Himachal TCP proposes major changes in building norms under draft Sixteenth Amendment Rules, 2025
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Nov 8,
The Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has proposed a sweeping overhaul of building regulations across the state, introducing new norms for plot sizes, building heights, floor area ratios (FAR), and setbacks under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (Sixteenth Amendment) Rules, 2025.
The draft notification, published in the Rajpatra (Official Gazette) on November 3, 2025, invites public objections and suggestions within 30 days from the date of publication. Once finalized, these changes are expected to redefine construction practices and urban planning standards across Himachal Pradesh.
Revised height limits and FAR
As per the proposed norms, the maximum height for residential buildings has been capped at 21 meters, while multi-level parking structures can rise up to 25 meters.
For commercial and tourism buildings, permissible height will now depend on the width of the adjoining road — for instance, structures up to 21 meters will be allowed along 5-meter-wide roads.
This road-width-based approach aims to balance vertical growth with the carrying capacity of existing infrastructure.
Setback rationalization across categories
The draft amendment rationalizes setback requirements — the minimum open space to be maintained between a building and its plot boundary — across residential, commercial, tourism, and public utility categories.
For detached residential houses on plots measuring 150–250 square meters, the minimum setback is proposed as 2 meters in the front and 1.5 meters on all sides and rear.
Semi-detached and row houses will follow similar front and rear setback standards to maintain uniformity in residential layouts.
For commercial establishments, setback norms will vary depending on the total built-up area — typically ranging from 2 to 3 meters in the front and 1 to 2 meters on the sides and rear. Larger complexes such as cineplexes, multiplexes, and tourism units will be required to maintain broader setbacks.
For instance, a multiplex above 4,000 square meters must keep a 15-meter front setback and 9 meters on all sides, ensuring safety and spatial balance.
Enhanced parking and certification requirements
The department has also proposed an increase in parking space allocation.
For commercial or tourism complexes exceeding 4,000 square meters of built-up area, the new rule mandates three car parking spaces per 100 square meters, addressing growing concerns over parking shortages in urban centres.
In addition, the amendment introduces mandatory ownership certificates for all constructions and seeks to streamline the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), occupancy certificates, and completion certificates — a move aimed at minimizing bureaucratic delays and ensuring better compliance.
Public feedback invited
The TCP Department has called for public feedback before the rules are finalized. Suggestions and objections can be submitted in writing to the Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, within 30 days from the date of publication.
Officials said the draft Sixteenth Amendment aims to bring systematic urban growth, safety, and sustainability to the state’s expanding towns and peri-urban regions.
If approved, the new framework would mark one of the most comprehensive revisions to Himachal’s building laws in recent years — aligning construction practices with modern planning principles and environmental considerations.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
