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The state government of Kerala issued sweeping amendments to its building regulations earlier this week, introducing a streamlined permit system that allows self-certification for residential buildings up to 300 sq m and commercial buildings up to 250 sq m. The changes remove pre-construction inspections for many projects, delegate greater authority to local bodies, ease setbacks for small-plot owners and relax parking norms. These reforms aim to accelerate construction approvals, reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance transparency in the regulatory process.
The government of Kerala has implemented substantial revisions to its building rules in order to simplify approvals, enhance transparency and speed up construction permits. The reforms were announced after consultations with district-level adalats, town planners, industry representatives and self-government experts. Advertisement
Under the updated system, residential buildings up to 300 sq m will now qualify for immediate self-certified permits with no limit on height, enabling an estimated 80 per cent of homes to obtain clearance automatically once the online application is submitted. For commercial buildings, the threshold for self-certification has been raised from 100 sq m to 250 sq m, and industrial units in the G-1 category under pollution-control board white/green zones up to 200 sq m also become eligible for instant approval.
In a major departure from prior practice, pre-construction inspections will be waived when applications are digitally verified via the Smart LSGD system. Site inspections will now occur only after completion of the plinth level, thereby placing responsibility for accurate submissions on applicants and licensed professionals.
Small-plot owners were granted significant relief: for houses up to 100 sq m on plots under two cents along un-notified narrow roads, the required setback has been relaxed from 2 m to 1 m. Additionally, all government buildings (including schools) will now require construction permits, albeit exempt from fees.
The scope of local body secretaries issuing permits without district town planner approval has been widened. For example, hospitals above 6,000 sq m, industries above 3,000 sq m and storage buildings above 8,000 sq m will now need the DTP's clearance - a change expected to reduce approval delays.
Permit-transfer rules have been liberalised to remain valid even if part of the land is sold. Revised permit and extension fees have been reduced, and parking norms have been eased - hostels and old-age homes now require only half or one-quarter of the previous parking space, and parking may be accommodated on a nearby plot owned by the same applicant.
Further, floor-space index (FSI) and building coverage limits have been enhanced. Educational institutions can now have up to 40 per cent coverage, whereas IT parks may go up to 70 per cent coverage and FSI 7. Turf grounds and sports courts have been reclassified as 'recreational' with fewer restrictions; small-scale industries benefit from reduced setback and room-height requirements.
The Minister overseeing local self-government and excise stated that the amendments address 53 of the original 117 rules, add two new regulations and delete one. He described the reforms as aiming to foster a transparent, people-friendly and efficient construction-approval regime.
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