Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai - 107
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai issued this 2024 annexure recording public information officer replies and first appellate authority decisions on land use conversion, layout applications, agricultural records, school access and unauthorised marriage halls. It provides procedural guidance, including which clearances are required, how online applications are considered and what action may follow construction without approval.
What the guidance covers
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai annexure records replies to seven public information queries. It is relevant to landowners, developers, layout applicants, schools and professionals dealing with agricultural land or development approval.
Agricultural land and layout applications
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai cited Circular Letter Na.Ka.No.9480/2019/TCP-5 dated 15 November 2023 when explaining the online process.
- An applicant submits the Agriculture Department report with the proposed application through the online single window portal.
- The Joint Director of Agriculture uploads the report.
- For layout approval, the office considers online applications through the portal and proceeds after receiving the online report from the Joint Director of Agriculture, Theni.
- The replies state that reports received so far were based on field inspection and the Village Administrative Officer's adangal showing that the land had remained fallow for three years, including the current fasli.
- Details obtained from the relevant Revenue Department officers are uploaded by applicants with the online application.
The first appeal questioned whether adangal records were being obtained from authorised officers and how their authenticity was checked. The appellate reply confirmed the online upload process but did not describe a separate verification method.
Conversion of agricultural land
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai gave different guidance based on location and land type:
- In a planning area, development must follow the land use in the Master Plan or Detailed Development Plan.
- In a non-planning area, wet land requires a no objection certificate from the District Collector.
- In a non-planning area, dry land requires a no objection certificate from the Agriculture Department.
- Agricultural land proposed for commercial use in a panchayat or rural area requires an application to the Town and Country Planning Department for land use conversion.
Buildings and enforcement
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Chennai stated that a new school building requires a minimum access road width of 7.0 metres under TNCDBR 2019.
If a marriage hall is built on agricultural land without the required Town and Country Planning Department approval, closure and sealing action may be taken under sections 56 and 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
For the meaning of an industrial consultancy building, the reply refers readers to Government Order No. 18 of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department dated 4 February 2019 and Government Order No. 16 of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department dated 31 January 2020.
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
Where should I apply to convert agricultural land for commercial use in a rural area?
You must apply to the Town and Country Planning Department and obtain land use conversion.
What clearance is needed for agricultural land in a non-planning area?
Wet land requires a no objection certificate from the District Collector. Dry land requires a no objection certificate from the Agriculture Department.
What is the minimum access road width for a new school building?
The minimum access road width is 7.0 metres under TNCDBR 2019.
Can an unapproved marriage hall on agricultural land be sealed?
Yes. If it was built without the required Town and Country Planning Department approval, closure and sealing action may be taken under sections 56 and 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
