G.O. Ms. No. 154, Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, 2025
The Housing and Urban Development Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 154, dated 7 October 2025, amending the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. The amendments replace references to cottage industries with White Industries, prescribe planning standards for White, Green, Orange and Red Industries, and replace the industry lists in Annexures V, VI, VII and VIII.
What the notification changes
The Housing and Urban Development Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 154 on 7 October 2025. Acting under the laws identified in the notification, the Governor of Tamil Nadu amended the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019.
The amendments:
- replace the term "cottage industries" with "White industries" in rule 35;
- replace the industrial planning parameters in rule 36;
- replace "Cottage Industries" with "White Industries" in the industry parking heading in Annexure IV; and
- substitute new Annexures V, VI, VII and VIII for White, Green, Orange and Red Industries respectively.
The categorisation of industries remains subject to orders issued from time to time by the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department or the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
Planning standards for industrial sites
The amended Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 prescribe the following common standards for White, Green, Orange and Red Industries:
- maximum building height of 18.30 metres;
- normally permissible Floor Space Index of 2;
- no restriction on plot coverage;
- on-site parking according to Annexure IV;
- rainwater harvesting according to Annexure XXII; and
- land reservation for parks or playgrounds according to rule 41.
The minimum road width is 7 metres in Corporations, Municipalities and Town Panchayats for all four categories. In Peri-Urban Village Panchayats and Village Panchayats, the minimum is 6 metres for White and Green Industries and 7 metres for Orange and Red Industries.
White Industries require a 1.5 metre front setback, a 1.5 metre side setback and no rear setback. Green Industries have front setbacks ranging from 1.5 metres to 6 metres according to road width, with 2 metre side and rear setbacks. Orange and Red Industries require 6 metre front, side and rear setbacks.
Additional structures and height controls
The amended rules allow certain incidental structures within prescribed setback spaces, including gate pillars, servant rooms, watchman booths, cycle stands and toilets. Their height must not exceed 4 metres, and they must not occupy more than one-third of the length of any one side of the site.
Water tanks, chimneys and specified architectural or ornamental features not intended for human habitation may be permitted up to 30.50 metres from ground level. If the total height exceeds 30.50 metres, a No Objection Certificate from the Airports Authority of India must be furnished.
Who may be affected
The amendments are relevant to owners, buyers, developers and professionals dealing with sites used or proposed for industrial activities. Annexure V includes many dry-process, assembly, packing, repair, renewable energy, handicraft and small-scale activities within the White Industries category.
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
What road width is required for an industrial property?
In Corporations, Municipalities and Town Panchayats, all four industrial categories require a minimum road width of 7 metres. In Peri-Urban Village Panchayats and Village Panchayats, White and Green Industries require 6 metres, while Orange and Red Industries require 7 metres.
What is the maximum permitted height for an industrial building?
The maximum building height is 18.30 metres. Certain non-habitable features may be permitted up to 30.50 metres, and a No Objection Certificate from the Airports Authority of India is required if the total height exceeds 30.50 metres.
Are White Industries the same as cottage industries under these amendments?
The amendment replaces the expression "cottage industries" with "White industries" in rule 35 and replaces the corresponding heading in Annexure IV.
Can a watchman booth or toilet be built within an industrial setback?
Yes. Incidental structures such as watchman booths and toilets may be placed within prescribed setback spaces if they do not exceed 4 metres in height or occupy more than one-third of the length of any one side of the site.
