenities charges. The amendments allow qualifying applicants to obtain plans and proceedings online after paying applicable charges, while retaining verification, inspection and enforcement powers.
What the amendments change
Government Order Ms. No. 133 of the Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 18 July 2024, adds a self-certification route to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. Government Order Ms. No. 134 of the Housing and Urban Development Department, also dated 18 July 2024, exempts qualifying self-certified buildings from Infrastructure and Amenities charges.
A self-certified building must be residential and meet all of these limits:
- Plot area up to 2,500 sq. ft.
- Built-up area up to 3,500 sq. ft.
- Up to two dwelling units.
- Ground floor only, or ground plus one floor.
- Maximum height of 7 metres.
Who can use self-certification
The self-certification scheme is available to the landowner, a leaseholder, or a power of attorney holder who has the right to develop the land. The application must be submitted online through the self-certification module.
Eligible sites include plots in approved layouts, approved subdivision plans, natham, layouts regularised under the Tamil Nadu Regularisation of Unapproved Layouts and Plots Rules, 2017, and plots registered by a deed before 20 October 2016.
The scheme does not apply in Coastal Regulation Zone areas, Hill Area Conservation Authority areas, prohibited or restricted development areas, or specified land-use zones such as agriculture, institutional, hazardous, non-urban, open space and recreational zones. It also excludes sites affected by street alignment, road widening, roads or land reserved for public purposes in planning documents.
Application and building requirements
A self-certification application must include site photographs, ownership records, Patta or Town Survey Land Register records, relevant layout or site records, and building drawings signed by an architect or registered engineer. The applicant must certify that the information is true and indemnify the competent authority against claims arising from permission based on the submitted records.
Key planning requirements include:
- Floor Space Index of 2.0.
- Minimum road width of 1.5 metres in continuous building areas and economically weaker section areas, and 3 metres in other areas.
- Applicable front and side setbacks based on location and plot width.
- Buffers from canals, lakes and rivers as specified in the amendment.
- Compliance with the listed building rules and parking requirements.
Approval, checks and consequences
Self-certified applications are exempt from scrutiny fees and Infrastructure and Amenities charges. Other necessary charges or fees remain payable at prescribed rates. After payment, the approved plan and proceedings, with a QR code and the applicant's electronic signature, are generated online for download.
At least 10 per cent of submitted applications each month are selected randomly for record verification. The competent authority may inspect plans and construction at any stage, require violations to be corrected, and act to remove violations if the owner does not comply.
Permission remains valid for five years and may be extended once for another three years on an application made before expiry. False information or documents may lead to prosecution, penal action and cancellation after a show cause notice.
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Common questions
Can I use self-certification for a house with more than two dwelling units?
No. The scheme is limited to residential buildings with up to two dwelling units, within the stated plot area, built-up area, floor and height limits.
Are self-certified building applications completely free of charges?
No. They are exempt from scrutiny fees and Infrastructure and Amenities charges, but the applicant must pay other necessary charges or fees at the prescribed rates.
Will the authorities inspect a building approved through self-certification?
They may. At least 10 per cent of applications each month are randomly selected for record verification, and the competent authority may inspect the plans and construction at any stage.
How long is permission under the self-certification scheme valid?
Permission is valid for five years from its issue. The competent authority may extend it once for another three years if the application is made before expiry and the applicable renewal fees are paid.
