The new amendment (G.O. No. 94 dated 18.07.2024) to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 permits applicants to secure instant building permits through self-certification of buildings. This initiative has been introduced to simplify and accelerate the approval process for residential building construction.
Under this scheme, housing plots up to 2500 sq.ft. and buildings with a maximum built-up area of 3500 sq.ft. (Ground Floor + One additional floor) are eligible for instant approval, allowing homeowners to obtain permits quickly without lengthy permission procedures.
Self Certification of Building Plan Approval in Tamil nadu
What is Self-Certification for Building Permissions:
- A new module in the Single Window Portal allows instant registration for residential structures (ground or ground + one floor) without requiring a completion certificate.
- Eligible plots must be in approved layouts or regularized under specific rules.
- Applicable for plot sizes up to 2500 sq.ft. and built-up areas up to 3500 sq.ft.
Fee Categories Self-certification of Building Plan Approval Online Tamil Nadu
1. Fee for Residential Construction in Chennai Metropolitan City:
Rs. 1076/sq.m | Rs. 100/sq.ft |
2. Fee for Residential Construction in Corporation Areas:
| 325 sq.m (3500 sq.ft) | Rate |
| S.No | Category of Corporation Houses | No. of Units | Rate/sq.m(Rs) | Rate/ sq.ft(Rs)
|
| 1 | Special grade A | 3 | 950 | 88 |
| 2 | Special grade B | 3 | 900 | 84 |
| 3 | Selection Grade | 5 | 850 | 79 |
| 4 | Grade 1 | 3 | 800 | 74 |
| 5 | Grade 2 | 6 | 800 | 74 |
| Total | 20 |
3.Fee for Municipalities Residential Construction:
| 325 sq.m (3500 sq.ft) | Rate |
| S.No | Category for Municipal Houses | No. of Units | Rate/sq.m (Rs) | Rate/sq.ft (Rs) |
| 1 | Special Grade Municipalities | 16 | 800 | 74 |
| 2 | Selection grade municipalities | 29 | 800 | 70 |
| 3. | Grade I municipalities | 31 | 750 | 70 |
| 4 | Grade II municipalities | 62 | 750 | 70 |
| Total | 138 |
4. Fee Categories for Town Panchayats:
| 325 sq.m (3500 sq.ft) | Rate |
| S.No | Category of Town Panchayats | No. of Units | Rate/sq.m(Rs) | Rate/sq.ft (Rs) |
| 1 | Special Grade Town Panchayat | 62 | 750 | 70 |
| 2 | Selection Grade Town Panchayat | 179 | 700 | 65 |
| 3 | First Grade Town Panchayat | 190 | 500 | 45 |
| 4 | Second Grade Town Panchayat | 59 | 485 | 45 |
| Total | 490 |
Consolidated Fees for Self-certification of Buildings:
| Greater Chennai Corporation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Fee | ||||
| S.No | Description | Sq. meter | Sq. feet | |
| 1 | Development Charges | Rs 15/sq.m | Rs. 100/- | |
| 2 | Building Licence Fees | Rs 600/sq.m | ||
| 3 | Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Fund | Rs 267/sq.m | ||
| 4 | Road Cut Restoration Charges | Rs 194/sq.m | ||
| Total | Rs 1076/- | Rs. 100/- | ||
Benefits of Self Certification module in Building Plan:
- The module simplifies the process of building plan approval of residential buildings .
- It avoids delays, eliminates intermediaries, and allows direct application by citizens.
- Post-approval inspections will be carried out.
Documents Required for Self Certification Building Plan Approval
- Registered professional (Architect/registered Engineer) signed building plan (in PDF format)
- Registered sale deed in favor of the applicant (Self attested)
- Patta / Town Survey Land Register in the name of applicant (Self attested)
- Approved Layout document (Self attested )
- Site photographs.
Village Panchayat Building Plan Approval:
The document is a government order (G.O. (Ms.) No. 119, dated 16.07.2024) issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department of Tamil Nadu. It introduces a Self-Certification of buildings plan approvals under the Online Single Window Portal. Based on that government order, Residential buildings with a plot area up to 2,500 sq. ft. and built-up area up to 3,500 sq. ft. (ground or ground plus one floor) can obtain instant building plan approval without requiring a completion certificate.
Gradation of Village Panchayats: Village Panchayats are categorized into four groups (A, B, C, D) based on their location and urbanization level. Around 690 village panchayats were declared as Peri-urban village panchayats. This categorization determines the fees for building plan approvals.
Gradation of Village panchayats:
| Category | Categorisation | No. of Village Panchayats |
| A | Peri Urban Village Panchayats in CMDA Limit | 78 |
| B | Peri-Urban Village Panchayats in other areas | 612 |
| C | Other village panchayats in CMDA Limit | 44 |
| D | Rest of the Village Panchayats | 11,791 |
| Total | 12,525 |
Village Panchayat Building Plan Approval Fees:
Below is the village panchayat residential building plan approval fees. The charges mentioned are exclusive of the construction workers welfare fund under the Tamil Nadu Manual workers. These charges will be collected separately in the self certification module, also 25% charges shall be remitted to the CMDA as per existing orders if it lies in the category A and C. The additional Chief Secretary to the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is authorized to make modifications to the module in consultation with the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.
Category | Categorization of VPs | Rate per Sq.m (Rs) | Rate per Sq.ft (Rs) |
A | Peri Urban Village Panchayats in CMDA limit | 290 | 27 |
B | Peri Urban Village Panchayats in other areas | 269 | 25 |
C | Other Village Panchayats in CMDA Limit | 237 | 22 |
D | Rest of the Village Panchayats | 162 | 15 |
The initiative aims to streamline and standardize building plan approvals, ensuring uniformity and efficiency across Tamil Nadu.
Planning Parameters and Building Rules for Self Certified Building
Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development Building Rules 2019 for a self-certification scheme for building permissions states that certain parameters and building rules, Such as
| S.No | Description | Continuous Building Areas | Economically Weaker Section Areas | Other Areas | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Min road width | 1.5m | 1.53m | 3m | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | Max length | GF + 1F subject to a maximum of 7m height | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Permissible FSI | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Minimum Setback | Where street alignment/new road is prescribed, it shall be from the start alignment/new road line. In the case of others, it shall be from the property boundary. | ||||||||||||||||
| (i) | Front setback | 1.5m | 1.0m | 1.5m | ||||||||||||||
| (ii) | Side setback | Nil | Nil |
Plot width: upto 9m - 1m on one side Above 9m - 1m on either side or 2m on one side |
||||||||||||||
| (iii) | Rear setback | Nil | ||||||||||||||||
| (iv) |
Buffer from water bodies (inclusive of setbacks)
|
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- Minimum road width: 1.5 m for continuous building areas, 3 m for other areas.
- Maximum height: Ground floor plus one floor, not exceeding 7 m.
- Permissible Floor Space Index (FSI): 2.0.
Fees sanction for Self certified building
- Self-certified applications are exempt from scrutiny fees. Only necessary fees at the rates prescribed shall be paid.
- Once paid, approved plans with proceedings and e-sign shall be generated online and can be downloaded.
Verification of Self Certified Building Plan
- Random verification of 10% of applications monthly by competent authority.
- Permissions valid for five years, extendable once for three years.
- Authority can inspect construction at any stage and enforce compliance.
- Renewal fees may be prescribed by the competent authority.
- Fraudulent applications may lead to prosecution under relevant laws.
- False information can result in cancellation of permissions after a show cause notice.
Source: GO for self-certification
The way ahead for building plan approvals in Tamil Nadu
The introduction of the Self-Certification Module marks a major step in modernizing building plan approvals in Tamil Nadu. By simplifying procedures, reducing delays, and eliminating unnecessary intermediaries, this system empowers homeowners to obtain instant approvals for residential buildings.
With clearly defined fee structures for Chennai, corporations, municipalities, town panchayats, and village panchayats, the process ensures transparency, uniformity, and accessibility across the state. The online Single Window Portal enables applicants to submit documents, pay fees, and download approved plans seamlessly, while retaining government oversight through random verifications and inspections.
Overall, this initiative strikes a balance between citizen convenience and regulatory compliance, ensuring faster approvals, reduced costs, and better accountability in residential construction. It not only benefits individual homeowners but also contributes to Tamil Nadu’s vision of efficient, citizen-friendly governance in urban and rural development.
