Approvals for high-rises
The Hindu published “Approvals for high-rises”, written by G. Shyam Sundar, on April 22, 2016, and updated it on October 18, 2016. The article explains the approval requirements for multi-storeyed buildings in Tamil Nadu, including site dimensions, road access, floor space index, setbacks, infrastructure, land records and agency clearances. It is an explanatory newspaper article, not a government order, and it names no issuing government department or order number.
What it covers
The Hindu article defines a multi-storeyed building as one exceeding four floors or 15.25 metres in height. Hospital buildings may be up to 17 metres before being treated under that definition. The requirements described apply to proposals under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning.
Site and building requirements
Key approval conditions listed in the article include:
- The access road must be at least 18 metres wide.
- Plot frontage must be at least 25 metres, or 40 metres for a category III building.
- Permissible floor space index ranges from 1.50 to 2.50 according to building category. Hospitals may receive an additional 0.25 floor space index.
- Premium floor space index of 1 above the permissible level is allowed, subject to road width parameters.
- Minimum plot sizes under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority range from 1,200 square metres for category I to 2,500 square metres for category III. The minimum under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning is four grounds, or 9,600 square feet.
- Building coverage ranges from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, depending on category.
- The minimum setback is 7 metres, with an additional setback for buildings above 30 metres.
- Internal vehicular access must have a clear width of 7.2 metres.
Buildings in categories II and III may reach 60 metres where the adjoining road is at least 18 metres wide. A building exceeding 60 metres requires an adjoining road at least 30.5 metres wide.
Records, infrastructure and clearances
Residential or predominantly residential sites exceeding 10,000 square metres must reserve at least 10 per cent for lower income group housing, either on site or within 2 kilometres. Sites exceeding 2,500 square metres must show a contiguous 10 per cent Open Space Reservation area.
Applicants need land records from the Tahsildar, including survey sketches, patta, chitta, register extracts, village maps and water body details. The article also lists title document attestation, a legal opinion, soil certification, soil tests, sewage treatment details, rainwater harvesting and solar water heating provisions.
No objection certificates may be required from fire, highways, civil aviation, broadcasting, traffic police, electricity, pollution control and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage authorities, depending on the proposal. The article does not state whether these requirements were later amended or replaced.
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 this newspaper article itself grant approval for a high-rise project?
No. The Hindu article only explains approval requirements. It is not an approval or a government order.
What road width does the article require for a multi-storeyed building?
The minimum access road width is 18 metres. For a building exceeding 60 metres, the adjoining road must be at least 30.5 metres wide.
What land documents are listed for an application?
The article lists Tahsildar documents covering the field measurement book or town survey sketch, patta, chitta, town survey land records, the A register extract, a village map and details of any water body passing through the site.
When is a sewage treatment plant required?
The article requires one where a development exceeds 50 dwelling units or has 2,500 square metres of commercial area, with prior approval from the Pollution Control Board. This applies where sewage systems from metro water or the local body are unavailable.
