Tamil Nadu Allows Registered Architects, Engineers to Certify Smaller Building Plans

Coimbatore: Property owners in Coimbatore and across Tamil Nadu can apply for planning permission and building permits for eligible projects through a new third-party certification scheme. The Housing and Urban Development Department introduced the scheme through G.O. Ms. No. 179, dated October 7, 2026, amending the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019.

Architects registered with the Council of Architecture and Grade I engineers registered on the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal can act as third-party certifiers. They must inspect the site, check ownership records, verify plot dimensions and access-road width, and confirm that the proposal complies with the applicable master plan, zoning and building rules. Once the prescribed fees are paid, the portal generates the approved plan and proceedings with a QR code.

Which buildings qualify

Residential buildings can have up to 750 sq. m. of floor area counted towards the Floor Space Index (FSI), a maximum height of 14 metres and up to eight dwelling units. Commercial buildings can have up to 300 sq. m. of FSI area and a maximum height of 14 metres. Both categories can have up to three floors above a stilt or two floors above a ground floor, subject to the height limit.

White and Green category industrial buildings can qualify with up to 2,500 sq. m. of FSI area and a maximum height of 18.30 metres. They must be located in an industrial layout developed by SIPCOT, SIDCO or ELCOT, or in another approved industrial layout.

For residential and commercial projects, eligible sites include plots in approved layouts or subdivisions, plots in layouts regularised under the 2017 rules, and plots registered under deeds executed before October 20, 2016. The scheme excludes Natham lands, notified hill areas, restricted development zones and sites reserved for roads, road widening or other public purposes, among other exclusions.

Random checks and responsibility for violations

The competent authority must randomly verify at least 10% of applications submitted each month and can inspect plans or construction at any stage. Once construction is complete, the certifier must submit a compliance report to the authority if the building conforms to the approved plan. The applicant and certifier are jointly responsible for misrepresentation, deviations or violations. The authority can revoke permissions obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.