G.O.Ms.No.1730, Preparation of Zonal Plan and Draft Zoning Regulations, 1974

What the order does

G.O.Ms.No.1730 of the Rural Development and Local Administration Department approves in principle draft zoning regulations prepared by the Director of Town and Country Planning. The regulations were intended for adoption by Local Planning Authorities as part of master plans for land use planning and control.

The Director was asked to provide copies to Local Planning Authorities after they were constituted. For the Madras Metropolitan Area, the Government accepted the view of the Member Secretary, Madras Metropolitan Development Authority, which was preparing comprehensive land use proposals and zoning regulations for possible incorporation into its final proposals.

Land use zones

The draft zoning regulations divide urban areas into six major zones:

• Residential use zone, divided into primary residential and mixed residential zones.
• Commercial use zone.
• Industrial use zone, divided into controlled industrial, general industrial, and special industrial and hazardous zones.
• Educational use zone.
• Public and semi-public use zone.
• Agricultural use zone.

Important permitted uses

The zoning schedule permits different activities in each zone:

• Primary residential zones allow homes, residents' professional consulting offices, specified daily-needs shops, nursery and primary schools, taxi and autorickshaw stands, parks and playfields.
• Mixed residential zones additionally allow hostels, community halls, religious buildings, clinics, banks, schools other than colleges, restaurants, hotels, retail shops and specified cottage industries.
• Commercial zones allow residential uses, shops, offices, markets, warehouses, cinemas, transport terminals, garages, certain laboratories and qualifying small industries that do not create health or safety hazards.
• Industrial zones distinguish controlled and general industries from hazardous activities involving combustible, explosive, toxic, corrosive, noxious or otherwise dangerous materials or processes.
• Educational zones allow educational and training institutions, primary residential uses, hostels, libraries, recreation clubs and restaurants.
• Public and semi-public zones cover government offices, hospitals, libraries, transport facilities, parks, stadiums and other public spaces.
• Agricultural zones allow farming, farm buildings, rural settlements, livestock farms, reservoirs, forestry, burial grounds and specified manufacturing or quarrying activities.

Relevance to property users

A property buyer, owner or professional can use the schedule to compare a proposed activity with the uses listed for the property's zone and the applicable locally adopted master plan. The Housing and Urban Development Department amendment dated 2 August 1993 permits installations up to 50 horsepower in commercial use zones.