Planning Permit / Building Permit
Planning Permit / Building Permit is official guidance from the Greater Chennai Corporation explaining the online procedure for obtaining planning permission, where applicable, and a building permit. It identifies the building categories handled through this process, the responsible officials, inspection and approval steps, and supporting documents required from applicants.
What the guidance covers
The Greater Chennai Corporation procedure applies to specified residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Applicants proposing other types of buildings must submit their planning permission application to CMDA.
The covered categories are:
- Residential buildings with stilt plus three floors, or ground floor plus two floors, up to 16 dwelling units, 12 metres in height and 10,000 square feet in area.
- Commercial buildings with stilt plus three floors, or ground floor plus two floors, up to 12 metres in height and 300 square metres of built-up area.
- Cottage, green or orange industries up to 18.30 metres in height, with unlimited built-up area, up to 200 horsepower and up to 100 labourers.
- Institutional buildings up to 18.30 metres in height, with unlimited built-up area.
Residential applications up to 5,000 square feet are processed by the concerned zonal offices. Applications above 5,000 square feet and up to 10,000 square feet are processed by the Headquarters, Works Department.
Application and inspection process
The applicant registers through the Greater Chennai Corporation citizen portal at https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/qcc, enters site details and selects a Registered Architect or Registered Engineer.
The selected professional visits the site, collects documents, prepares drawings and submits them online for automatic scrutiny against Development Regulations or Building Rules. The professional also pays the application fee online when admitting the application.
An Assistant Executive Engineer must visit the site within seven days after receiving the application. The inspection checks site boundaries, public road access, road width, nearby drains, channels or water bodies, and land zoning. The inspection report must be uploaded within 48 hours after inspection.
If more information is requested, the applicant or professional must upload it within 15 days. Otherwise, the application is processed using the available documents. After approval, payment verification and fee approval, the final permit is generated online and the applicant is notified by SMS and email.
Main supporting documents
The Greater Chennai Corporation checklist includes:
- Self-attested sale deed, lease deed or power of attorney.
- Patta, adangal, Field Measurement Book or town survey records, as applicable.
- An encumbrance certificate covering 13 years and meeting the stated recency requirement.
- Death, legal heirship or will documents, where applicable.
- An undertaking for development within 15 metres of a water body or water course.
- A no objection certificate from the responsible government agency if a culvert is proposed across a channel or water course.
- Structural safety documentation, relevant drawings and sewage treatment plan details.
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
Where do I start a Greater Chennai Corporation building permit application?
Register through the Greater Chennai Corporation citizen portal at https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/qcc, provide the site details and select a Registered Architect or Registered Engineer.
Who prepares and submits the building drawings?
The Registered Architect or Registered Engineer selected by the applicant visits the site, collects documents, prepares the drawings and submits them online for automatic scrutiny.
How quickly will the site inspection take place?
The Assistant Executive Engineer must make a site visit within seven days from receipt of the application and upload the inspection report within 48 hours after the inspection.
What happens if I do not provide additional documents when requested?
The applicant or Registered Architect or Registered Engineer has 15 days from the request to upload them. If they are not uploaded, the application is processed using the available documents.
