UNIT-IV - LEGISLATION

Salient features of Architects' Act 1972

The Architects Act of 1972 came into force on 1st September 1972. It has following objectives as
mentioned in the preamble:
1) To prepare a register of qualified Architects on the basis of a schedule of approved qualifications
to safeguard the interest of common man.
2) 2) To regulate the profession of Architects by evolving a "Code of Ethics" and by laying down
minimum standards of architectural education in India

Since Independence in 1947, building construction activity in India has expanded on a phenomenal
scale. Many unqualified persons calling themselves as Architects are undertaking construction of
buildings which are uneconomical and unsafe; thus bringing into disrepute to the profession of
Architects. With the passing of this legislation, it will be unlawful for any person to designate himself
as Architect unless he has requisite qualification and is registered under the Act.

To achieve these objectives, a statutory body known as "Council of Architecture" (COA) has been
created.
It is headed by its President who is assisted by an Executive Committee and a Council consisting of
45 odd members representing the Indian Institute of Architects, Heads of Architectural Institutions
in India, Chief Architects of all states and Union territories, Union Ministry of Education (which now
forms a pm1 of Union Ministry of Human Resources Development), Institution of Engineers and
Institution of Surveyors. The Council is assisted by a Registrar - who is a full-time employee of the
Council. The Registrar is empowered to carry out certain functions prescribed by the Architects Act
FEATURES :
A corporate body known as Council of Architecture" is created. It
has powers for registration of Architects.
It enrolls persons holding recognized degree or diploma in Architecture; or persons who have
been practicing as Architects for a period of 5 years before September I, 1972.
It recommends to Government additional qualifications acceptable for registration.
It holds enquiries into the misconduct of Architects and takes suitable action.
It prescribes minimum standards of education and training of Architects in India.
This Act protects the title "Architect" but does not make the design, supervision and construction
of buildings as an exclusive responsibility of Architects. Other professionals like Engineers may
engage themselves in their normal vocation in respect of building construction work provided they
do not style themselves as Architects.

CHAPTERS:
The act consists of four chapters and a schedule that includes-
Chapter I:
This chapter contains the short title of the Act- viz Architects Act. 1972 and definitions of words such
as Architect, Council of Architecture, Indian Institute of Architects, etc.
Chapter II:
This chapter deals with Council of Architecture, its office bearers, their election, meetings of the
Council, formation of committees, officers and staff of COA, its finances, recognition of architectural
qualifications and of architectural institutions.
Chapter III:
This chapter deals with the procedure for registration of Architects, preparation of Register, fees for
initial registration, renewal, re-instatement, removal from register, procedure for inquiries relating
to misconduct etc.
Chapter IV:
This chapter deals with matters such as penalty for claiming to be registered, prohibition against the
use of title "Architect", powers of Central Government to make rules, power of Council to make
regulations, etc

SCHEDULE :
This schedule contains recognized Indian Degrees and Diplomas in Architecture and some
recognized qualifications in other countries. Summarizing the whole document of Architects Act,
1972, it requires following:
(a) "Architect" means a person whose name is for the time being entered in the register.
(b) "Council" means the Council of Architecture constituted under section3.
(c) "Indian Institute of Architects" means the Indian Institute of Architects registered under the
Societies Registration Act. 1860.
(d) "Recognized qualification" means any qualification in architecture for the time being included in
the Schedule or notified under section 15. .
(e) "Register" means the register of architects maintained under section23.
(f) "Regulation" means a regulation made under this Act by the Council.
(g) "Rule" means a rule made under this Act by the Central Government

ROLE OF COA
The Council of Architecture (COA) has been constituted by the Government of India under the
provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India, which came into force on
1st September, 1972.
The Act provides for registration of
Architects
standards of education
recognized qualifications
standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects.
The Council of Architecture is charged with the responsibility to regulate the education and practice
of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects.
For this purpose, the Government of India has framed Rules and Council of Architecture has framed
Regulations as provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of Government of India.

Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of Architect must have registered himself with
Council of Architecture. For the purpose of registration, one must possess the requisite qualification
as appended to the Architects Act, after having undergone the education in accordance with the
Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education)Regulations, 1983.

The registration with Council of Architecture entitles a person to practice the profession of
architecture, provided he holds a Certificate of Registration with up-to-date renewals. The
registration also entitles a person to use the title and style of Architect.

The title and style of architect can also be used by a firm of architects, of which all partners are
registered with COA. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies, societies and other juridical
persons are not entitled to use the title and style of architect nor are they entitled to practice the
profession of architecture.

If any person falsely claims to be registered or misuses title and style of architect, such acts
tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, which is punishable under section 36or 37 (2) of
the Architects Act, 1972.
The practice of profession of an architect is governed by the Architects (Professional Conduct)
Regulations, 1989

Pursuant to these Regulations, the Council of Architecture has framed guidelines governing the
various aspects of practice.

An architect is required to observe professional conduct as stipulated in the Regulations of 1989 and
any violation thereof shall constitute a professional misconduct, which will attract disciplinary action
as stipulated under section 30 of the Architects Act, 1972.

There are 108 institutions, which impart architectural education in India leading to recognized
qualifications. The standards of education being imparted in these institutions (constituent
colleges/departments of universities, deemed universities, affiliated colleges/schools, IITs, NITs and
autonomous institutions) is governed by Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of
Architectural Education)

Constitution of Council of Architecture

The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute, with effect from
such date as may be specified in the notification, a Council to be known as the Council of
Architecture, which shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with
power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and
may by that name sue or be sued.

The Head Office of the Council shall be at Delhi or at such other place as the Central Government
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
The Council shall consist of the following members, namely-

five architects possessing recognized qualifications elected by the Indian Institute of Architects
from among its members:

Two persons nominated by the All India Council for Technical Education established by the
Resolution of the Government of India in the late Ministry of Education NO.F. 16-10/44-E.III, dated
the 30thNovember, 1945.

Five persons elected from among themselves by heads of architectural institutions in India
imparting full-time instruction for recognized qualifications.

The Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central Government to which the Government
business relating to defense and railways has been allotted and the head of the Architectural
Organization in the Central Public Works Department, ex official

One person nominated by the Central Government.

An architect from each State nominated by the Government of that State.

Two persons nominated by the Institution of Engineers (India) from among its members.

One person nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India from among its members
Validity of Act or Proceeding of Council Executive Committee or Other Committees not to be
invalidated by Reason of Vacancy, etc.

No act or proceeding of the Council or the Executive Committee or any other Committee shall be
invalid merely by reason of

Any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of the Council, the Executive Committee or any other
committee, or

Any defect in the election or nomination of a person acting as a member thereof, or

Any irregularity in procedure not affecting the merits of the case.

Meetings of Council
The Council shall meet at least once in every six months at such time and place and shall observe
such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings as may be prescribed
by regulations.

Unless otherwise prescribed by regulations, nine members of the Council shall form a quorum, and
all the acts of the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting.
In the case of an equal division of votes, the President, or in his absence the Vice-President, or in the
absence of both, the member presiding over the meeting, shall have and exercise a second or
casting vote.
Recognition of Qualifications Granted By Authorities in India
The qualifications included in the Schedule or notified under section 15shall be recognized
qualifications for the purposes of this Act.
Any authority in India which grants an architectural qualification not included in the Schedule may
apply to the Central Government to have such qualification recognized, and the Central
Government, after consultation with the Council, may, by notification in the Official Gazette amend
the Schedule so as to include such qualification therein.
Provided that until the first Council is constituted, the Central Government shall, before, issuing any
notification as aforesaid, consult, an expert committee consisting of three members to be appointed
by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

Recognition of Architectural Qualifications Granted by Authorities in Foreign Countries

The Central Government may, after consultation with the Council, direct, by notification in the
Official Gazette, that an architectural qualification granted by any University or other institution in
any country outside India in respect of which a scheme of reciprocity for the recognition of
architectural qualification is not in force, shall be a recognized qualification for the purposes of this
Act or, shall be so only when granted after a specified date or before a specified date.

Provided that until the first Council is constituted the Central Government shall, before issuing any
notification as aforesaid, consult the expert committee set up under the provision to sub section (2)
of section 14
Power to Require Information as to Courses of Study and Examinations

Every authority in India which grants a recognized qualification shall furnish such information as the
Council may, from time to time, require as to the courses of study and examinations to be
undergone in order to obtain such qualification, as to the ages at which such courses of study and
examinations are required to be undergone and such qualification is conferred and generally as to
the requisites for obtaining such qualification.

Architectural Education
The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of architectural education required for granting
recognized qualifications by colleges or institutions in India.

Professional Conduct
The Council may by regulations prescribed standards of professional conduct and etiquette anda
code of ethics for architects.

Regulations made by the 'Council under sub-section.

May specify which violations thereof shall constitute in famous conduct in any professional respect,
that is to say, professional misconduct, and such provision shall have effect notwithstanding
anything contained in any law for the time being in force
Chennai Corporation Building Rules 1972

[Go.Ms.No. 1009, Rural Development and Local Administration, dated 19th May, 1972.]

Published in part V (Extraordinary), page 1 of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, dated 12.6.1972.

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 191 and Sub-section (1) of section 303 of the Tamil
Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920_ (Tamil Nadu Act V of 1920) and in super session of the rules
published with Local Self Government Department Notification No.31, Health, Published at pages 2
to 16 of Supplement to Part I - A of the Fort St. George Gazette, dated the 4th August, 1942 as
subsequently amended in Department Notification No. 550 of 1996, dated the 7th June, 1966,
published at pages 557-574 of Part V of the St. George Gazette, dated the 5th June, 1966, the
Government of Tamil Nadu hereby makes the following rules for regulating and restricting the
buildings and use of sites for buildings

RULES
1. Short title, extent and commencement,
(1) These rules may be called Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Building Rules, 1972.
(2) They shall apply to the whole of the area which has been or, may hereafter, be declared a
Municipality under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 (Tamil Nadu Act V of 1920).
(3) They shall come into force at once
2. Definitions.
In these rules, unless there is any thing repugnant in the subject or context-
I. 'Act' means the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1920 (Tamil Nadu V of 1920);
II. 'Appendix' means an appendix to these rules;
III. 'Dwelling' means family occupation in a building which not designed or intended to be used as
a dwelling house;
IV. 'Dwelling house' means a house designed or intended to be used wholly or principally for
human together with such outbuildings, latrines and other erections as are ordinarily used or
intended to be used therewith;
V. 'Government' meant the State Government;
VI. 'Plot
VII. 'Site for building' include all the land within the cartilage of the building and forming its
appurtenances such as outbuilding yard, court open space and garden attached there to or
intends to be occupied there with;
VIII. 'Alteration' means a change or addition in construction, use or arrangement of a dwelling or a
building;
IX. ' Framed buildings' means a building in which the loads either dead or live are carried by
timber, steel or reinforced concrete framing;
X. 'Habitable room' means a room intended for living, eating or sleeping for a person or persons
by not including storerooms, toilet, baths and corridor or passage;
XI. 'Dead Load' means the weight of all permanent stationary construction becoming part of a
structure;
XII. 'Live Load' means all loads except dead loads that may be imposed on a structure; wind loads
will also be considered as live loads;
XIII. 'External wall' means an outer wall or vertical enclosure of any building;
XIV. 'Partition wall' means a wall which supports no load other than its own weight;
XV. 'Load Bearing Wall' means wall that carries dead load other than its own weight;
XVI. 'Structure' means something constructed or built having a fixed base on or other connection to
the ground or other structure;
XVII. 'Storey' means the part of a building between the upper surface of the floor and upper surface
of the floor next above or the under side of roof;
XVIII.'Qualified Engineer or Architect' means any person having a degree or diploma of University or
recognized institution in Civil Engineering or Architecture;
XIX. 'Floor Area Ratio'
XX. 'Plot coverage' means the extent to which the plot is covered with a building or structure and
this is expressed as percentage or the ratio of the built up area to plot area;
XXI. 'Solar assisted water heating system' means a device to heat water using solar energy as heat
source;
XXII. 'Auxiliary back up' means buildings coming under the categories mentioned in clauses (a) to (g)
of time - I in Appendix - I for which construction plans are to be submitted to the Executive
Authority under rule 3;"]

Application for approval of buildings other than huts and sites therefore.-
(1) Every person, who intends to construct, reconstruct or alter or add to a building other than a
hut, shall submit an application to the executive Authority for the approval of the site and for
permission to execute the work in the forms specified in Appendix A, with such Variations as
circumstances may require.
(2) It shall be accompanied by-
I. A site plan ( in triplicate ) of the land on which the building is to be constructed, reconstructed
or altered or added to, drawn or reproduced in a clear and indelible manner on suitable and
durable material and complying with the requirement specified in Appendix B as far as may be
necessary;
II. A plan or plans (in triplicate) of the building to be constructed, reconstructed or altered or
added to drawn or reproduced in a clear and intelligible manner on suitable and durable
material and showing a ground plan, plans of elevations of each floor and sections of the
buildings and complying with the requirements specified in Appendix c; and;
III. A specification (in triplicate) complying with the requirements specified in (Appendix-D), as
far as may be necessary.
(3) The application as well as the plans and specifications shall be signed by the owner of the site
and building or be accompanied by a letter or authority or consent from the owner of the site and
building if the applicant himself is not the owner. They shall also be signed by a licensed builder,
surveyor, architect or engineer, in case the byelaws of the municipal council require the compulsory
employment of a licensed builder, surveyor, architect or engineer in the construction, reconstruction
or alteration of or addition to a building.
(4) The Executive Authority may require the applicant,
(a) To furnish him with any information which has not already been furnished; or
(b) To satisfy him that there are no objections which may lawfully be taken to the grant of
permission to execute the work.
4. Application for approval of, and sites therefore, huts
(1) Every person who intends to construct, reconstruct or alter or add to a hut shall submit an
application to the Executive Authority in the from specified in Appendix A-I together with a site plan
in triplicate of the land in which the hut is to be constructed, reconstructed, or altered or added to
complying with the requirements specified in Appendix B as far as may be necessary. He shall also
furnish information as to the purpose for which the hut is proposed to be constructed,
reconstructed or altered or added to.
(2) If is intended to use the hut or part thereof for any of the purpose specified in Schedule V to the
Act or as a stage, cattle shed or cow-house, it shall be expressly stated in such application.
(3) The Executive Authority may require the applicant.-
(a) To furnish him with any information which has not already been furnished; or
(b) to satisfy him that there are no objections which may lawfully be taken to the grant of
permission to execute the work.
(4) If any information required under sub-rules (1) to (3) and if in the opinion of the Executive
Authority incomplete or defective, he may require further information to be furnished.
(5) If any requisition made under sub-rules (3) and (4) is not compiled with, within one month, his
application shall be rejected.

Proximity of conducts or aerial lines-Refusal of permission-

(1) Before granting permission for the construction or the addition or alteration to a building,
Executive Authority shall take into consideration the proximity of aerial lines if any to the building
and shall refuse permission for such construction, reconstruction addition or alteration, unless
suitable arrangements are made by the applicant to meet the requirements of the rules made under
the Indian Electricity Act.

(2) Permission to the construction or reconstruction of, or addition or alteration to a building shall
be refused in case where the clearance between the building and the aerial lines is less than-
(a) 1.5 meters for low tension lines, 1.75 meters for high tension lines from accessible portions of
buildings measured horizontally and 1.25 meters for both low tension and high tension from
inaccessible portion measured horizontally.
(b) 2.5 meters from portions of buildings not accessible to persons, measured vertically; and
(c) 4.5 meters from accessible portion of buildings, measured vertically.
(3) The Executive Authority may require the applicant;
(a) to furnish him with any information which has not already been furnished;
(b) to satisfy him that there are no objections which may lawfully be taken to the grant of
permission to execute the work.
(4) No site lying within the distance of 30 meters form the Railway boundary shall be used for the
construction of "Building" wall or other masonry construction with out the consent of Railway
authorities who may refuse such consent if in their opinion, the site is required for Railways.

6. Sites-
(1) No site shall be approved for construction or execution of a dwelling or dwelling house unless
it has an extent of not less than 95 square meters and a minimum width of 9 meters;
Provided that in respect of reconstruction in built up areas or residential localities, where the
houses are so situated that they in a chain, the above minimum extent and the width of the site
obtaining prior to reconstruction, whichever is less, shall apply;
Provided further this rule will not apply to shops, offices and go downs:
1[Provided also that this rule will not apply to the plots in respect of the layout approved by the
Director of Town and Country Planning or Madras Metropolitan Development authority in respect of
Madras Metropolitan area or by the officers to whom such powers are delegated by them for
development by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and similar
Quasi-Government Agencies.]

(2) No site, which would admit storm-water draining into it, owing to its level or location, shall be
used for the construction of a building, unless arrangements are made' to prevent effectually the
flooding of the site, either by draining into a storm water course, it one is available, or by raising the
level of the site to an adequate height by the deposit of layers of sound and non-perishable
material.
(3) No site, wherein soil and subsoil would be saturated with water that dampness of the floor and
walls of the building would be inevitable, shall be used for the construction of a building unless a
damp-proof course of a type, approved by the Executive Authority, its provided in basement of the
building not higher than the level of the lowest floor and unless the flooring is made with materials
of the lowest floor and unless the flooring is made with materials approved by the Executive
Authority which would effectively prevent the dampness rising in the floor of the building.

(4) No site be used for the construction of a building intended for public worship or religious
purposes, without the prior approval, of the Collector of the district who may refuse such approval,
it in his opinion, the use, purpose of the site and building is likely to endanger public peace and
order.
Provided that an appeal shall lie against the Collector's decision to the Government who may issue
such orders as they deem fit.

(5) No site, which is situated within a distance of 90 meters from a place used, as a burning or burial
place or ground shall be used for the construction of any building without the previous approval of
the Health Officer and no building intended for human habitation shall be built within 90 meters of
such burning of burial place of ground unless such as burning or burial place or ground was closed
for burning of corpses and remained so closed for a period of not less than five years:
Provided that, no existing building situated within 90 meters from any burning or burial place or
ground shall be reconstructed, or added to, without the previous approval of the Health Officer.

7. Location of building.
Every person, who constructs, reconstructs, or alters or add to building, shall be wherever the site is
within 15 meters of any tank, reservoir, water-course, river, fresh water channel or well, carry out
such measure as may be necessary or as the Executive Authority may direct, for the purpose of
preventing any contamination of any risk of the drainage of the building passing into, such tank,
reservoir, water course, river, fresh water channel or well.
8. Foundation.
(1) The foundation of every building newly constructed shall be:
(I) so constructed as to satisfy the Executive Authority that they will sustain the combined load of
the building and of the superimposed load and transmit these loads to the subsoil in such manner
as not to impair the stability of building or part thereof by the settlement caused by the pressure of
such loads; and i
(II) taken down to such a depth or so constructed as to render the building immune from; damage
from movements due to seasonal variations in the context of moisture in the ground.
(2) Every person, who constructs, reconstructs adds to or alters a building, shall take such steps of
do such things as the Executive Authority may direct or require, so as to secure proper stability of
the building and to render the building immune from any settlement or movement that may be
caused in the soil resistance, lateral escape of soft soil, sliding of the substratum on sloping ground
distributed on concentrated lateral pressure or other causes.

9. Plinths.
(1) Every person, constructs, reconstructs, adds or alters, a building shall comply with the following
requirements:
The ground floor or lowest floor of the building shall be at such as will allow of the effectual
drainage of that floor. Unless the Executive Authority, having regard to the circumstances of the
case, directs otherwise, it shall be not less than 45 centimeters above the ground or site level;
Provided that cattle-shed and buildings of similar nature not intended for human occupation may
have the plinth and the lowest floor thereof, not less than 22 centimeters above the ground or site
level, unless the Executive Authority, having regard to the circumstances of the case, directs,
otherwise.
(2) Sub-rule (1) shall not apply to a cellar of granary below in the ground floor which is intended for
storage only and constructed on dry soil or in such manner as to be impervious to moisture.
10. Superstructures-Walls, floors and rooms.
(1) Every person who constructs a building shall cause every wall to be constructed of:
(a) good whole bricks or stones properly bended and solidly put together with good jointing
material, compounded of good mud, good lime, or good cement and clay and or other suitable and
durable material; or
(b) other good, hard and suitable incombustible material, properly and solidly put together.
(2) Sub-rule (1) shall not apply not apply to huts or to cases where the permission of the Executive
Authority has been obtained under section 195 or sub-section (2) of section 217 of the Act.
(3) Every person, who constructs a building, shall cause every wall to be built of sufficient thickness
to ensure safety and stability regard being had to the length of the wall and the height of the
building, the purpose for which the building is intended to be used, the dead load comprising the
actual weight of walls, floors, stairs, landings, roofs and all other permanent constructions
comprised in such building the super imposed load in respect of such building comprising all loads
other than the dead load and also the maximum permissible loads for different kinds of work and
materials of construction.
(4) (I) Every person who constructs a building shall cause every pillar, piles, frame works, beam and
other construction carrying load in the building to be so designed and constructed as to withstand
the combined deadload and the superimposed load.
(5) (I) Every person, who constructs a building, shall cause the floor and roof to be so designed and
constructed as to withstand the combined deadload, due to their own weight and other
superimposed load to which such floors and roofs may be subject to.
(II) The flooring of every such building shall be laid or paved with stones, cuddapah slabs, cement
tiles or such other hard material, impervious to attacks by rat and to moisture, as may be required
by the Executive Authority.
(6) Unless otherwise specified by the Executive Authority, the dead load of the weight of walls,
floors and roofs and the superimposed load expressed in terms of deadload as set forth in
Appendices E and F shall be adopted.
(7) If the superimposed load on any wall, floor or roofs is to exceed that specified in Appendices E
and F, such greater load shall be provide for with an equivalent margin of safety.
(8) In the cases of any floor or roof, intended to be used for a purpose for which a superimposed
load is not specified in Appendices E and F, the superimposed load to be carried on such floor shall
be provided with an equivalent margin of safety.
(9) For stairs and landings, the superimposed load shall be taken as equivalent to a distributed load
of not less than 390 to 394 kgs/square meter but each step shall be capable of safely supporting a
concentrated load at any point of not less than sixty-eight kilograms ordinarily.
(10) For a roof the plane of which inclines upwards at a quarter angle than 20 degrees with the
horizontal, the superimposed load, which shall for the purpose, be deemed to include wind pressure
or casual load, shall be taken at 48.824 kgms/square meter of sloping surface normal t such sloping
surface on either side
(11) For all other roofs, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Authority, the superimposed
load shall be taken at 195-295 kgm/square meter measured on a horizontal plane.
(12) For all roofs of a domestic building unless otherwise specified by the Executive Authority, the
superimposed load shall be taken by at 273-416 kgm/square meter measured on a horizontal plane.
(13) In case where a rolling load actuated by mechanical power, is to be provided for, such rolling
load shall be taken as equivalent to statistical load 50 per cent in excess of the actual rolling load.
(14) Partition and other structures, superimposed on floor and roofs, may be included in the
superimposed load, provided the weight of the partition or other structure per square meter of
base does not exceed the permissible load per square meter of floor or roofs area. Partitions and
other structures of greater weight shall be specifically provided for.
(15) Every person, who constructs a dwelling house or other domestic building, shall cause every
external wall and every main wall to be built, unless otherwise specified in Appendix G. The
Thickness specified in Appendix G shall apply only to walls built in horizontal loads or courses of
good whole bricks or of suitable stones or other blocks or other blocks or hard and incombustible
material.
(16) Every portion of the building shall be so designed as to be within the safe permissible loads for
different materials of construction.
(17) The Provisions of this rule as far as may be, apply to reconstruction of buildings.

11. Space about buildings and height of buildings.-

(1) This rule applies only to buildings, newly constructed or reconstructed, to the conversion into a
dwelling house of a building not originally constructed as a dwelling house and to additions made to
existing building, irrespective of whether the new construction, conversion or addition to is in the
ground floor, first floor or any other upper floor. In the case of an addition to any existing building
the rule shall apply in respect of addition only and not to the whole building.
(2) In the case of a public or private street not being a conservancy lane, no building (except a
plinth steps and other similar structure not being above the ground floor level of the building and a
fence or compound wall no exceeding 2.4 meters in height) shall be built-
within 1.3 meters of the boundary of the street; and in the space between the building line and the
street alignments as defined under section 166 of the Act
Provided that any sunshade, canopy eaves or other similar projecting portions of the building may
be allowed to a width not exceeding 0.6 meter and above a height of 2.5 meters, measured from
ground level, if no pillar, wall or other structure is erected in the open space for support.
(3) The height of a building shall not exceed one and a half times the width of the street
immediately abutting it plus the open space between the street and the building provided that this
height may be exceeded to the extent of 1 meter for every 30 centimeter by which the
corresponding portion of the building is set back from the street:
2[XXX]
12. Parking space.-
Every person intending to construct, reconstruct or alter or add to a building other than a hut, shall-
(a) Provide for the use of the occupants and of persons visiting the premises for the purposes of
profession, trade, business, recreation or any other work necessary parking space and parking
facilities within the site, to the satisfaction of the Executive Authority, and conforming to the
standards specified in the model bye-laws for parking standards; and
(b) Make necessary provision for the circulation of vehicles gaining access to and from the premises
into the street

13. Dimensions of rooms.-

(1) Every room (other than a kitchen, bath room or store room) whether newly constructed or
reconstructed and intended and intended to be used for purposes of human habitation, shall have-
(a) a height on an average of not less than 2.75 meters and not less 2.1 meters at any point
measured from the top surface of the floor of the room to the underside of the floor structure of
roof structure above;
(b) a clear superficial area of not less than 7.5 square meters; and
(c) a width of not less than 2.5 meters.
(2) Every bath room, water closet and the bath room-cum-water closet whether newly constructed,
or reconstructed shall have the following 3[minimum] dimensions-
(i) Bath room : 1.8 square meters with 1.5 meters by
1.2 meters
(ii) Water closet meter by 1.2 : 1.08 square meters with 0.9
meters
(iii) Bath room-cum-water closet : 2.7 square meters with 1.5 meters
by 1.8 meters.
14. Ventilation of building.-
(1) Every room, which is intended for human habitation, shall be furnished with sufficient number of
windows and ventilators totally providing a ventilation area of not less than one-eight of the floor
area of the room, affording effectual means of ventilation by direct communication with the
external air.
(2) Windows and ventilators which open into a verandah shall be deemed to communicate with the
external air, provided that such verandah is not more than 3.75 meters wide and open throughout
its entire length, into space open to the sky, the width of such open space being double width of the
verandah, and in no case less than 1.75 meters.
(3) Every domestic building shall be so constructed that every room intended to be used for
purposes of human habitation shall have at least one side abutting for a length of not less than 2.5
meters on an open space, either external or internal. Such open space shall be not less than 1.7
meters in width.
(4) A building shall not be held to contravene sub-rule (3) if one side of a room abuts on an external
or internal verandah which in turn abuts for not less than half of its length on such open space.
(5) Every open space external or internal required by the rule shall be, and be kept, free from any
erection thereon and open to the sky.
(6) This rule shall apply to kitchens and storeroom but not to lavatories and bathrooms which shall
have windows or ventilations of not less than 0.5 square meters abutting such open space:
Provided that the rule shall not apply to rooms provided with mechanical ventilation or air-
conditioning:
4[Provided further that this rule will not apply to the plots in respect of the layout approved by the
Director of Town and Country Planning or Chennai Metropolitan area or by the officers to the Tamil
Nadu Housing Board, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and Quasi-Government Agencies.]
15. Stairs.-
(1) All storeyed buildings shall be provided with in sufficient number of staircases, depending on the
number of occupants using the building, in suitable locations as may be accessible to the occupants
within a distance of not mote than 18 meters.
(2) All stairs shall comply with the following requirements-
(a) Width of stairs-
The clear width of all stairways shall not be less than 60 centimeters excluding the handrails.
(b) Headroom -
All stairways shall have at least 2.1 meters of clear headroom. measured perpendicularly from the
nosing.
(c) Treads and risers-
Treads and risers shall be so proportioned that the sum of two risers and a tread width is not less
than 60 centimeter and more than 62.5 centimeters. No riser shall be more than 17.5 centimeter
and no tread width less than 25 centimeters. There shall be no variation in the width of trades or
the heights of risers in any one flight of stairs. No stairway should ordinarily be permitted cutting a
crossing any window. Such as not to involve undue danger ^ of slipping.
(d) Landings-
No stairway shall have a height of more than 3.75 meters between landings not less than two risers
between consecutive landings, the landings shall have a dimension not less than the width of stairs,
measured in the direction of the run.
(e) Rails -
Stair shall have walls or well secured balustrades or guards on both sides. Hand rails shall be placed
not less than 75 centimeters and not more than 1 meter above the nosings of the trades.
(f) Space under stairs-
The space beneath any stairway built in whole or in part of combustible materials except handrails
shall be left entirely open.
(g) Ventilation for staircases- Every staircase shall be lighted and ventilated to the Satisfaction of the
Executive Authority from and open space.
There shall be provided, a window or windows or ventilator or ventilators for an aggregate area of
atleast 1.5 square meters in each floor in such of the wall of the staircase room as about 1.75
meters open space to light and ventilates such staircase. The above provision can be dispensed with
when an open well for light and ventilation within the space enclosed by the stair way and its
landings is proposed to be provided the least horizontal dimensions of which are equal to twice the
width of the staircase provide that there shall be in the roof directly over such staircase well a
ventilating sky light provided with ridge ventilators or else, such sky lights shall be provided with
fixed or movable louvers to the satisfaction of the Executive Authority. The glassed roof of the sky
light shall not be less than square 3.75 meters in area. No lift or any other fixture shall be erected in
such staircase well.
(h) Passage giving access to staircase-
Even passage in a building in the ground floor shall, in no part, be less than the width of the
staircase of such building to which it gives access. Provided that if only one such passage gives
access to more than one staircase, its minimum width shall be equal to the width of such staircases
plus one half of the total width of the remaining staircases.
(3) Minimum width of doors, corridors or passage-
No door way or corridor or passage serving as exit to a building shall be less than 1 meter in width.
The doors of kitchen, bath and flush-out latrine shall not be less than 0.06 meter clear in width and
the passage leading to the same shall not be less than 0.75 meters:
5[Provided that this rule shall not apply to the plots un respect of the layout approved by the
Director of Town and Country Planning or Chennai Metropolitan area or by the Officers to whom
such powers are delegated by them, for development by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, and the
Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and similar Quasi-Government Agencies.]
16. Chimney and flues.-
Every place, where fire is kindled habitually, such as in kitchen or bathing place, shall be provided
with efficient means for the escape of smoke or the products of combustion, directly from every
fireplace. The means would depend upon the nature of roofing over the room in which the fire
place is provided. In a tiled roof, the means would depend upon the nature of roofing over the room
in which the fire place is provided. In a tiled roof, the appropriate means should be adopted as the
minimum requirements; in the case of terraced roofs a flue of adequate height and size should be
provided.
17. Drains and sanitary conveniences.-
(i) Every building shall be provide with means for the effectual drainage of storm water sullage and
swage from the premises and sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences for the use of the
occupants of the buildings.
(i) There shall be atleast one water tap and arrangement for drainage in the vicinity of each water-
closet or group or water-closets in all buildings.]
(iii) Each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage disposal
system shall have, at least, one water-closet and one kitchen type sink. Its desirable that a bath or
shower shall be to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene.
(iv) All other structures for human occupancy or use on premises abutting on a sewer or with a
private sewage disposal system shall have, at least, one water-closet and one kitchen type sink. Its
desirable that a bath or shower shall be to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and personal
hygiene.
(v) (a) Dwelling with individual convenience shall have atlest the following fitments, namely:-
(1) One bath room provided with a tap;
(2) One water-closet; and
(3) One sing either in the floor or raised from the floor.
(b) Where only one water-closet is provide in a dwelling the bath and water-closet shall be
separately accommodated.
(c) Dwellings without individual convenience shall have the following fitments, namely:-
(1) One water tap with draining arrangements in each tenement;
(2) One water-closet and one bath for every two tenements; and
(3) Water tap in common bath room and common water-closets.]
Explanation.- The drainage arrangements and the sanitary conveniences shall be in accordance with
such rules or byelaws as may have been framed in that behalf.
8[17-A. The requirements for fitments for drainage and sanitation in the use of building other than
residential shall be in accordance with Appendix 8a[H].]
8b[17-B. Fitment of solar assisted water heating system.- The requirements for fitment or solar
assisted water heating system in buildings shall be in accordance with Appendix-1]

18. Exemptions.-
The following buildings shall be exempted from the operation of these rules -
(i) Any building which is the property of the State of Central Government;
(ii) Any buildings constructed, reconstructed, altered or added to ot intended be constructed,
reconstructed, altered or added to by the Government in accordance with such plan and in such
manner as may be approved or directed in pursuance of any statutory provisions in that behalf.
(iii) Any building constructed, reconstructed, altered or added to or intended to be constructed,
reconstructed, and altered or added to, to function solely as a temporary hospital for the reception
and theatre for persons suffering from infectious disease.
19. Grant of exemptions.-
(1) (a) The Government or any other authority empowered by the Government by a notification
published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, may either suo motu or on application exempt
from the operation of all or any of the provision of these rules, for reasons to be recorded in writing,
any building or any specified class, of buildings provide that such application is made within sixty
days from the date of receipt of the order of the executive authority against which such application
is made to the Government or the authority empowered by the Government, as the case may be.
(b) The Government, may either suo motu or on appeal against any orders of the authority
empowered by them, pass such orders, as deemed fit, provided such an appeal is made within thirty
days from the date of receipt of the order of the authority empowered by the Government;
Provided that it is open to the Government or the authority empowered by Government, as the
case may be, to condone any delay for reasons to be recorded in writing, if applications ' under
byelaw (a) above or appeals under this clause are not made to Government or the authority
empowered by the Government or the authority empowered by the Government, as the case may
be, within the prescribed time.
(2) Any exemption 'granted under this rule shall not be deemed to be approval or permission for
construction or reconstruction of and building required by or under the Tamil Nadu District
Municipalities Act, 1920.]

20. Space about huts.-

No portion of a hut shall be placed within 1.75 meters of a masonry or wooden building provided
that there shall be a minimum open space of 1.25 meters between the waves or between the wave
of the hut and a masonry wall as the case may be.
21. Parking space and access ways.-
Before granting permission for the construction or reconstruction of or addition or alteration to the
building applied for, the Executive Authority / Commissioner shall take into consideration the
provisions made in the plan for parking space and parking facility under rule 72 above and their
adequacy with reference to the standard specified under rule 12 and shall refuse permission for
such construction or reconstruction, addition or alteration unless suitable arrangements are made
by the applicant to provide to the satisfaction of the Executive Authority / Commissioner the
required parking space, parking facilities and access ways.

22. Height of huts.-

(1) No hut shall be of more than one storey nor exceed 3.75 meter in height, measured from the top
of the plinth to junction of the caves and wall.
(2) The wall of the hut, at the junction of the caves and wall, shall in no place be less than 1.75
meters in height measured from the top level of the plinth.
23. Alignments of huts.-
On the land exclusively set apart for the construction of huts, the juts shall be built in continuous
lines in accordance with an alignment to be determined by the Municipal Council.
24. Passage between rows of huts.-
Where an alignment determined under rule 21 does not correspond with the alignment of a street,
a passage of atleast six meters measured from cave to cave shall be left between the rows of huts
abutting on such alignment.
25. Right to use passages by municipal authorities.-
All passages referred to in rule 23 shall remain private property subject to a right in the municipal
authorities to send carts among them or otherwise make use of them for any of the purposes of the
Act
26. Open courtyard among huts.-
Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 21, huts may, with the special sanction of the municipal council,
be built so as to form an open courtyard comprising atleast one-fourth of the whole area occupied by the
huts and courtyard.
27. Space between huts.-
Between any two huts, there shall be a space of atleast 1.24 meters measured from cave to cave.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL RULES FOR CHENNAI METROPOLITAN

PART 1 - PERMISSION AND ZONES
Written Permission for Development :
1. (a) No person shall carryout any development as defined in clause (13) of section 2 of the Tamil Nadu
Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 35 of 1972) without the written permission of the
Authority or such other Executive Authority of Local Body / Agency / person to whom this power has been
delegated by the Authority.
(b) Any site approval of planning permission for any development under these rules shall not absolve the
applicant of his responsibility to get clearance or permission under other Acts and Rules.
(c) For the uses specified in items (a) to (e) of clause (13) of section 2 of the Act the question of issuing
planning permission does not arise as much as they do not constitute DEVELOPMENT as defined under
the Act.
Manner of obtaining permission :
2. (a) For the purpose of obtaining planning permission, the applicant shall submit to the Member-
Secretary of the Authority or to such other Authority or person as designated by the Authority.
(i) An application in form A accompanied by plans, specifications, etc., mentioned therein the case
of laying out of land for building purposes. (ii) An application in Form B accompanied by
detailed plans, specifications, site plan, topo-plan to a radius of 100 metres drawn to a scale of 1:500 and
such other details as may be prescribed from time to time in case of development of land and buildings,
change of land and building use in case of site approval, to know whether the particular type of
development contemplated is permissible or not.
(iii) Along with an application the applicant should furnish in the form perscribed in Annexure-XIV obtained
from the owner, builder, promoter or power of attorney holder to the effect that they are jointly and
severally responsible to carry out developments in accordance with the permission granted and also for
payment of development charges levied from time to time by the Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority and also liable for penal actions for developments made in contravention of these rules, for such
categories of developments like special buildings, group developments and multistoreyed buildings and
other developments as defined in the said rules as may be approved by the said
Authority.

2. (b) If the plan and the information give under sub-rule 2(a) do not give all the particulars necessary to
deal satisfactory with the case the Member-Secretary or other Authority or person concerned may, within
30 days from the date of receipt of the plans and other particulars require the production of such further
particulars and details as he deems necessary.
(i) The written permission shall be issued by the Member-Secretary or such other authority or person
designated for the purpose by the Authority.
(ii) While granting permission the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority or other Authority or
person to whom the Authority had delegated its powers may impose such restrictions and conditions as may
be necessary under these rules.

2 (c) The applicant, owner, builder promoter or power of attorney holder shall not put the buildings to use
without obtaining the completion certificate from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, for such
categories of buildings like special buildings, group developments and Multi-storyed buildings as defined in
the said rules as may be approved by the said Authority.

3. (a) Development to be in conformity with these rules :

(i) No development shall be in contravention of these rules.
(ii) No land, premises or building shall be changed or put to use not in conformity with the provisions of
these rules.
(b) Detailed Development Plans :
In the case of an area comprised in a Detailed Development plan approved under the Act, the
developments therein shall be in conformity with the Development plan. All detailed town planning schemes
sanctioned under the Tamilnadu Town Planning Act, 1920 (Tamil Nadu Act. VII of 1920) stand repealed to
the extent that all developments therein shall be regulated with reference to the equivalent land use
classifications and that the Development Control Rules governing each use zone as may be in force from
time to time shall be applied.

(c) Site approval :

No development shall be made unless a site is approved for that development by the Authority.
4. Designation of use of master plan or detailed development plan :
(a) Where the use of a site or premises is specifically designated in the Development Plan, it shall be used
only for the purpose so designated.
(b) Where the use of the site premises is not specifically designated in the development plan it shall be in
conformity with uses permissible in the zone in which the site or premises falls. Provided that and subject to
the provisions of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 (Tamil Nadu Act IV of 1919) Tamil Nadu
District Municipalities Act, 1920 (Tamil Nadu Act V of 1920) and Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act, 1958 (Tamil Nadu
Act XXXV of 1958) any lawful use of premises existing prior to the commencement of these rules may
continue. Provided further that a non-conforming use i.e. a case which under these rules will not be
permissible in the concerned zone, shall not be extended or enlarged.
(d) Requirement for site approval :-
No piece of land shall be used as a site for the construction of a building for any development if the
Authority considers that -
(i) the site is insanitary and that it is dangerous to construct a building on it, or
(ii) if by virtue of the smallness or shape of the site is not suitable for development, or
(iii) if the site is near a water body or water course and the proposed development is likely to
contaminate the said water body or water course, or
(iv) if the site is likely to be inundated and satisfactory arrangement for proper drainage is not possible,
(v) if the site is a filled up tank or low lying or of made up soil by depositing rubbish or offensive matters
and the proposal is likely to be affected by dampness owing to the sub soil water, or
(vi) if the site does not abut any existing public or private street forming part of a layout sanctioned under
the provisions of the relevant local body act.
(vii) if the site does not about a public street of not less than 7.2 metres in width for layouts and not less
than 4.8 metres in width for sub divisions not amounting to layouts.

5. Width of roads in the development plan :

(i) Proposed rights of way for all major roads together with set back lines for them shall be in accordance
with details specified in Annexure - IV. The Authority may prescribe or modify these rights of way or set back
lines from time to time with the approval of the Government.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Development Plan or in these rules the Executive Authorities
of the Corporation or Municipality concerned may from time to time, with the prior approval of the
authority prescribe under relevant sections of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act 1919.
(Tamilnadu Act V of 1919 of Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1920) (Tamil Nadu Act XXXV of 1920)
regular alignments for streets of width different from those shown in the Development Plan or in these
rules.
(iii) No structure shall be erected within the set back spaces prescribed except the following :
(a) Unsupported sunshades, wardrobes, open and non-continuous balconies or other projection attached to
the wall, so long as such structures do not project from the wall face more than 0.6 metre in the case of
unsupported sunshades and wardrobes and 1.0 metre in the case of open non-continuous balconies:
Provided that all the other projections, except unsupported sunshades shall be included for computation of
floor space index and coverage.
(b) Open single flight or spiral staircase or open double flight staircase so long as such structure do not fall
within 0.5 metre from the side boundary or 1.0 metre from the rear or front boundary, of the site and street
alignment;
(c) A compound wall of height not exceeding 1.5 metres.
6. Boundaries of zones :
(a) The different zones are located and bounded as shown in the 1:3163 or 1:6336 maps for the city and
neighbourhood and 1:5840 maps for the rest of the Metropolitan area viz., M.P.No.3:01 to 3:16/74 and
M.P. Nos. 4:01 to 4:12/74. For detailed villagewise land use maps refer to maps MP/DEN 1 to 75/75, MP/DL.
C1 to 115/75, MP/DL-S 1 to 61/75.

PART II USE ZONES

7. Primary Residential Use Zone :-
(a) In the Primary Residential use zone, buildings or premises shall be normally permitted only for the
following purposes and accessory uses. Permissible nonresidential activity shall be limited to one in a sub
division.
(i) Any residence including dwelling detached, semi-detached, tenements or flats.
(ii) Professional consulting offices of the residents and incidental uses there to occupying a floor area not
exceeding 40 square metres.
(iii) Petty shops dealing with daily essentials including retail sale of provisions, soft drinks, cigarettes,
newspapers, tea stalls, confectionary retail shops, mutton stall and milk kiosks, cycle repair shops, tailoring
shops and trades declared as non-offensive as per G.O. Ms. No.2771, Rural Development and Local
Administration dated the 22nd December 1962 (as amended from time to time) may be permitted subject
to the restrictions contained in the said order occupying a floor area, not exceeding 20 square metres.
(iv) Nursery, primary and high schools.
(v) School of commerce including tutorial institutions occupying a floor area not exceeding 40 square meters
vi) Parks and playgrounds occupying an area not exceeding 2 hectares.
(vii) Taxi stands and car parking.
(viii) Farms, gardens, nurseries occupying an area not exceeding 2 hectares.
(ix) Installations of motor for pumping water, air conditioning and lifts.
(x) Cottage industries listed in G.O. Ms. Nos.565 and 566, dated the 12th March 1962 as amended run by
power upto 5 horse power. Also craft centres and assembly of electronic parts for manufacture of radios
transistors, television sets, computer chips and such others with installations not exceeding 5 HP and the
number of employees not exceeding 25.
(xi) Storage of domestic cooking gas cylinders subject to the conditions prescribed in G.O. Ms. No.329,
dated the 24th February 1977, namely, necessary clearance should be obtained by the parties concerned
from the Director of Fire Service and the Department of Explosives of the Government of India. The
construction of godowns for the storage of cooking gas cylinder should also conform to the building rules
and other development control rules.

(b) The following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) Hostels, dormitories, restaurants not exceeding 300 square metres in floor area.
(ii) Public utility buildings like sewage pumping stations, water works, fire stations, telephone exchanges,
Government and semi Government offices serving the local needs, libraries, bus terminals and depot yard
occupying a site area not exceeding 1 hectare and Banks occupying a floor area not exceeding 300 square
metres.
(iii) Community halls, clubs, religious buildings, gymnasia, welfare institution occupying a floor area not
exceeding 300 square metres.
(iv) Clinics, Hospitals, dispensaries and nursing homes occupying floor area not exceeding 300 square
metres and departmental stores with a floor area not exceeding 100 square metres.
(v) Parks and playgrounds occupying a site area not exceeding 4 hectares.
(vi) Petrol filling stations and service stations with installation not exceeding 5 horse power.
vii) Markets and area for shops occupying an area of not more than 0.25 hectares.
(viii) Installation of motor incidental to the permissible uses noted above not exceeding 5 horse power.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under sub rules (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited in the zone.
(d) The extent of plot size, plot frontage, floor space index, plot coverage, height and set back lines
for residential uses and other specified uses namely clinics, schools not exceeding 300 m2 in floor area and
schools of commerce will be regulated. Nursery and Primary School exceeding 300 sqm in floor area will be
regulated under DCR 13 (d) but they will be permitted in primary residential use zone. Other uses viz,
Commercial, light industrial, General Industrial, Special and Hazardous Industrial, and Institution uses etc.,
and clinics, dispensaries, and Nursing Homes exceeding 300 sqm in floor are will be regulated in accordance
with the respective use zone. In the cases of approved subdivisions and layouts the extent of plot size; floor
space index and setback lines shall be regulated according to layout conditions specified by the CMDA while
approving such layout.

8. Mixed Residential use zone :-

(a) In the Mixed Residential use zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted only for the following
purposes and accessory use.
(i) All uses permissble under sub-rules (a) and (b) of rules 7.
(ii) Banks and safe deposit vaults, offices occupying floor area not exceeding 500 square metres.
(iii) Restaurants occupying floor area not exceeding 500 square metres.
(iv) Hotels, hostels, boarding and lodging houses, dormitories and welfare institutions occupying a floor area
not exceeding 500 square metres.
(v) Establishment and shops retailing in vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish, meat and such other daily necessities
of the residents occupying a floor area not exceeding 500 square metres or an organised markets.
(vi) Bakeries and confectioneries, laundries, tailoring, goldsmith shops, hair dressing saloons, flour mills
occupying floor area not exceeding 500 square metres.
(vii) Petrol filling station, automobile service station, work shops occupying a site area not exceeding 500
square metres.
(vii) Manufacturing service establishments using electric motors employing not more than 15 horsepower
and or employing not more than 10 workers excluding those which are obnoxious or hazardous in nature by
reason of odour, effuent, dust, smoke, gas, vibration, noise etc., or otherwise likely to cause danger and
nuisance to public health or amenity.
(ix) Workshops, excluding those which are obnoxious or hazardous in nature by reason for odour effluent,
dust, smoke, gas, vibrations, noise etc. or other wise likely to cause danger or nuisance to public health or
amenity occupying a site of not exceeding 500 square metres.
(b) the following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) Departmental stores for the conduct of retail business, professional consulting offices and uses under
clauses (ii) to (vi) of sub-rule (a) above without restriction of floor space.
(ii) Cinema theatres, assembly halls and reading rooms.
(iii) Colleges, higher educational, technical and research institutions.
(iv) Clean industries as determined by the Authority based on the performance characteristics with a
maximum of 30 horsepower employing not more than 25 workers.
(c) All use not specifically mentioned under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited in the zone
(d) The extent of plot size, plot frontage, floor space index, height and plot coverage, set back lines in the
zone shall be regulated according to the rule 7(d).

9. Commercial Use Zone :

(a) In the commercial use zone buildings or premises shall normally be permitted only for the
following purposes and accessory uses.
(i) All uses permitted in Primary and Mixed Residential use zones.
(ii) All commercial and business uses including all shops, stores, markets and uses connected with the display
and sale of merchandise either wholesale or retail excluding explosives, obnoxious products and other
materials likely to cause health hazards.
(iii) Business offices and other commercial and financial institutions occupying a floor area not exceeding
1,000 square metres.
(iv) Warehouses, repositories and other uses connected with storage of wholesale trade occupying a floor
area not exceeding 1,000 square metres but excluding storage of explosive or products which are either
obnoxious or likely to cause health hazards.
(v) Research, experimental and testing laboratories not involving danger of fire, explosive or health hazards
occupying a floor area not exceeding 1,000 square metres.
(vi) Manufacturing and service establishments and commercial uses using electric motor not exceeding 50
horse power and / or employing not more than 25 workers excluding those that obnoxious or hazardous
nature by reason of odour, effluent, dust, smoke, gas, vibration, noise etc., or otherwise likely to cause
danger or nuisance to public health or amenity.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with the special sanction of the Authority.
(i) All commercial and business uses including all shops, stores, markets, shopping centres and uses
connected with the display and sale of merchandise, either wholesale or retail but excluding/explosive
obnoxious products and other materials likely to cause health hazard, without limitation of floor area.
(ii) Business offices and other commercial and financial institutions without limitations of floor area.
(iii) Warehouses and other uses connected with storage or wholesale trade but excluding storage of
explosives or products which are either obnoxious or likely to cause health hazards.
(iv) Commercial and entertainment centres including touring talkies, sports stadiums, recreation complexes,
research, experimental or testing laboratories not involving danger of fire, explosive or health hazards.
(v) Organised parking lots, multi-storey parking Bus Terminal and Depots.
(vi) Educational, technical and research institutions.
(vii) Garment industry irrespective of the number of persons employed where the authority is satisfied of its
non-objectionable nature based on its performance characteristics.
(c) All uses not specifically mentioned under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) The extent of plot size, floor space index, set back line etc. for commercial uses shall be regulated. For
other activities of residential character and institutional character where public assemble will be regulated in
accordance with the respective use zones.
10. Light Industrial Zone :

(a) In the light industrial zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the following purposes
and accessory uses.
(i) All uses permissble in the commercial use zone with the special sanction of the authority except
residential uses.
(ii) Residential buildings for security and other essential staff required to be maintained within the premises.
(iii) All industries using electrical power utilising machinery not exceeding 130 horsepower or with
employees not exceeding 100 in number but excluding all industries of obnoxious and hazardous nature by
reasons of odour, effluent, dust, smoke, gas, vibration, etc. or otherwise likely to cause danger or nuisance to
public health or amenity.
(iv) All industries not producing noxious or dangerous effluents or where sufficient precaution to the
satisfaction of the authority have been taken to eliminate noxious or dangerous effluents.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) All uses permissible in the commercial zone.
(ii) Storage of petroleum, timber, explosives and inflammable and dangerous materials.
(iii) All industries upto 200 horsepower where sufficient precautions to the satisfaction of the authority
have been taken to eliminate noxious or dangerous effluents.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) The extent of plot, floor space index, set back lines etc. for light industrial uses shall be regulated. For
other activities of Residential and Commercial character and institutional activities where public assemble,
they will be regulated in accordance with the respective zones.
11. General Industrial Zone :-
(a) In the General Industrial Zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the following
purposes and accessory uses :
(i) All commercial and industrial uses permissible in the light industrial zone.
(ii) All industries using electrical power upto 500 Horsepower excluding those of obnoxious or hazardous
nature listed in Annexure VIII.
(iii) Residential buildings for security and other essential staff required to be maintained within the area.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) All uses permitted with special sanction of the authority in the light industrial zone.
(ii) All industries without restriction of Horse power not producing noxious or dangerous effluents or where
sufficient precautions to the satisfaction of the authority have been taken to eliminate noxious or dangerous
effluents.
(c) All uses not specifically mentioned under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited in the zone.
(d) The extent of plot size, floor space index, set back lines of General industries will be regulated For other
uses namely, residential, commercial, light industrial, special and hazardous industrial and institutional uses,
etc. they will be regulated in accordance to the respective use zone. When a site is used both for General
Industry and light industry, the regulation, that
will govern the development in the site shall be decided on the basis of the dominant type of the industry.
12. Special and Hazardous Industrial Zone :-
(a) In the special and hazardous Industrial zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted only for
the following purposes and accessory uses.
(i) All special and hazardous industries using upto 500 horsepower irrespective of type of motor power used
as listed in Annexure VII occupying a site area not exceeding 0.5 hectare.
(ii) Uses involving storage, handling and other uses incidental to the industries listed in Annexure VII
occupying a site area not exceeding 0.5 hectare.
(iii) In general, any industrial process which is likely to be dangerous to human life or health or amenity and
not permissble in light and General Industrial use zones occupying, a site area not exceeding 0.5 hectare.
b) The following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) All uses under (i), (ii) and (iii) above occupying a site area exceeding 0.5 hectare and / or 500 Horsepower.
(ii) All uses permissible in the General Industrial zone.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under sub rule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) The extent of plot, floor space index, set back etc. for special and hazardous industries shall be regulated
For other uses viz., Commercial, light Industrial, General Industrial, Institutional etc, they will be regulated in
accordance with the respective zones.

13. Institutional Zone :-

(a) In the institutional zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the following purposes
and accessory uses, where the site area does not exceed 5.0 hectares.
(i) Government and Quasi-Government offices, professional offices.
(ii) Art Galleries, museums, public libraries, social and cultural institutions and religious buildings.
(iii) Hospital, sanatoria and other medical and public health institutions.
(iv) Parks, play fields, swimming pools and other public and semi public open spaces.
(v) Broadcasting installation and weather stations.
(vi) Public utilities, storage and public yards, municipal and community facilities.
(vii) Installation of electric motors upto 50 Horse power may be permitted for the uses incidental to the
uses mentioned in items (i) to (vi) above.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with the special sanction of the Authority.
(i) All uses normally permitted in the zone occupying a site area exceeding 5.0 hectares.
(ii) Transportation terminals, including bus and railway stations, airports, parking lots.
(iii) Cinema theatres and other commercial entertainment centres and Kalyana Mandapams.
(iv) Circuses, touring talkies, sports stadium, recreational complexes, exhibitions, fairs.
(v) Colleges and institutions of higher education, research technical and training in nature.
(vi) Crematoria, Cemetries, Burial and Burning grounds.
(vii) Uses permissible in residential zones incidental to institutional use.
(viii) Installation of electric motors beyond 50 Horsepower for the uses mentioned above.
(ix) All commercial uses incidental to institutional uses without any installation.
(x) Petrol filling stations and service stations with installation not exceeding 5 Horsepower.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) The extent of plot, floor space index and set backs for the institutions shall be regulated. For other uses
namely residential, Commercial etc, they will be regulated in accordance
with table under the respective zones.
(e) Incidental structures such as watchman booth, cycle stand and toilets shall be permitted in set back
space.
(f) The applicant shall deposit a sum of Rupees Fifty per square metre for floor area as a refundable non-
interest earning security deposit. The security deposit shall be refunded on completion of the development
as per approved plan as certified by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. If the Development is
not as per the approved plan in violation of these rules, the security deposit shall be forfeited by the
Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority after giving a show cause notice to the
applicant. In the matter of forfeiture of the security deposit, the decision of the Member Secretary shall be
final.
14. Open space and Recreational Zone :-
(a) In the open space and recreational zone, buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the
following purposes and accessory uses:-
(i) All public and semi-public, recreational uses and open spaces, parks and playgrounds, zoological and
botanical garden, nurseries, water front developments, museums and memorials:
(ii) Installation of electric motors of not exceeding 5 horsepower may be permitted for pumping water for
gardening purposes.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with the special sanction of the Authority :-
(i) Transportation terminals, cinemas, theatres and open air theatres, exhibitions, circuses, fairs and festival
grounds, public utilities.
(ii) Incidental residental uses for essential staff required to be maintained in the area :
(iii) All activities incidental to recreational use including beach cottages as may be decided by the authority :
(iv) Installations that may be necessary for the uses mentioned above :
(v) All agricultural uses :
(vi) Burial and / or burning grounds or crematoria.
(c) All uses not specifically mentioned under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) For buildings in the area same regulations in respect to extent of plot, floor space index etc. shall be
applicable in accordance with the respective zones.
15. Agricultural Zone :
(a) In the agricultural zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted only for the following purposes
and accessory uses.
(i) All agricultural uses.
(ii) Farm houses and buildings for agricultural activities.
(iii) All the uses permissble in the residential use zones within the natham boundaries (settlements).
(iv) Dairy and cattle farms.
(v) Piggeries and poultry farms
(vi) Water tanks and reservoirs
(vii) Forestry
(viii) Storing and drying of fertilizers
(ix) Installation of electric machinery of not exceeding 15 horsepower may be allowed for the uses
mentioned above.
(b) the following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority :-
(i) Parks and playgrounds, camping sites and other recreational uses.
(ii) Sewage farms and garbage dumps, burial / burning grounds, brick kilns and tile manufacturing industries.
(iii) All uses normally permitted in the Primary Residential zone with the exception of residences.
(iv) Installation of electric motors that may be necessary for the uses mentioned above, and for mill for
grinding, hulling, etc, of cereals, pulses, food grains and oil seeds provided the site has proper access.
(v) Burning grounds, crematoria.
(vi) Temporary touring cinemas.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) for building in the area the same regulations in respect of extent of plot, floor space index etc. shall
be applicable in accordance with the respective zones. Buildings that may be permitted in the area will be
subject to such conditions as may be stipulated by the Authority.
16. Non-urban Zone :-
(a) In the non-urban zone buildings or premises shall be normally permitted for the following purposes and
accessory uses :-
(i) Cemeteries, crematoria, burning and burial grounds;
(ii) Salt pans and salt manufacturing.
(iii) Brick, tile or pottery manufacturing.
(iv) Stone crushing and quarrying.
(v) Sand, clay and gravel quarrying.
(vi) Installation of electric motors upto 50 horse power may be allowed for the uses mentioned above.
(b) The following uses may be permitted with special sanction of the Authority.
(i) Incidental residential uses.
(ii) Broadcasting installations and transportation terminals.
(iii) All uses permissble in agricultural use zone.
(iv) Installation of electric motors as may be required for the above uses.
(c) All uses not specifically permitted under subrule (a) and (b) above shall be prohibited.
(d) Buildings that may be permitted in the area will be subjected to such conditions as may be stipulated
by the Authority.
PART III GENERAL PROVISIONS
17. Areas for buildings of special character:-
(a) Multi-storeyed buildings, Buildings exceeding 4 floor and or 15 metres in height shall not be permitted
in areas specifically prohibited for construction of such buildings. They shall conform to the Special Rules for
Multi Storeyed Building
(b) In all other areas maximum height of the buildings shall not exceed 15 metres provided Architectural
features like gopurams, minarets, steeples, flagmasts, water tanks, or similar structures may be permitted
subject to the ceiling of 20 metres height from ground level with special sanction of Authority.
Note :- When a building abuts on more than one road the maximum permissble height of such buildings
shall be computed with reference to the wider road, provided that the maximum depth of plot which such
height is permissible shall be limited to 25 metres from the building line of the wider road.
(c) Continous buildings : Buildings without side open space to be left shall not be permitted except in areas
specifically set apart for construction of such buildings.
(d) Housing for economically weaker sections :-
The Authority may from time to time, earmark sufficient areas is residential use zone exclusively for
housing of the economically weaker section of the society
(e) Information Technology Park (ITP) :-
The development of land and building for the purposes to accelerate the growth of Information Technology
including the manufacture of the hardware, development of software and its associated computer -
communication technology applications shall conform to the rules for information technology Park.
18. Minimum set back lines for public and semi public buildings and permitting additional floor space
index special cases :-
(a) Set back all around on each side for all buildings such as theatres, Kalyana Mandapams, exhibition halls
and automobile garages and service workshops shall be not less than 6 metres.
(b) When the applicant hand over the land belonging to him between the existing street and street aligment
as fixed in the Master Plan free of cost through a deed to the Authority or a local body designated by it he
will be entitled to additional floor space index on the lands so transferred.
19. Layout and sub-division :-
(a) The laying out and sub-division of land for building purposes shall be carried out only in accordance
with the specific provisions.

(i) The width of the streets and roads in the layouts shall conform to the minimum requirements and be in
conformity with the development plan, if any, for the area except in group housing, flats or in area
reserved for Economically Weaker Sections

(ii) No plot in a layout shall be sub-divided or utilised for any purpose other than the purpose for which the
site is approved except with the prior approval of the authority.

(iii) Reservation of land for communal and recreational purposes in a layout or sub-division for residential,
commercial, industrial or combination of such uses shall be as follow.
For the first 3000 square metres:
Nil

Between 3000 square metres and 10,000 square metres

10 percent of the area excluding roads or in the alternative he shall pay the market value of equivalent land
excluding the first 3000 square metres as per the valuation of the registration department. No such area
reserved shall measure less than 100 square metres with a minimum
dimension of 10 metres.
Above 10,000 square metres
10 percent of the area excluding roads shall be reserved and this space shall be maintained as communal
and recreational open space to the satisfaction of the authority or transferred to the authority for
maintenance. It is obligatory to reserve 10 percent of the layout area.

(iv) The space set apart for roads and the 10% area reserved for communal and recreational purposes under
item (iii) above shall be deemed to zoned for institutional open space and recreational use zone as the case
may be. The land so registered shall be transferred to the Authority or Agency or the Local body designated
by the Authority through a registered deed before the actual approval of the layout under the provisions of
T&CP Act. The exact mode of conveyance should be consistent with the relevant enactment and regulations.

(v) The building and use of land shall conform to the conditions that may be imposed while sanctioning the
layout. The space set apart for commercial, institutional, industrial or other uses shall be deemed to be
zoned for commercial, Institutional, Industrial corresponding uses under the Master Plan.

(vi) The land for communal and recreational purposes shall be restricted to ground level, in a shape and
location to be specified by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The land so reserved shall be
free from any construction by the layout owner, developer or promoter.

(vii) 10 percent of layout area, additionally, shall be reserved for Public Purpose in those layouts which are
more than 10000 sq.m. in extent. Interested departments shall be given intimation of layout approval by the
CMDA and requested to purchase the land from the owner or developer or promoter, on paying the cost of
plots so reserved. Their owner or developer or promoter has every right to sell the lands for residential
purpose if no demand from any public departments is received within one year.
I. SPECIAL BUILDINGS
19.(b) I Special Building and Group Developments :-
(1) The following rule shall apply, to Special Buildings. Explanation - Special Buildings means.
(a) a residential or commercial buildings with more than 2 floors; or
(b) a residential building with more than four dwelling units; or
(c) a commercial building exceeding a floor area of 300 square metres:
Provided that any construction in the second floor as an addition to an individual existing ground and first
floor building which is three years old shall not be construed as a Special Building.
(ii)(a) The minimum width of the road on which the site abuts shall be 10 metres, however a building for
residential use upto three storeys and four dwelling units may be permitted on a site abutting or gaining
access from a 9 metre wide road.
(b) If the general road is of width less than 10 metres, but only widens opposite to or nearer to the plot is
more than 10 metres, is not acceptable,
(c) If the road is generally of 10 metres width upto a considerable length on one side, but discontinues and
narrows into a road of smaller width on the other side of the plot in question and the plot owner is willing to
leave enough space for continuity of 10 metres road in front of his plot, this will have to be checked and
decided on case - by - case.
(d) If the general road width is less than 10 metres and the plot owner merely agrees to leave enough space
to have 10 metres in front of his plot only, this is not acceptable.

(e) if the site does not directly abut a public road but gains access through a private exclusive passage
or through part of the plot which can be treated as a passage from a public road of minimum width as
prescribed above, the minimum width of such passage shall be as follows.
S.No Description Minimum width

1. When it is intended to serve two dwelling or upto 3.6 metres (12)

600 square metres of commercial building and the
length of the passage does not exceed 80 metres
2. When it is intended to serve 3 to 8 dwellings or 4.8 metres (16)
upto 2,400 square metres of commercial building
and the length of the passage does not exceed 100
metres
3. When it is intended to serve not more than 10 7.2 metres (24)
dwellings or upto 3000 square metres of
commercial building and the length of passage
does not exceed 120 metres
4. When it is intended to serve not more than 20 9.0 metres (20)
dwellings or upto 6000 square metres of
commercial building and the length of passage
does not exceed 240 metres
5. When it is intended to serve more than 20 10.0 metres (33)
dwellings or more than 6000 square
metres of commercial building
II. Group Development :
Definition :- (i) Group development means accommodation for residential or commercial or combination of
such activities housed in two or more blocks of buildings in a particular site irrespective of whether these
structures are interconnected or not. Any inter link between the structures in terms of connecting corridors
shall not be construed as making any two structures into one block. However if these blocks are connected
solidly atleast for 1/3rd the width of anyone block on the connecting side, then such blocks shall be
construed as a single block.
(ii) The minimum width of the public road on which the site abuts shall be 10 metres or the site should gain
access from a passage of minimum width as prescribed in rule 19(b) (i) (ii) above.
(iii) The vehicular access way including passage if any, within the site shall have a minimum, width of 7.2
metres and such vehicular access shall be available for every building block in the site within a distance of 50
metres.
(iv) Set back requirements :- each building, block should have clear set back of 4.5 metres from the site
boundary. The spacing between any two blocks within the site however should not be less than 6 metres.
In continuous building areas no side set back is required to be provided. However front set back and rear set
back shall be as provided in the special rules.
(v) Parking :- The parking standards prescribed in Annexure XIII of those rules shall be followed.
(vi) Open space :- Reservation of land for communal and recreational purposes shall be as follows:

For the first 3,000 square metres

Nil

Between 3,000 square metres and 10,000 square metres

10 percent of the area excluding roads or in the alternative shall pay the market value of the equivalent land
excluding the first 3,000 square metres as per the valuation of the Registration Department only where it is
not possible to provide open space due to physical constraints. No such area reserved shall measure less
than 100 sq.m. with a minimum dimension of 10 metres
Above 10,000 square metres
10 percent of the area excluding roads shall be reserved and this space shall be transferred to the authority
or to the local body designated by it, free of cost, through a deed. It is obligatory to reserve the 10 percent
space of this site area and no charges can be accepted in lieu, in case of new developments or
redevelopments.

B-III Security Deposit :-

The applicant shall deposit a sum at the rate of Rs.50/- per square metre of floor area as a refundable
non-interest earning security deposit, for the following categories of buildings, namely:-
(i) Special buildings/Group developments with six dwellings or more, and
(ii) Commercial buildings exceeding 300 square metre of floor area.
The deposit shall be refunded on completion of the development as per approved plan, as certified by
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. If the development is not as per the approved plan and in
violation of these rules, the security deposit would be forfeited by the Member-Secretary, Chennai
Metropolitan Development Authority, after giving a show cause notice to the applicant. In the matter of
forefeiture of the security deposit, the decision of the Member - Secretary shall be final.
(c) When the area of land proposed for subdivisions is 20 hectares or more the Authority may reserve not
more than 12 percent of the total area for industrial and commercial purposes and the area so reserved shall
be deemed to be zoned for the purpose under the Master Plan.
(d) The cost of laying improvements to the systems in respect of road, water supply, sewerage, drainage or
electric power supply that may be required as assessed by the competent authority, namely, the Corporation
of Chennai, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tamilnadu Electricity Board, shall be
borne by the applicant.

20. Parking :-
The requirements of parking shall be regulated according to the particular use to which the building or
premises is used in accordance with standards specified in Annexure XIII.
21. Architectural Control :-
The architectural facade or elevation of any building or the architectural features of any premises shall be in
conformity with such conditions as the Authority may impose at the time of grant of permission.
22. Preservation of buildings of historical or architectural interest :-
(a) If a building or premises not covered under the Archeological monuments Act, in the opinion of the
Authority is of historical or architectural interest and is in danger of demolition or alteration likely to affect
its character by a development, the Authority may impose such conditions as it may deemed fit for the
preservation of such building while granting planning permission.
23. Tree Preservation :-
(a) The Authority may in the interest of amenity make a tree preservation order for any trees or group of
trees or belt of forest land.
(b) The tree preservation order may prohibit the felling, topping, lopping of wilful destruction of the trees
concerned, except when those operations are carried out with the permission of the Authority and under
such conditions, as the Authority may deem fit.
(c) In granting planning permission for any development, the Authority may where appropriate, make
adequate provision for the preservation or planting of trees.
24. Advertisement Control :-
Any hoarding, structure or any device erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying
advertisements shall be in conformity with the condition that the Authority may deem fit to impose from
time to time and must be maintained in a safe condition to the satisfaction of the authority.
25. Airport Zone and Microwave Zone :-
(a) The height of building or other fixtures in the Airport Zone and Microwave Zone shall not exceed the
limits prescribed by the Airport Authority and respective competent authority from time to time.
(b) The gaseous effluents from uses in the Airport Zone shall be of such character as prescribed by Airport
Authorities from time to time.
26. These rules to prevail :-
(a) In the application of these rules if there is conflict between the requirements under these rules and
the requirements under any other Act or rules or by laws in force the requirements under these rules and
the provisions of Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, Tamil Nadu Distrit Municipal Act or Panchayat Act
or any other law relating to the local authority for the time being in force or any rule, by law or regulation
made under the said act or laws, such provisions which are contrary to these rules shall stand suspended.
(b) The notifications made under the Municipal and Panchayat Acts and the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act,
1939 (Tamil Nadu Act III of 1939) as regards setting of the Industrial and Residential area in the Chennai
Metropolitan Area will cease to operate from the date of commencement of these rules.
27. Identification of Boundaries :-
(a) In conformity with the intent and spirit of these rules the Authority may where uncertainty exists as to
the boundaries in the land use maps, the following rules shall apply:-
(i) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centre line of the Streets, highway lands, shall be
construed to follow such centre lines.
(ii) Boundaries indicates as approximately following established boundaries of S.F. Nos. shall be construed
as following such S.F. boundaries.
(iii) Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following city limits.
(iv) Boundaries, indicated as approximately following the centre lines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes
or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centre line.
(b) Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extension of feature indicated in (i) to (iv) above shall be so
construed. Distance not specifically indicated on the map shall be determined by the scale of map
(b) Discreationary Powers :-
(i) In such sites where it is not possible to set apart open spaces required under these rules the Authority
or Govt. may modify or dispense with the open space requirements provided further that no building of
more than two storeys shall be allowable in such sites.
(ii) In specific cases where a clearly demonstratable hardship is caused, the Authority or Govt.
may permit any of the dimensions prescribed by these to be modified in respect of a site or building but not
the land use.
(iii) In case of organised market and shopping centres, the Authority or Govt. may at its discretion permit
use of machinery not exceeding 15 horse powers in respect of each shop if it considers that such permission
could not be injurious to health or amentity for the area.
(iv) The normally permissible floor space index for Information Technology Industries certified by the
appropriate Authority in Designated Information Technology Parks, may be relaxed by the Authority or
Government up to the extent of 100%.
27-A Water Conservation :-
For effective conservation of rain water, application for planning permission shall contain water conservation
proposals as detailed below :-
(a) Ordinary Buildings (Ground + 1 Floor) :-
Percolation pits of 30 centimetre diameter and 3 metres depth may be made and filled with broken half
bricks (or pebbles) for 2.85 metres from bottom and coarse sand for the top 15 centimetre may be filled up
and the topcovered with perforated Reinforced Concrete Cement (R.C.C.) slab. These percolation pits may be
made at intervals of 3 metres centre to centre along the plinth boundary. The rain water collected in the
open terrace may be collected through a 150 millimetre PVC pipe laid on the ground and may be allowed to
fall in the percolation pits or into a open well through a seepage filter of 60cm x 60cm x 60cm (filter media
broken bricks) provided before the open well which will improve the ground water level. A dwarf wall of 7.5
centimeter height is built across the entry and exit gates to retain water and allow it to percolate within.
(b) Special Buildings, Group Developments, Multi-Storeyed Buildings (as defined in Development Control
Rules), Industries and Institutional Buldings:-
There shall be a pebble bed of 1 meter width, 1.5 meter depth all round the building and filled with rounded
pebbles of 5 centimetres to 7.5 centimetres size. The concrete paving around the building has to be sloped
at about 1 in 20 towards the pebble bed, so that rain water from the terrace and side open spaces flow over
this pavement and spread into the pebble bed around. Dwarf walls in masonry of 7.5 centimeters, height
shall be constructed at the entrance and exit gates to retain rain water collected into the compound from
draining out to the road.
(c) Additional Regulations for all Buildings :-
In the ground floor, floor level of water closets shall be atleast 0.9 metre above the road level to ensure free
flow. All centrally air-conditioned buildings shall have their own waste water reclamation plant and use
reclaimed waste water for cooling purposes. A separate sump shall be constructed for storing portable water
supplied by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the volume of sump not exceeding
1,000 litres per dwelling. This sump shall be independent of other tanks which may be constructed for
storing water obtained from other sources.

27-B. Solar Energy Capture :-

New Buildings in the following categories shall be provided with the ancillary solar assisted solar heating
system and it shall be shown in the plans for developments applied for Planning Permission :-
a) Nursing Homes / Hospitals exceeding 500 square metre in the floor area;
b) Hotels and Lodges exceeding 500 square metre in floor area;
c) Hotels exceeding 50 rooms; and
d) Kalyanamandapams exceeding 500 square metre in floor area;
28. Delegation of powers :-
Any of the powers, duties or functions conferred or imposed or vested in the Authority by any of foregoing
rules may be delegated to any officer under its control or to any officer of Government or to a local
authority.
28-A. Provision of special facilities in the public buildings for the Physically handicapped :-
In public buildings, having more than two floors, for the benefit of the physically handicapped, the
following shall be provided namely:-
a) A ramp with slope not exceeding 1:12 from the ground level of open space on road level to the entrance
door of the lifts or staricase,
b) A lift of sufficient size to accommodate the physically handicapped with the wheel chair,
c) A 90 Centimetre high hand-rail and an additional one at a height of 75 centimeter above the finished level
of the steps for stair cases and for steps to the ground floor plinth even if they are enclosed on their sides by
Walls:
d) There shall be sufficient number of special toilets provided depending upon the plinth area and units,
preferably locating them in the ground floor: The size of the toilet block, the arrangement of various
accessories within the toilet shall follows the specifications given in the National Building Code.
e) Ten percent of the required car parking subject to a minimum of parking two cars shall be reserved for
the physically handicapped near the entrance having more than two floors. This is to provide an exclusive
reservation of car parking for physically handicapped and also to provide them easy access to the lift and
staircase.
29. Penalties :-
Every person who shall commit any breach or any of the foregoing rules shall be punishable with fine which
may extend, to Rs.1,000 and in the case of continuing breach, with fine which may extend to Rs.50 for
everyday during which such breach continuous after conviction for the first such breach.
30. Definition :-
In these rules unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context. Accessory Use means any
use of the premises subordinates to the principal uses and customarily incidental to the principal use.

Act means the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 35 of 1972) as amended from
time to time.

Development Plan means a plan for the development or re-development or improvement of within the
jurisdiction of a planning authority and includes a regional plan, master plan, detailed development plan and
a new town development plan prepared under the Act.

Plot Coverage means the extent to which the plot is covered with a building or structure and this is
expressed as percentage of the ratio of the built up area in plot area.
Floor Space Index means the quotient obtained by dividing the total coverage area (Plinth area) of all
the floors by the plot area, which include part of the site used as exclusive passage, However, the width of
the passage will determine the number of dwelling units permissble in the site as per rules-19 (b) I (ii) b 9(b)
II (ii).
Total covered area on all floors
Floor Space index = ---------------------------------------------
Plot area

The following services and structures shall not be included in the determination of floor area and
maximum plot coverage.
(i) A basement or cellar and space under building constructed on stilts and used as parking space to the
extent required under the rule 20. The height of such space under stilt shall not exceed 2.2 metres and also
shall not be counted as a floor.
(ii) Area for the electric cabin or substation, watchmans booth, care takers booth, pump house, garbage
shaft, store room and air conditioning plant room used as necessary to the principal use. However, this area
shall not exceed 10% of the total floor area.
(iii) Stair-case room and lift rooms above the topmost storey, architectural features, chimneys and elevated
tanks. Height of Buildings means the height measured from the average level of the central line of the
street on which the site abuts, provided that stair case rooms, lift rooms, chimneys and elevated tanks above
the top most floor and architectural features and parapet of height upto 1 metre shall not be included in
calculating the height of building.
The Tamil Nadu Panchayats Building Rules, 1997
In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (xxxiii) of sub-section (2) of Section 242 of the Tamil Nadu
Panchayats Act, 1994 (Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1994), and in supersession of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats
Building Rules, 1970, made under the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1958, the Governor of Tamil Nadu makes
the following Rules:
RULES
1.Short title, extent and commencement
(1) These Rules may be called the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Building Rules, 1997.
(2) They shall apply to the whole of the areas which come under the purview of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats
Act, 1994 (Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1994), excluding the areas to which the provisions of Chapters IX and X of
the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 (Tamil Nadu Act V of 1920) are extended and are applicable.
(3) They shall come into force at once.
2.Definitions
In these Rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,
(a) Appendix means an appendix to these Rules;
(b) continuous type means a series of buildings in a continuous row where there will be
(i) open space left in the front and rear sides and interior portion; and
(ii) no open space on either side by such buildings except in the side of the first and the last
building;
(c) detached type means a single house with open space on all sides;
(d) dwelling house means a house designed or intended to be used wholly or principally for human
habitation together with such out-buildings, latrines and other erections as are ordinarily used or intended
to be used therewith or building used for cottage industries;
(e) Executive Authority means the President of the Village Panchayat;
(f) Government means the State Government;
(g) public building means any building to which the public or any class or section of the public are granted
access or any building which is open to the public or any class or section of the public and includes any
building
(a) used as a
(i) Educational Institution including School or College; (ii) hostel; (iii) library; (iv) hospital, nursing home,
dispensary, clinic, maternity centre or any other like Institution; (v) club; (vi) lodging house; (vii) coffee
house, boarding house or hotel or an eating house;
(b) used by any Association;
(c) ordinarily used by the
(i) Central or any State Government or any Local Authority or any body Corporate, owned or controlled by
the Central or any State Government;
(ii) Public or any class or Section of the public for religious worship or for religious congregation;
(h) plot means a continuous portion of land held in single or joint ownership other than land used, allotted
or set apart for any street, lane, passage, pathway or other common public purposes; and
(i) site for building includes all the land within the curtilage of the building and forming its appurtenances
such as out-buildings, yard, court, open space and garden attached thereto or intended to be occupied
therewith.
3. Application for approval of lay-out of sites
(1) No owner or other persons shall layout a street, land, passage or pathway or sub-divide or utilise the
land or any portion or portions of the same on the site or sites for building purpose until a lay-out plan has
been approved by the Executive Authority who shall get prior concurrence of the Director of Town and
Country Planning or his authorized Joint Director or Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning for such
approval. In cases of lay-out abutting National highways, State highways and by-pass roads thereof, the
concurrence of the Divisional Engineer (Highways and Rural Works) under whom the control of the road is
vested shall also be obtained by the Executive Authority. The application for approval of such lay-out plan or
sub-division shall be submitted to the Executive Authority in the form specified in Appendix-A with such
variation as circumstances may require;
(2) The application shall be accompanied by a lay-out plan or plans (in triplicate) of the land to be laid out
into house-sites, as far as may be necessary;
(3) The application for lay-out approval shall be accompanied by an up-to-date encumberance certificate of
the land specifying ownership and also the authenticated survey sketch. It shall be entertained only from the
owner of the land or from any other person who possesses the power of attorney duly registered.
(4) The owner of the land to be laid out shall while submitting the application and plans required under sub-
rule (1) submit a letter of consent relinquishing the land required for such streets, lanes, passages, common
construction and pathw ays in favour of the Executive Authority.
(5) Every street, land, passage and pathway shall be demarcated, formed and constructed including paving,
metalling, flagging, channeling, swering, draining, conserving and lighting by the owner of the land in
accordance with the provision of the lay-out for the proper development of the area ensuring safety and
convenience of the public and all expenses incurred thereof shall be paid by the owner of the land at his
expenses, while submitting the application required under sub-rule(1).
(6) The owner of the land to be laid out shall not proceed to sub-divide or utilize the site or sites intended
for building purposes unless he has complied with the requirements of sub-rules (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5).
(7) The Executive Authority may require the applicant to furnish any information which has not already been
furnished or to satisfy him that there are no objections which may lawfully be taken to the grant of approval.
(8) If, any information required under sub-rule (7) is in the opinion of the Executive Authority, incomplete or
defective, he may require further information to be furnished.
(9) If, any requisition made under sub-rule (7) or (8) is not complied with, within one month, the application
shall be rejected.
(10) The Executive Authority may as soon as may be, after sixty days from the date of receipt of the
application
(a) grant the approval applied for either absolutely or subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose;
or
(b) refuse approval if he is opinion that such work is contrary to the conditions specified under the approved
plan.
(11) No site or any new lay-out of site lying within a distance of thirty metres from the railway boundary
shall be used as a site for the construction of a building or to a hut shall have masonry construction.

4. Application for approval of sites for building and huts

(1) Every person who intends, to construct or reconstruct or alter or add to a building or to a hut shall
submit an application to the Executive Authority for the approval of the site and for permission to execute
the work, in the Form specified in Appendix-B, with such variations as circumstances may require which shall
be accompanied by
(a) a site plan (in triplicate) of the land on which the building or hut is to be constructed, reconstructed or
altered or added to as far as may be necessary, complying with the requirements specified in Appendix-C;
(b) a plan or plans (in triplicate) of the building or hut to be constructed, reconstructed or altered or added
to as far as may be necessary, complying with the requirements specified in Appendix-D;
(c) a specification (in triplicate) as far as may be necessary complying with the requirements specified in
Appendix-E; and
(d) the information as to the purpose for which the building or hut is proposed to be constructed,
reconstructed or altered or added to:

Provided that the construction or reconstruction or addition or alteration to residential houses, all such
other public buildings like commercial buildings, hotels, resorts and factory buildings exceeding a plinth area
of 250 square metres in the Panchayats of Nilgiris district shall be approved by the Executive Authority after
obtaining the permission of the Committee for Architectural and Aesthetic Aspects headed by the Collector
of the Nilgiris district.

(2) The application as well as plan specifications and the information as required under items
(a), (b), (c) and (d) of sub-rule (1) shall be signed by the owner of the site or accompanied by a
letter of authority or consent from the owner of the site, if the applicant himself is not the owner.
(3) No site shall be used for the construction of a building intended for public worship or religious purposes
without the prior approval of the Collector of the district who may refuse such approval, if in his opinion, the
use of the site and buildings is likely to endanger public peace and order.
(4) No site which is situated within a distance of ninety metres from a place used as a burning or burial place
or ground shall be used for construction of any building, without the previous approval of the Executive
Authority and no building intend for human habitation shall be built within ninety metres of such burning or
burial place or ground, unless such burning or burial place or ground was closed for burning or burial of
corpses remained so closed for a period of not less than five years, as ascertained from the record
maintained by the Village Panchayat; Provided that no existing building situated within ninety metres from
any burning or burial place or ground shall be reconstructed or added to without the previous approval of
the Executive Authority.
(5) No approval to the construction or reconstruction, or addition or alteration to a building
shall be given in case where the clearance between the building and the aerial line has been
than
(a) 1.5 metres for low tension lines, 1.75 metres from high tension lines from accessible portions or buildings
measured horizhontally and 1.25 metres for both low tension and high tension lines from inaccessible
portions measured horizontally;
(b) 2.5 metres from portions of buildings not accessible to persons measured vertically; and
(c) 4.5 metres from accessible portions of buildings measured vertically.
(6) For effective conservation of rain water, no approval to the construction or addition or alteration to a
building (other than a hut) including houses constructed by Government for below poverty line families
under the poverty alleviation programmes or building constructed by any agency under the control of the
Government, shall be given if the application for construction, re-construction, alteration or addition to such
a building does not contain provision for water conservation and rainwater harvesting as specified below:
(A) Tiled and sloped terrace building -
(1) In the tiled or sloped building, semi circular gutters of width 15 to 25 centimetres of plastic or any other
material shall be provided on the down side roof slopes of the building for harvesting rain water. The gutter
shall be connected at the down stream end with a down pipe of 75 to 100 millimetres diameter, depending
upon roof area and size of tank to convey the harvested rainwater from gutters to a plastic or other material
storage tank or sump (through a filter unit). An inlet screen (wire mesh to prevent entry of dry leaves and
other debris into the down-pipe shall be fitted. The collected rainwater from the roof shall be allowed to
pass through a filter unit. The filter unit shall be filled with suitable filter material such as well-burnt broken
bricks (or pebbles) up to 5 centimetres from top. The top 15 centimetres shall be filled up with coarse sand.
The filter unit shall be placed either over a storage tank or at bottom of the down pipe.

(2) The filtered rain water shall be collected in a collection tank or storage tank placed over the ground or
underground. The shape of the tank shall be cylindrical, rectangular or square of suitable size capacity
ranging from 1000 to 10,000 litres or even higher depending on the roof area. The material of construction
shall be brick work, stone work, cement bricks, ferro-cement, high density polyethylene (HDPE), plain
cement concrete or reinforced cement concrete. The storage tanks / collection tanks shall be provided with
pipe mixtures at appropriate places to draw the water to clean the tank and to dispose of the excess water
depending upon use / reuse either to open well / borewell or to a percolation pit.
(B) Ordinary Building (ground + first Floor) -
(1) Percolation pits of 30 to 45 centimetres diameter and of depth adequate not less than one metre to
recharge the ground, shall be made. This pit shall be filled with suitable filter material such as well-burnt
broken bricks (or pebbles) up to 15 centimeters from top. The top 15 centimetres shall be filled up with
coarse sand. The top of this pit shall be covered with perforated reinforced concrete cement (RCC) slab or of
any other material, wherever considered necessary. The number of such percolation pits shall be provided
on the basis of one pit per 30 square metres of available open terrace area / plinth area. The
cross distance between the pits shall be minimum 3 metres.
(2) Wherever an open well or borewell as the case may be is available within the building premises the rain
water collected from the open terrace shall be collected through pipes of 150 millimetres diameter or other
suitable sizes and led to filter pit of size 60 centimetres x 60 centimetres x 60 centimetres (with appropriate
filter material) and then led into the openwell / borwell through 150 millimetres diameter or other suitable
pipes.
(3) Wherever existing water storage sumps are available, the rain water so collected, after it passes through
the filter, shall be allowed to flow to the sump through closed pipes. An overflow pipe shall be provided to
the storage sump so that the surplus water is led into the nearby openwell / borewell / percolation pit.

(C) Ordinary building (ground + 2 floors and above) and multi storeyed building
(1) The specification detailed in item B above for ordinary building (ground + first Floor) shall also
applicable to building specified in this category.
(2) In addition to the percolation pits of 30 centimetres diameter shall be provided at 3 metre interval, a pit
of 1 to 1.5 metres width and appropriate depth, so as to recharge the ground, shall be provided all along the
plinth a boundary depending upon the soil classification below ground. This pit shall be filled with
appropriate filter material namely, broken bricks, pebbles, broken stones etc., at the bottom and the top 15
to 25 centimetres shall be filled with coarse sand. The ground / pavement surface around the building shall
be sloped towards the percolation pit so that rain water from terrace and sides, open spaces etc., flow over
this sloped surfaces and spread into the filter bed all around. Masonry dwarf walls of 5 to 7.5 centimetres or
of suitable height depending upon the site conditions shall be constructed, if necessary, at the entrance and
exit gates to allow the rain water collected within the compound to recharge the ground within the premises
itself and from draining out to the road.
(3) If the sub-soil is not a permeable one (namely clay or black cotton) appropriate recharge structures,
namely recharge shaft, or bore pit shall be provided below the filtration pits so as to recharge the ground.
(D) Group development, industries and institutional building
(1) For buildings for ground + first floor or ground + 2 and above located within group development
institutional and industrial premises, the specification detailed in items A, B and C above shall apply.
(2) The surface run off rain water, in the open spaces within the group development / industrial institutional
/ premises shall be allowed to run towards collection drains of suitable size and these drains shall be
constructed as rainwater-friendly storm water drains. All the approach and access roads to the buildings
within the group development / industrial / institutional premises shall also be provided with rain water-
friendly storm water drains. These rain water-friendly storm water drains shall not have paved bottom. If,
adequate spaces are available in low lying areas, percolation ponds of suitable size shall be formed and these
rain water-friendly storm water drains shall be led into the percolation ponds for recharging the ground.
(3) For other localized low lying areas, recharge pits of size of minimum 1 metre x 1 metre x 1 metre
diameter shall be provided wherever needed, so as to prevent rainwater stagnation around the building. For
other places catch water pit structures of size 30 centimetres diameter and 30 centrimetres depth or higher
depth as necessary shall be provided wherever necessary. For existing pave storm water drains, catch-water
pits of 30 centimetres diameter and 30 centimetres depth or higher depth, as necessary, shall be provided at
the bottom of these drain at 10 to 15 metres intervals. These catch water pits shall be filed with appropriate
filter material as described in item B item above for ordinary building (ground + first floor). Explanation -
Any other modifications, additional structures or alternative designs, furnished by the applicant shall be
considered for approval, if it conforms to rain water harvesting concept to the satisfaction of the competent
authority for building plan approval. Provision of water harvesting structures for re-use of used water like
water emanating from kitchens and bathrooms for flushing toilets, gardening etc. shall be considered for
approval on its merits: Provided that the Government may grant one year time to comply with rain water
harvesting in all existing buildings which may extendable up to two years in case of below poverty line
families.
4-A Provision of Rain Water Harvesting Structure
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Rules,
(1) in every building owned or occupied by the Government or a statuary body or a Company or an
Institution owned or controlled by the Government, rain water harvesting structure shall be provided in the
manner specified in sub-rule (6) of Rule 4, on or before the 10th October 2003;
(2) (a) Subject to clause (1), every owner or occupier of a building shall provide rainwater harvesting
structure in such building in the manner specified in sub-rule (6) of Rule 4, on or before the 31st August
2003. If the owner or occupier of the building fails to provide the said rain water harvesting structure by the
said date, the Executive Authority or any person authorized by him in this behalf may after giving notice to
the owner or occupier of the building, cause rain water harvesting structure to be provided in such building
and recover the cost of such provision along with the incidental expenses thereof in the same manner as
property tax. This however, does not absolve the liability of the owner or occupier of the building from
providing the rain water harvesting structure even after the 10th October 2003.
(b) if the owner or occupier of the building fails to provide rain water harvesting structure on or before the
10th October 2003, the water supply connection provided to such building shall be disconnected till rain
water harvesting structure is provided.
5. Streets, lanes, passages and pathways
(1) The streets and access to provided in the development lay-out shall connect with an existing access way,
street or road. The main access to the development shall be well defined and as far as possible proceeding
to a suitable central location of the immediate adjacent village or human habitation.
(2) No street or access shall normally be less than 7 metres in width, if the length of the access is not more
than 120 metres.
(3) The main street or access to the development shall have a width of not less than 9 metres if the length of
the said access or main development street is not more than 200 metres.
(4) The main access and other streets, whose length will be in excess of 200 metres shall be provided with
not less than 12 metres.
(5) All the streets shall be provided with open side drains and shall be formed with metal, gravel or other
hard surfacing.
(6) The streets and access ways shall be properly lighted.
(7) Culverts shall be provided wherever required. The width of such culverts shall as far as possible than 3.6
metres and they shall be provided with parapet walls at both ends up to a height of not less than 0.5 metres
from the road level.
(8) The corners of two streets shall be Chamfered with a 15 metres chamfer.
(9) Streets ending blindly shall be avoided unless the length of such street is less than 45 metres.
(10) All streets which have width of 9 metres and over shall be provided with marginal trees planted
alternately on the opposite sides and at a distance of not less than 9 metres and at a distance of one metre
from the street edge.
(11) The trees for the avenues should be selected in accordance with the local conditions and should be the
fast growing and good shade giving trees yielding flowers of varying colours and hues as recommended in
the lay-out and to the satisfaction of the Executive Authority.

6. Space about building

(1) The building shall be erected in a site whose minimum size shall be 9 metres width and 15 metres depth;
(2) Continuous type building shall be allowed with a minimum rear open space of 3 metres.
(3) Semi-detached type building shall be allowed with a minimum rear open space of 3 metres and side open
space of 1.5 metres.
(4) Detached buildings may be allowed as per the table for all category of buildings.

7. Foundation and basement

The building shall be built on proper foundations and shall be provided with a basement of not less than 0.5
metres high from the adjacent ground level.

8.Flooring
Flooring shall be made of such impervious material or be of well rammed earth
with cow dung wash or of tiles, cement such other flooring material.
9.Minimum size of rooms
Every room intended for human habitation shall have an area of not less than 7.2 square metres provided
that the kitchen room may have an area of not less than 3.6 square metres.
10.Walls
Walls shall be built of such materials as may be approved by the concerned authority with suitable damp-
profing at the basement level.
11.Height of rooms
The average height between the floor and the under side of the roof of a living room shall be not less than
2.4 metres.
12.Ventilation
Every living room shall be provided with adequate windows and ventilators, for securing effective
ventilation. In no case shall the total area of windows and ventilators of a room be less than 1/5th of its floor
area. Only ventilators or windows that connect directly with external air and about on an open space shall
be deemed to ventilate the room provided that ventilator or window opening into an open verandah or
other overhead covering, the width of which is not over 2.4 metres shall also be deemed to connect with
external air.
13.Flues and chimneys
Every kitchen or every room where a fire is lit shall be provide with sufficient means for the escape of smoke
or the products of combustion, directly above every fire place.
14.Sanitation
(1) The site shall be well drained and all sullage water shall be collected and drained off into the street drain
unless separate provision is made for utilisation of domestic sullage for cultivation or gardening purposes. In
no case, shall water be allowed to stagnate in the site or to form pools.
(2) Every site appurtenant to a house shall be laid out with such garden or cultivation or shall otherwise be
kept clean and tidy at all times and also be kept free from water logging. Removal of earth from the site and
creation of hollows shall be forbidden.
15. Latrine
(1) Every House shall be provided with a latrine of such specifications and size as may be determined by the
Executive Authority and every latrine shall be located only at rear corner of the site.
(2) Where a latrine provided is of a hand removal type such latrine shall not be provided with trap doors
opening into conservancy lane or a street. As far as possible independent means of access should be
provided to the conservancy cleaning staff for entering the latrine and for undertaking the cleaning
operations.

16. Cattle-shed
Every cow shed or cattle-shed shall be provided with an impervious flooring and adequate facilities for
drainage of urine and removal of refuses which should be collected and disposed off as may be determined
by the concerned authority.
17.Fencing and compound wall
Each site shall be fenced suitably either with live fencing or other fencing or a compound wall. No such
fencing and compound wall shall have a height of more than 1.5 metres from the ground level. A gateway
shall be provided in the front where the site abuts on a street and in addition suitable door way shall be
provided at the rear the site abuts on a conservancy or rear access lane.
18.Common amenities
In every lay-out which has a provision for more than 10 houses,the following minimum standard of
amenities shall be provided:
(1) An open space for common public use as park, plyground or recreation ground to an extent not less than
10 per cent of the total area of the lay-out.
(2) Such open spaces and common amenities shall be so distributed in order that one such open space shall
be available for every group of 25 houses.
(3) There shall be provided one or more public wells, public baths and latrines in every layout to the
satisfaction of the Executive Authority.
(4) Facilities such as shopping, recreation centre, community hall and library shall be provided in accordance
with the size of the development and based on the following standards:
(a) For every 100 persons, there shall be at least one shop; and
(b) For every 1000 persons, there shall be a common children playground, a primary school, a community
hall, a library and a recreation centre.
(5) Separate provision shall be made in every development site specifically reserved for temple, church,
mosque and other religious institutions as may be necessary:
Provision shall be made for burial of the dead or their cremation at suitable locations away from the
residential and other developments and no burial or burning shall be permissible within 90 metres of the
development.
19. Space about huts
No portion of a hut shall be placed with 1.75 metres of a masonry or wooden building, provided that there
shall be a minimum open space of 1.25 metres between the eaves or between the eaves of the hut and a
masonry wall, as the case may be.
20. Height of huts
(1) No hut shall be of more than one storey not exceeding 3.75 metres in height measured from the top at
the plinth to the junction of the eaves and wall.
(2) The wall of the hut, at a junction of a eaves and wall shall in no place be less than 1.75 metres in height
measured from the top level of the plinth.
21. Alignment of huts
on the land exclusively set apart for the construction of huts, the huts shall be built in continuous lines in
accordance with the alignment to be determined by the Panchayat.
22.Passage between rows of huts
Where an alignment determined under Rule 21 does not correspond with the alignment of the street, a
passage of at least 6 metres measured from eave to eave, shall be left between the rows of huts abutting on
such alignment.
.
23.Open courtyard among huts
Notwithstanding anything contained in Rule 21, huts m ay, with special sanction of the Panchayat, be built so
as to form an open courtyard comprising at least one-fourth of the whole area occupied by the huts and
courtyard.
24. Space between huts
Between any two huts, there shall be a space of at least 1.25 metres measured eave to eave.
25. Multi-storeyed and public buildings
Every person intending to construct, reconstruct, add to or alter any public building other than Government
building shall follow the provisions of the Multi-Storeyed and Public Building Rules, 1973 issued under the
Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 (Tamil Nadu Act V of 1920):
Provided that the Executive Authority shall not grant approval for construction, reconstruction,
addition or alteration of any such building without consulting the concerned Joint Director or
Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning.
26.Aisles and spacing rows of seats -
(a) Clear aisles not less than 1.2 metres in width shall be provided at right angles to the line of seating in
such number and in such manner that no seat shall be more than 3.8 metres away from an aisles measured
in the line of seating.
(b) Where all the aisles do not directly meet the exit doors, cross aisles of minimum one metre width and at
the rate of one cross aisle for every ten rows of seats shall be provided parallel to the line of seating so as to
provide direct access to the exit.
(c) Rows of seats between aisles shall not have more than fourteen seats and in the case of such rows
opening to an aisle at one end, shall not have more than seven seats.
(d) There shall be a minimum space of 85 cms between the backs of any two rows of seats and a minimum
of 35 cms between the back of any seat and the front of the seat immediately behind it as measured
between plumb lines.
27.Fire detecting and extinguishing systems -
Every public building having a capacity of one thousand persons or more, shall be provided with either a
manually operated fire alarm system coded to alert employers or attendants or with an automatic fire
detection system to conform to the standards and recommendations laid down in the National Building
Code of India, 1983 and to the satisfaction of the Directorate of Fire Services.
28.Extension of Tamil Nadu Special Building Rules to Panchayat areas -
The provision pertaining to the Tamil Nadu Cyclone Prone Areas Special Buildings Rules, 1982 and the Tamil
Nadu Industrial Township Area Development Authority Act, 1997 and the Rules made there under shall
apply to such of those Panchayat falling in these special areas.
29. Grant of approval by Executive Authority -
(1) All approvals granted under these Rules in the Panchayat shall be placed in the next Panchayat meeting
for information.
(2) Any appeal against the orders of the Executive Authority under sub-rule (1) shall be made to the
Collector of the revenue district concerned within thirty days from the date of receipt of the such orders.
The orders of the Collector on such appeal shall be final.
30.Lapse of permission -
If the construction or reconstruction of any building is not completed within the period specified, the
permission shall lapse and a fresh application shall be made before the work is continued.
31. Penalty for breach of Rules -
Any breach of these Rules shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs.100 or in case of continuing
breach with fine not exceeding Rs.15 for every day during which breach continues after conviction for the
first breach.
32. Power of Executive Authority to require alteration of work -
(1) If the Executive Authority finds that the work, (a) is otherwise than in accordance with the plans or
specifications which have been approved; or
(b) Contravene any of the provisions of this Rule or any of the Rule or declaration made there under he may
by notice, require the owner of the building within a period stated either
(i) to make such alterations as may be specified in the said notice with the object of bringing the work into
conformity with the said plans or provision; or
(ii) to show cause why such a alteration should not be made.
(2) If the owner does not show cause as aforesaid, he shall be bound to make the alterations specified in
such notice referred to in clause (i) of sub-rule (1).
33. Stoppage of work endangering human life -
Notwithstanding anything contained in any of the preceding provisions, the Executive Authority may at any
time stop the construction or reconstruction of any building if in his opinion the work in progress endangers
human life.
34. Demolition or alteration of building works unlawfully commenced, carried on or completed -
(1) If the Executive Authority is satisfied
(i) that the construction or reconstruction of any building
(a) has been commenced without obtaining the permission of the Executive Authority; or
(b) is being carried or has been completed otherwise than in accordance with the plans and particulars on
which such approval or order was passed; or
(c) is being carried on, or has been completed in breach of any of the provisions of this Rules
(ii) that any alterations required by any notice issued under these Rules have not been duly made; or
(iii) that any alteration of or addition to any building on any other work made or done for any purpose, into
or upon any building has been commenced or is being carried on or being completed in breach of Rules, he
may make a provisional order requiring the owner or the builder to demolish the work done or so much of it
as, in the opinion of the Executive Authority, has been unlawfully executed on to make such alteration as
may in the opinion of the Executive Authority be necessary to bring the work into conformity with the Rules,
direction or requisitions as aforesaid or with the plans and particulars on which such permission or order
was passed and may also direct that until the said order is complied with the owner or builder shall refrain
from proceeding with the building.
(2) The Executive Authority shall serve a copy of the provisional order made under sub-rule
(1) on the owner of the building together with a notice requiring him to show cause within a reasonable
time to be named in such notice, why the order should not be confirmed.
(3) If the owner fails to show cause to the satisfaction of the Executive Authority, the Executive Authority
may confirm the order with any modification as he may think fit to make and such order shall then be
binding on the owner.
35. Levy of fees by Village Panchayats -
The Inspector of the Village Panchayats shall notify the maximum and minimum rates specified for adoption
by the Village Panchayats taking into consideration the proximity of the Village Panchayats to the nearest
Municipality and ensure that the rates so determined by the Village Panchayats do not exceed the prevailing
rates of the neighbouring Municipality.
Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950
The Department Inspectorate of Factories is functioning under Ministry of Labour & Employment,
Government of Tamil Nadu and enforces the following central and state Acts along with Tamil Nadu state
Rules for the benefit of working population mainly in the organized manufacturing sector.

A. Central Acts
The Factories Act 1948
Contract labour (Regulations & Abolition) Act 1970
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986.
The Equal Remuneration Act 1976.
Inter State Migrant Workmen Act 1979
The labour Laws (Exemption from furring returns) Act 1988.
The Maternity Benefit Act. 1961.
The Minimum wages Act 1948
The Payment of wages Act 1936

B. State Acts
1. The Tamil Nadu industrial establishments ( Conferment of permanentstatus Act) 1981
2. The Tamil Nadu industrial establishments (National & Festival Holiday)Act 1959
3. Tamil Nadu Labour welfare Fund Act 1972 4. The Tamil Nadu payment of subsistence allowance Act 1981.

The Inspectorate of Factories is enforcing the Factories Act, 1948 and 13 other Labour enactments in
Factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948 and the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950. By the
enforcement of these important Labour Legislations, the Health, Safety, Welfare, good working conditions,
etc. of the workers employed in the registered Factories are protected. For the effective implementation of
the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 and other Labour Acts, inspections are periodically conducted in
Registered Factories and the following inspection forms are prescribed for this purpose.
(i) First Inspection Report for the use of Factory Inspections.
(ii) (ii) Factory Inspection Report for inspections by Factory Inspectors.

2. Factories in which 10 or more workers are employed and power is used in the manufacturing process and
Factories which are engaging 20 or more workers without using power in manufacturing process are
registered under Factories Act, 1948 and Rules, 1950.

3. The Plan approval authorities are as follows :-

4. The following formats are used for approval of plans and registration of Factory under Factories Act,
1948.
Form No. 1 : (Prescribed under Rule 3 of Tamil Nadu Factories Rules). Application for permission to
construct, extend or take into use any premises as a factory.
Form No.2 : Application for registration, grant or renewal of license for the year ------ and notice of
occupation specified in Section 6 (to be submitted in triplicate).
Some other format prescribed under Factories Act 1948

Form No. 3-A : Notice of change of Manager. Details of fees payable for getting initial license or
renewal of license under the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950.

5. Under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 the following formats are prescribed
for registration and grant of license to be obtained by the principal employer and the contractor
respectively.

Form No. I : (See Rule 17(1) Application for registration of establishment employing Contract Labour.

Form No. IV : (See Rule 21(1) Application for Licence by the Contractor.

Form No. V : (See Rule 21(2) Form of Certificates by Principal Employer. Under the Tamil Nadu
Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, the following formats are prescribed for
declaration of Holidays and intimation of working on any of the Holidays.

Form I (See Rule 3 (1) Notice of proposed Holidays

Form II (See Rule 3(2) Notice to employees
Form IV (See Rule 4 (2) Notice of change of Holidays
Form V A. ( See Rule 6(9) Notice to employees to work on Holidays.

Details of Fees payable for getting initial licence or renewal of licence under the Tamil Nadu Factories
Rules, 1950.
WELFARE SCHEMES FOR WORKERS :
I. GROUP PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME :
A Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme has been formulated for the benefit of workers of Match
and Fire Works Industries in Tamil Nadu.

The Scheme is designed to give relief against death, loss of limbs, loss of eye sight, etc. of the Insured
persons due to accidents. Accident Insurance is given to the insured persons on 24 hours basis and will
not be confined to accidents arising out of or in the course of actual occupation alone.

The Scheme covers the workers in Match and Fire Works industries in Tamil Nadu in the age group of
10 to 65 years.

II. FIRST AID APPLIANCES :

There shall be provided First Aid Boxes with prescribed contents and they shall be kept in the charge of
First Aid Trained persons in the Factory.
In Factories, employing more than 500 workers Ambulance Room containing the prescribed
equipments and in the charge of Nursing Staff shall be provided.
III. CANTEEN :
Canteen shall be provided and maintained in factories employing more than 250 workers.
IV. SHELTERS, REST ROOMS, LUNCH ROOMS :
Rest Room and Lunch Room shall be provided in factories where in more than 150 workers are
employed.
V. CRECHE :
Creche shall be provided and maintained under the charge of trained women in factories employing
more than 30 women workers.
VI. WELFARE OFFICERS :
To take care of the welfare of the workers, Welfare Officers shall be employed in factories employing
more than 500 workers.
DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTORATE OF FACTORIES