G.O. (Ms.) No. 154, Urban Development, Delegation of Powers to Local Bodies, 2020
The Housing and Urban Development [UD4(3)] Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 154 on 13 October 2020, increasing the planning permission powers delegated to local bodies outside Chennai for qualifying residential buildings. The residential built-up area limit was increased from 7,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet, while the existing delegation for commercial buildings continued unchanged.
What the order changes
Government Order (Ms.) No. 154, issued by the Housing and Urban Development [UD4(3)] Department on 13 October 2020, expands the authority of local bodies outside Chennai to grant planning permission for certain residential buildings. The Government accepted a proposal from the Director of Town and Country Planning following a request from the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, Tamil Nadu, to simplify planning permission for small buildings.
The earlier residential delegation covered a total built-up area of up to 7,000 square feet. The new delegation raises that limit to 10,000 square feet while retaining the other stated restrictions.
Residential buildings covered
Local bodies outside Chennai may grant planning permission for a residential building only when it meets all of these limits:
- Total built-up area of up to 10,000 square feet.
- No more than 8 dwelling units.
- Height not exceeding 12 metres.
- No more than stilt plus 3 floors, or ground plus 2 floors.
A residential proposal within the 10,000 square feet limit does not fall within the delegation if it exceeds the dwelling unit, height or floor limits.
Commercial buildings
Government Order (Ms.) No. 154 does not increase the delegated powers for commercial buildings. It states that the existing delegation will continue.
The existing delegation described in the document covers:
- Commercial buildings with total built-up area up to 300 square metres and height not exceeding 12 metres for other local bodies within the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
- Commercial buildings with total built-up area up to 2,000 square feet and up to stilt plus 2 floors, or ground plus 1 floor, for other local bodies in the State.
Who handles other proposals
The document 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.
The Director of Town and Country Planning and the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority were directed to take action in line with the revised delegation.
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 a local body approve my 10,000 square foot residential building?
A local body outside Chennai may grant planning permission if the building 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 the delegation apply within Chennai?
No. Government Order (Ms.) No. 154 delegates the stated residential planning permission powers to local bodies except Chennai.
Did the order increase local body powers for commercial buildings?
No. The document states that the existing delegation of powers for commercial buildings will continue.
Who handles a building or layout that is outside the delegated limits?
Building plans exceeding the limits, plans for other building categories, and all layout plans are handled by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority or the Town and Country Planning Department, as applicable.
