G.O.(Ms).No.121, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 25.09.2015
G.O.(Ms).No.121, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 25.09.2015, issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department, changes the Development Regulations in the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026. It raises the maximum height for Special Buildings and Group Developments in the Chennai Metropolitan Area from 15.25 metres to 17.0 metres, and a later Circular dated 16.02.2016 from the Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning says the same approach should be followed in Director of Town and Country Planning areas, treating certain G+3, Stilt+4, or basement+Stilt+4 buildings up to 17.25 metres as Special Buildings.
What this document does
G.O.(Ms).No.121, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 25.09.2015, is a Government Order on variations to the Development Regulations of the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026. It changes the rules used by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for Special Buildings, Group Developments and Multi-storeyed Buildings.
A Circular dated 16.02.2016 from the Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning then records a decision of the Empowered Committee to apply the same analogy in Director of Town and Country Planning areas.
What changed in Chennai Metropolitan Area
The Housing and Urban Development Department order says the Government accepted proposals sent by the Member-Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, and issued variations to the Development Regulations.
Key changes mentioned in the text are:
- the maximum height for Special Buildings was changed from 15.25 metres to 17.0 metres
- the maximum height for Group Developments was also changed from 15.25 metres to 17.0 metres
- the definition of Multi-storeyed Buildings was changed to mean buildings exceeding 4 floors or 47.0 metres in height
- all habitable floors must have equal heights, except hospitals
- several Development Regulation entries were amended to replace 15.25 metres with 17.0 metres
What the Director of Town and Country Planning Circular says for Director of Town and Country Planning areas
The Circular dated 16.02.2016 from the Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning refers to G.O.Ms.No.121, Housing and Urban Development Department dated 25.09.2015, and to the 31st Empowered Committee Meeting held on 09.02.2016.
The Empowered Committee decided that in Director of Town and Country Planning areas, a building will be considered a Special Building if:
- it consists of G+3 floor, or
- Stilt+4 floors, or
- basement+Stilt+4 floors, and
- the height of the building is up to a maximum of 17.25 m
The Circular asks all subordinate officers to follow that decision.
Who this affects
This matters to:
- property owners planning Special Buildings or Group Developments
- buyers checking whether a proposed building fits the applicable height category
- architects, engineers and planning professionals preparing applications
- officials in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority areas and Director of Town and Country Planning areas
Why the height was increased
The source text says the increase was recommended to accommodate air condition ducts for centralized air condition systems. It also says no additional Floor Space Index or any other benefit will be extended by increasing the height of the building.
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
Did the Government increase the permitted height for Special Buildings in Chennai Metropolitan Area?
Yes. G.O.(Ms).No.121, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 25.09.2015, changes the maximum height for Special Buildings from 15.25 metres to 17.0 metres in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Does this also apply outside Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority areas?
The Circular dated 16.02.2016 from the Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning says the same analogy should be applied in Director of Town and Country Planning areas. It says certain G+3, Stilt+4, or basement+Stilt+4 buildings up to 17.25 m will be considered Special Buildings.
Will the extra height give extra Floor Space Index or other benefits?
No. The source text says no additional Floor Space Index or any other benefit will be extended by increasing the height of the building.
What floor pattern can still be treated as a Special Building in Director of Town and Country Planning areas?
The Circular dated 16.02.2016 says a building consisting of G+3 floor, or Stilt+4 floors, or basement+Stilt+4 floors, with height up to 17.25 m, would be considered a Special Building.
