Chapter XIII Development Regulations
Chapter XIII Development Regulations, issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as part of the Second Master Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area, designates land within the metropolitan area into 10 use zones and requires development and planning permissions to follow the Development Regulations in Volume II. It also identifies areas of special character, ecologically sensitive areas and prohibited development areas, including Pallikkaranai swamp and the area around the Indian Air Force station.
What the regulations govern
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority uses the Development Regulations to control development within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Except for land with a specific use, such as water bodies, forests, roads and railways, areas are designated as one of 10 use zones.
The purpose of the Development Regulations is to promote development that follows the land use zoning in the Second Master Plan. Planning permission within the Chennai Metropolitan Area must be regulated according to these Development Regulations, which are provided in Volume II of the Second Master Plan.
The 10 land use zones
The Second Master Plan designates the following zones:
- Primary Residential use zone
- Mixed Residential use zone
- Commercial use zone
- Institutional use zone
- Industrial use zone
- Special and hazardous Industrial use zone
- Open space and Recreational use zone
- Agriculture use zone
- Non Urban use zone
- Urbanisable use zone
Within each zone, some uses are permitted normally. Other uses require special sanction from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The extract does not identify which individual uses fall into either category.
Special and sensitive areas
The Second Master Plan also designates areas for buildings or development of a special character. These include multi storeyed building areas, continuous building areas and economically weaker section areas.
Other designated locations include:
- CRZ areas, aquifer recharge areas and Red Hills catchment areas as ecologically sensitive areas
- MRTS influence areas, the IT Corridor and areas around airports as areas of special character
- Pallikkaranai swamp and the area around the Indian Air Force station as prohibited development areas
What property owners and buyers should check
A property owner, buyer or developer should identify the applicable use zone and check whether the site falls within a special character, ecologically sensitive or prohibited development area. The applicable land use maps are identified as Map No. MP-II/CMDA.1/2008 to MP-II/CMDA.15/2008, read with MP-II/City 1/2008 to MP-II/City 42/2008 and MP-II/CMA 1/2008 to MP-II/CMA 250/2008.
The zoning map alone does not provide every development condition. The detailed controls governing planning permission are contained in the Development Regulations in Volume II.
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
Does every property in the Chennai Metropolitan Area fall into one of the 10 use zones?
Areas within the Chennai Metropolitan Area are designated into the 10 use zones, except areas with specific uses such as water bodies, forests, roads and railways.
Can any development allowed in a zone proceed without special approval?
No general conclusion can be drawn from this extract. It says some uses are permitted normally, while other uses require special sanction from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
Are any areas identified as prohibited for development?
Yes. The Second Master Plan demarcates Pallikkaranai swamp and the area around the Indian Air Force station as prohibited development areas.
Where are the detailed rules for planning permission?
The detailed Development Regulations forming part of the Second Master Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area are provided in Volume II.
