Tamil Nadu government looking to launch common building rules

Tamil Nadu will come under the ambit of single development regulations with the government all set to launch the Tamil Nadu Combined Development Regulation and Building Rules, 2018, on Monday. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will release the Common Building Rules on Monday, housing and urban development department sources said. While the draft rules were released last year, the state cabinet gave its nod a fortnight ago. Sources said residential developments having more than three dwelling units or 750 sqft would require a completion certificate (CC) before occupation. Currently, the corporation has mandated CC for buildings with four dwelling units and above. Impetus has been given on the association of professionals engaged in housing projects. Constructions cannot continue without replacing the structural engineer for a respective project, who quit the housing project midway. Sources also said the number of dwelling units allowed on a six metre-wide road has been increased to eight from six. “If road width is between six and nine metres, about 16 dwelling units would be permitted under the rules,” the official added. On a nine metre road, stilt + 5 or ground + four would be allowed with a height restriction of 18.3 metres. Building categories have been simplified as high rise and non-high rise, wherein any development above stilt + 5 would be considered as high-rise. Moreover, relaxation on frontage and setback in construction site and reduction in land required for construction in aquifer recharge areas have made into the common building rules. “The rules would be notified on the same day after the CM releases it. The rules are expected to come into effect from Monday,” a housing and urban development department official said.