Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
G.O. (Ms.) No.86, Risk Based Classification and Delegation of Powers for Site Inspection, 2019
The Housing and Urban Development [UD1(2)] Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No.86, dated 14 June 2019, to introduce risk based building classification and assign site inspection powers in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and Directorate of Town and Country Planning areas. It determines the level of official who may inspect a proposed development based on factors including building height, dwelling units, built up area and site extent.
Purpose and scope
G.O. (Ms.) No.86 of the Housing and Urban Development [UD1(2)] Department supports the processing of planning permission and permit applications through the Single Window system. The inspection framework follows the building categories in the Tamil Nadu Combined Development Building Rules, 2019 and applies risk assessment based on development density and site size.
The framework covers the Chennai Metropolitan Area and areas under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The source also states that inspectors may be allocated automatically by computer according to the geographical location within the relevant unit or division.
Who is affected
G.O. (Ms.) No.86 affects applicants, owners and developers whose building proposals require site inspection. It also assigns inspection responsibilities to planning officials and, for some low risk proposals, Junior Engineers or Assistant Engineers in local bodies.
The document concerns the inspection stage of building and planning applications. It does not set out any fee, land ownership procedure or change of land use process.
Key inspection levels
The Housing and Urban Development [UD1(2)] Department classifies non high rise buildings by risk, development type, height, dwelling units, built up area and site extent.
- In the Chennai Metropolitan Area, low risk residential buildings up to 12 metres, not exceeding 3 dwelling units or 750 square metres of built up area, may be inspected by an Assistant Planner or a local body Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer.
- Low risk commercial buildings up to 12 metres and not exceeding 300 square metres of built up area have the same Chennai inspection level.
- Larger non high rise developments are assigned to an Assistant Planner, Deputy Planner or Chief Planner according to the listed thresholds.
- Chennai high rise developments up to 30 metres are assigned to an Assistant Planner. Those above 30 metres and up to 60 metres are assigned to a Deputy Planner. Those above 60 metres, or on sites exceeding one hectare, are assigned to a Chief Planner.
- In Directorate of Town and Country Planning areas, the corresponding inspection levels are Assistant Director, Deputy Director and Joint Director. Low risk commercial proposals may also be inspected by a local body Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer.
Future revision
G.O. (Ms.) No.86 states that the delegation of site inspection powers is subject to revision through future government orders. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Director of Town and Country Planning were directed to take further 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
Who can inspect a small residential building in the Chennai Metropolitan Area?
For a low risk residential building up to 12 metres, not exceeding 3 dwelling units or 750 square metres of built up area, the inspection may be carried out by an Assistant Planner or a local body Junior Engineer or Assistant Engineer.
Who inspects high rise buildings in Directorate of Town and Country Planning areas?
High rise buildings up to 30 metres are assigned to an Assistant Director. Buildings above 30 metres and up to 60 metres are assigned to a Deputy Director, while those above 60 metres or on sites exceeding one hectare are assigned to a Joint Director.
Does G.O. (Ms.) No.86 set planning permission fees?
No fee is stated in the document. It deals with risk classification and the level of official authorised to conduct site inspections.
Can these inspection assignments change later?
Yes. G.O. (Ms.) No.86 states that the delegation and powers for site inspection are subject to revision based on future government orders.
