Common Building Rules to govern development activities of Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Soon development in entire Tamil Nadu, including Greater Chennai, will be governed by a Common Building Rules, according to Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam.

Speaking after inaugurating STATECON 2018 conclave organised by Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), the deputy chief minister said that the suggestions and observations are being sought against the draft common building rules and once the exercise is over it will be implemented.

Paneerselvam said that under the common building rules, buildings across the state will be divided into high rise buildings and non high rise buildings. The Common Building Rules will also have building norms for differently-abled, senior citizens and children, the minister said. 

It is learnt that the government is seeking a feedback from Confederation of Real Estate Developers Authority of India (CREDAI), Builders Association of India, Indian Institute of Architects and Association of Professional Town Planners.



Interestingly, Tamil Nadu government prepared the blueprint to frame ‘Tamil Nadu Common building Rules, 2016’ for local bodies in accordance with the provisions of the Model Building bye-laws.

The Common Building Rules for entire Tamil Nadu would mean that now there won’t be different set of development rules for corporations, municipalities, town panchayats and panchayats.

Now there will be 60 set of development rules which will govern the entire state. The new building rules also have several new clauses like the need to get Occupancy certificate and completion certificate.

As per the new rules, applicant or owner or power of attorney holder or registered developer and any other person who is acquiring interest shall not put the building to use without obtaining Occupancy Certificate from executive authority of local body or agency or person to whom this power has been delegated.

The draft rules also makes building permit granted under these rules valid for three years from the date of issue and the construction shall be completed within the same. However, it could be renewed on application made before the expiry date. The permit could be extended only once.

Interestingly, the state has drafted Common Building Rules in 1999. It was approved in 2000 but within six months it was scrapped. In 2004, the move to draft was started again and the draft was ready by 2009. However, it was not implemented.

In 2012, Madras High Court gave a order to consider a petition filed  by Association of Professional Town Planners (APTP) president K M Sadanand and to enact rules in four months but it was never done following which a contempt petition was filed.



Factfile:



1. The common building rules for Tamil Nadu is being drafted in accordance with the provisions of the Model Building bye-laws.

2. Building Bye-laws are legal tools used to regulate coverage, height, building bulk and architectural design and construction aspects of building to achieve orderly development of the area.

3. The Model Building Bye-laws prepared by Centre was updated keeping in view norms for rooftop solar photo voltaic installation, additional provisions in building regulations for natural hazard prone areas and conservation of heritage buildings