Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013, Making DCR Applicable for All Composite Local Planning Areas and Single Local Planning Areas
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning issued Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell on June 7, 2013, reiterating instructions that subordinate offices must strictly follow DCR for all composite Local Planning Areas and single Local Planning Areas. Rules relating to hill areas, monumental areas, heritage zones and CRZ areas must also be followed where appropriate, and DCR must be suitably included in Master Plan reports sent for government consent or approval.
What the circular does
Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell, issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning on June 7, 2013, repeats an instruction previously given through Circular Roc. No. 8706/11-Spl. Cell dated April 1, 2011. The earlier instruction was based on a decision taken at a technical committee meeting held at the head office.
The Commissioner observed that some subordinate offices were not following the earlier instruction. The circular therefore directs those offices to follow DCR strictly across the identified planning areas.
Areas covered
Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell applies the instruction to both types of Local Planning Area named in the document:
- All composite Local Planning Areas.
- All single Local Planning Areas.
The circular does not limit the DCR instruction to selected offices or selected Local Planning Areas within these two categories.
Additional rules for special areas
Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell states that DCR must be followed while rules for certain specially regulated locations must also be applied where appropriate. These locations are:
- Hill areas.
- Monumental areas.
- Heritage zones.
- CRZ areas.
The document does not replace these area-specific rules. It requires the relevant rules to be followed alongside DCR in the appropriate areas.
Master Plan reports
Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell also addresses the preparation and forwarding of Master Plans. When a Master Plan for a composite Local Planning Area or a single Local Planning Area is forwarded for the consent or approval of the Government, DCR must be suitably incorporated into the Master Plan report.
Who is directly affected
The instructions are addressed to all subordinate offices of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning. Copies were also sent to Assistant Directors, the Regional Officer in charge at the head office, Planning Assistants and Supervisors at the head office.
For property buyers, owners and professionals, the practical relevance is that planning offices are instructed to use DCR across both composite and single Local Planning Areas, together with applicable special-area rules.
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 DCR apply to both composite and single Local Planning Areas?
Yes. Circular Roc. No. 11243/2013 - Spl.cell instructs subordinate offices to follow DCR strictly for all composite Local Planning Areas and all single Local Planning Areas.
Are special rules for hill, heritage or coastal areas replaced by DCR?
No. Rules relating to hill areas, monumental areas, heritage zones and CRZ areas must also be followed where appropriate.
Must DCR be included in a Master Plan report?
Yes. When a Master Plan for a composite or single Local Planning Area is forwarded for government consent or approval, DCR must be suitably incorporated into the report.
Why did the Commissioner issue this circular?
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning observed that some subordinate offices were not following instructions issued through an earlier circular dated April 1, 2011. The June 7, 2013 circular reiterates those instructions.
