G.O.(Ms).No.154, Delegation of Powers to Local Bodies, 2020
The Housing and Urban Development [UD4(3)] Department issued G.O.(Ms).No.154, dated 13 October 2020, increasing the planning permission powers of local bodies outside Chennai for certain residential buildings. Eligible residential plans may have a total built-up area up to 10,000 square feet, subject to the stated limits on dwelling units, height and floors.
What the order changes
The Housing and Urban Development [UD4(3)] Department issued G.O.(Ms).No.154, dated 13 October 2020, to expand the authority of local bodies outside Chennai to grant planning permission for specified residential buildings. The change was intended to simplify planning permission for small residential buildings.
Before this change, the delegated residential limit was a total built-up area up to 7,000 square feet. G.O.(Ms).No.154 increases that area limit to 10,000 square feet while retaining the stated restrictions on dwelling units, building height and number of floors.
Residential buildings covered
Under G.O.(Ms).No.154, local bodies outside Chennai may grant planning permission for a residential building plan that meets all of these conditions:
- Total built-up area is up to 10,000 square feet.
- The building has up to 8 dwelling units.
- The building does not exceed 12 metres in height.
- The building is no more than stilt plus 3 floors, or ground plus 2 floors.
A residential proposal outside Chennai that exceeds any of these delegated limits is not included within the increased power given to local bodies.
Commercial buildings and layouts
G.O.(Ms).No.154 does not increase the delegated powers for commercial buildings. The existing delegation of powers for commercial building plans continues without change.
The source also states that building plans exceeding the delegated limits, building plans for other categories of buildings, and all layout plans are handled by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority or the Town and Country Planning Department, as applicable.
Who is affected
G.O.(Ms).No.154 is relevant to owners, buyers, developers and professionals dealing with qualifying residential building proposals before local bodies outside Chennai. It does not delegate these residential approval powers to Chennai.
The Government accepted a proposal from the Director of Town and Country Planning following a representation by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, Tamil Nadu. The Director of Town and Country Planning and the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority were directed to take action accordingly.
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
Can my local body approve a residential building of 9,000 square feet?
A local body outside Chennai may grant planning permission if the proposal also has no more than 8 dwelling units, does not exceed 12 metres in height, and is limited to stilt plus 3 floors or ground plus 2 floors.
Does G.O.(Ms).No.154 apply within Chennai?
No. The increased delegation of powers is expressly for local bodies except Chennai.
Did the commercial building approval limits increase?
No. G.O.(Ms).No.154 states that the existing delegation of powers for commercial buildings will continue.
Can a local body approve a layout plan under this delegation?
No. The source states that all layout plans are handled by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority or the Town and Country Planning Department, as applicable.
