Frequently Asked Questions
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is a statutory organization of the Tamil Nadu Government. Its responsibility is among other, to regulate all physical developments within Chennai Metropolitan Area on planned lines. For this purpose CMDA has prepared a Master Plan which designates the land use permissible in every part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Development, as per the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, means carrying out of any building, engineering, or other such operations on, over or under land and includes making any change in the use of Control Rules forming part of the Master Plan. (Booklet available on sale at CMDA).
Before you undertake any development you have to obtain Planning Permission from the CMDA, which is must under the Town & Country Planning Act. The permission is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. Planning Permission once issued can be renewed for another period of 3 years by an application within the validity period of issued Planning Permission.
Two categories of applications have been prescribed –Form-‘A’ for laying out of lands for building purposes and Form-‘B’ for all other development.
You can get an application form paying the appropriate amount from the offices of Chennai City Municipal Corporation, or the Municipality Township or Panchayat Union. These forms are not on sale in the CMDA office since applications are to be filed directly with the Corporation or local body.
Five copies of plans showing :
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A detailed site plan with the site distinguished clearly and the proposed structure located within the site, indicating specifically the dimensions by which it is set back from the property boundaries.
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Plan, elevation and sectional details of the structure proposed to be constructed or developed,distinguishing clearly the existing developments if any, as also full relevant details if the development comprised of institution of new use or change of use.
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Key plan showing the location of the site. These plans and the application are to be signed by the applicant and an Architect or aSurveyor, licensed by the local body for the purpose.
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Clearance from the competent authority (if necessary)
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Sale deed / Lease deed and Patta to establish your title to the land.
IN CASE OF ANY DIFFICULTIES WITH REGARD TO GETTING CLARIFICTION ON THE SERVICES RENDERED BY CMDA; MEET THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO) CONCERNED FOR HELP.
With the Chennai City Municipal Corporation / Municipality / Town Panchayat / Panchayat Union, as the case may be.
Your application will be scrutinized with reference to the land use for which site has been designed under the Master Plan or the Detailed Development Plan read with the Development Control Rule corresponding to that particular use.
If the application satisfies the Development Control Rules, Planning Permission will be issued, and if not,Planning Permission will be refused by the Local Authority. Only in major cases the applications may haveto be referred to the CMDA by he local Authority, for its scrutiny.
Your site will invariably be inspected by either the Building plan Surveyor / Town Planning Officer or Engineer concerned or an official of the Local Authority / official of CMDA as the case may be.
A decision on your application will be communicated to you, barring exceptional circumstances, within 45 days from the date on which you file your application.
If Permission is refused by the Local Authority or the CMDA you may appeal to the Government at Housing and Urban Development Department.
If you carry out any developments without proper permission it will be treated as unauthorized development. Construction made without permission can be demolished under the Act.
In the case of deviation from the approved plan also, permission is to be obtained. A revised plan showing the deviations should be submitted and the procedure for the approval of the original plan will apply to all such deviation plans also.
If your application is fit to be approved, a demand will be sent to you by the local authority / CMDA for payment of development charges and other fees applicable. The rate will depend on the proposed uses and the floor area.
Obtain permission for any development / construction you decide to carry out. Complete development within the prescribed time or otherwise the permit lapses.