Tamil Nadu Eases Building Permits with Self-Certification Scheme

In a move designed to ease residential construction in Tamil Nadu, the state government has launched a self-certification scheme through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Announced as part of the 2024-25 state budget, this initiative allows individuals building homes with a built-up area of up to 3,500 square feet on plots not exceeding 2,500 square feet to acquire permits quickly and efficiently. The scheme targets smaller projects, offering significant procedural relaxations to streamline the building process.

Key benefits of the scheme include the elimination of pre-site and final inspections for homes with a ground floor or a ground floor plus first floor configuration, limited to a height of 7 meters. By paying the required fees, applicants can obtain a building permit instantly, complete with a QR code for validation. The new system reduces the scrutiny fee to ₹2 per square meter and sets back requirements to a mere 1.5 meters. Applicants are also exempt from infrastructure development charges, reducing their financial burden by ₹375 per square meter.

The initiative is expected to be especially impactful in rural areas, where approximately 72% of residential building permit applications are submitted. The single-window clearance system will further expedite the process for town panchayats and municipalities, which account for 77% and 79% of the applications, respectively. By cutting red tape and simplifying documentation, the scheme aims to alleviate the struggles historically faced by property owners and accelerate housing development across the state.