UDD issues final notification amending setback rules for Bengaluru buildings

The Karnataka Urban Development Department (UDD) on Monday issued a final notification amending setback norms for buildings built on plots of up to 4,000 sq. m in Bengaluru. The final notification introduces staggered setbacks for sites up to 250 sq. m, depending on the size of the plot, which was earlier being calculated as a percentage of the plot depth and width.

As per the revised norms, buildings on plots up to 60 sq. m (20X30 sites) have to leave a setback of 0.75 m in the front and 0.6 m on any one side. However, the setback for the rear side has been dropped for plots up to 60 sq. m.

Buildings on plots above 60 sq. m up to 150 sq. m (30X40 and 30X50 sites) have to leave a setback of 0.9 m in the front, 0.7 m in the rear, and 0.7 m on any one side. For the buildings on plots above 150 sq. m and up to 250 sq. m, the front side should have a setback of 1 m, the rear side should have 0.80 m, and the other sides should have 0.80 m each.

For plots above 250 sq. m and up to 4,000 sq. m, setbacks are linked to plot dimensions. The front setback must be 12% of the site depth, the rear setback 8% of the site depth, and the side setbacks 8% of the site width on both sides. For plots above 4000 sq. m, a minimum setback of 5 m on all sides has been mandated. The notification notes that for plots up to 250 sq. m, the maximum permissible building height is 12.0 m, excluding the stilt floor.

Further, an open staircase can be allowed in the setback area in a plot size of up to 750 sq m. The setback area shall not be paved or covered by any hard surface which prevents percolation of rainwater, as far as possible.

Earlier in August this year, the UDD had amended setback norms to accommodate stilt parking and introduced a calibrated setback system for buildings above the height of 12 m. The final notification provides for vehicle parking in the basement or at any level of the upper floors, including the terrace area, by using lifts, computerised, mechanised, or hydraulic equipment, and lays down rules for the same.

The mechanical equipment for the same shall be placed on the basement floor only, which should have access via a staircase as well. The builders have to ensure provision for manual operation as well to tackle emergencies.