Building Permits Based on Self Declaration of Owners

Kerala Panchayat Building (Amendment) Rules 2021 

at a Glance

  Added new definitions of low risk buildings, foundation level inspection and self-Certification

Self-certified building permit and receipt are the most important documents

The building owner and the empaneled license jointly certify that the building plan and site plan for the construction or reconstruction of low-risk buildings are in accordance with the rules and regulations.

More responsibilities were given to the owner of low-risk buildings and empaneled engineers.

Rules 19A to 19F were added.

For Self-Certification Appendix A1A included in the Rules

For Acknowledgement Receipt Appendix A1A included in the Rules

Low Risk Buildings

Under Group A1 occupancy, Residential Buildings with built up area of less than 300 square meters and height less than seven meters and limited to two storeys.

Hostel, orphanage, dormitory, old age home, seminary Under Group A2 occupancy Buildings having built up area less than 200 square meters.

 Educational buildings  Under  Group  B  occupancy  having  built  up  area  less  than  200  square  meters 

Group  D  occupancy  buildings  where  persons  congregate  for religious  and  patriotic  purposes  having  built  up  area  less  than  200  square  meters

 Group F occupancy buildings having built up area less than 100 square meters

Group G1 occupancy buildings without any nuisance and not dangerous and having built up area less than 100 square meters

Plinth level inspection

‘Plinth  level  inspection’  is  defined  as  the  inspection  at  site  as  prescribed  when  the  construction reaches  at  the  plinth  level.  In the case of pile foundation this inspection is done at the stage where pile cap is completed. Plinth level inspection shall be carried out for low risk buildings.

Self-Certification

'Self-Certification' means self-certification issued jointly by the owner of the building and the empaneled licensee to the effect that, the building plan and site plan for the construction or reconstruction of the low risk buildings, are in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules, for the time being in force, and any lawful direction issued, any stipulation as to the standard of specifications, laws, rules and directions.

Other important things

The building permit will be cancelled and a fine will be imposed if the details submitted by the owner or licensee in the declarations are found to be wrong.

The local body institutions secretary will issue the acknowledgement slip within five days of receiving the plan, which can be used as a building permit, the draft bill says. The building permit will be cancelled and a fine will be imposed if the details submitted by the owner or licensee in the declarations are found to be wrong, apart from cancelling the license of the licensee.

The fine will be Rs 2 lakhs for buildings having a plinth area up to 100 sq m for violations, Rs 4 lakhs for buildings having a plinth area up to 200 sq m area, and Rs 6 lakhs for buildings up to 300 sq m area. A joint declaration should be given by the owner and licensee and the building plan and site plan should be in tune with existing rules and laws, the draft bill says.  

The 30-day time frame given for the local self-government institution secretary to take a decision on issuing the building permit has been reduced to 15 days. Work on commercial or industrial buildings that do not pose any threat can be started based on the self-declaration of the owner but the height of the buildings should be within 7 meters and up to two stories with a plinth area up to 100 sq m.