G.O. (Ms.) No. 148, Certain Variations to Development Control Regulations
The Housing and Urban Development (UD1) Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 dated 26 October 2018, varying Development Control Regulations for Floor Space Index and Premium Floor Space Index under the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning. The changes took effect from 1 October 2018, but do not apply in Coastal Regulation Zone areas or other ecologically sensitive areas notified by the Government.
What the government changed
G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 dated 26 October 2018, issued by the Housing and Urban Development (UD1) Department, substitutes parts of Development Control Regulations 3(3), 4(3)C, 5(2)D, 6 and 6B(2). The changes increase allowable Floor Space Index (FSI) and Premium FSI for certain developments regulated by planning authorities under the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning.
The Government accepted a proposal from the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning after considering land availability, FSI standards in other cities and the effect of lower FSI on urban form and housing for low income people.
Areas and developments covered
The Development Control Regulations concerned govern special buildings, multi-storied buildings, group developments and layouts in Local Planning Areas covering:
- Coimbatore, Madurai, Truchirapalli, Salem and Tirunelveli
- Vellore, Tiruppur, Erode and Thoothukudi
- Mamallapuram, Thiruvallur, Gummidipoondi, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu
G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 also directs the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning to have all planning authorities vary their Development Control Regulations as specified.
Key FSI provisions
The substituted provisions include:
- Under Development Control Regulation 4(3)C, maximum FSI is 2.0 for residential development and 1.5 for other development.
- The substituted tables under Development Control Regulations 3(3) and 5(2)D contain revised maximum FSI figures, including 2.0 and 3.25 for the categories shown in those tables.
- Premium FSI may be allowed above normally allowable FSI, subject to a maximum additional FSI of 1.0 for special buildings and group developments.
- For multi-storied buildings in specifically notified areas, additional Premium FSI cannot exceed 1.62.
- Premium FSI is available on collection at rates prescribed with Government approval. Amounts collected must be kept in an appropriate account for infrastructure development in the relevant area.
For planning areas under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, permissible Premium FSI is:
- Roads 18.0 metres and wider, 50 per cent of normally allowable FSI.
- Roads from 12.0 metres to below 18.0 metres, 40 per cent.
- Roads from 9.0 metres to below 12.0 metres, 30 per cent.
These percentages remain subject to the overall Premium FSI limits.
Effective date and exclusions
The FSI and Premium FSI amendments under G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 took effect from 1 October 2018. Increased FSI and Premium FSI do not apply to Coastal Regulation Zone areas or other ecologically sensitive areas notified by the Government.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 increase the FSI for residential development?
Yes. Development Control Regulation 4(3)C sets maximum FSI at 2.0 for residential development and 1.5 for other development.
How does road width affect Premium FSI?
Premium FSI is 50 per cent of normally allowable FSI for roads at least 18.0 metres wide, 40 per cent for roads from 12.0 metres to below 18.0 metres, and 30 per cent for roads from 9.0 metres to below 12.0 metres. Overall limits under Development Control Regulation 6 still apply.
Can increased FSI be used on land within a Coastal Regulation Zone?
No. The increased FSI and Premium FSI do not apply in Coastal Regulation Zone areas or in other ecologically sensitive areas notified by the Government.
When did the revised FSI provisions take effect?
The revised FSI and Premium FSI provisions took effect from 1 October 2018, although G.O. (Ms.) No. 148 is dated 26 October 2018.
