Amendment to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 (2026)
The Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, through G.O. Ms. No.126, Housing and Urban Development (UD-1), dated 15 June 2026, amends the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. It replaces sub-rule (25) of rule 39 with a process requiring plans for high-rise buildings in the Chennai Metropolitan Area to be scrutinised by a specified panel before the planning authority approves the plan.
What the amendment does
G.O. Ms. No.126, Housing and Urban Development (UD-1), dated 15 June 2026, was issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The amendment substitutes sub-rule (25) of rule 39 of the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019.
The substituted provision establishes a panel to scrutinise plans for high-rise buildings in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The scrutiny is carried out for the planning authority's approval of the plan.
Who may be affected
The amended process applies to high-rise building plans in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It is relevant to owners, developers, architects and professionals involved in seeking planning permission for such projects.
The provision does not state that the panel applies to buildings outside the Chennai Metropolitan Area or to buildings that are not classified as high-rise buildings.
Panel members
The scrutiny panel includes:
- The Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as chairperson.
- The Director of Fire and Rescue Services.
- The Engineering Director of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
- The Chief Planner and Senior Planner of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, with the Senior Planner acting as convener.
- The Chief Engineer of the Greater Chennai Corporation.
- Chief Engineers from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Water Resource Department and Public Works Department.
- The Additional, Joint or Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for Chennai, Avadi or Tambaram.
- A reputed architect who did not design the building.
- The concerned Executive Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer of the local body, wherever applicable, as a special invitee.
Decision after scrutiny
The Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, as amended, require any suggestions or alterations recommended by the panel to be incorporated into the plan. After receiving the revised plan, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must either grant or refuse planning permission.
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Common questions
Does this amendment apply to every building in Tamil Nadu?
No. The substituted provision specifically concerns high-rise buildings in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Can the architect who designed the building sit on the scrutiny panel?
No. The panel's reputed architect must be someone other than the architect who designed the building.
What happens if the panel recommends changes to a high-rise building plan?
The panel's suggested alterations must be incorporated into the plan. After receiving the plan, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must grant or refuse planning permission.
Does panel scrutiny guarantee planning permission?
No. After the scrutiny process and incorporation of recommended changes, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority may either grant or refuse planning permission.
