Haryana New Building Rules: Government Proposes One Home Per Floor Norm in Major Cities

The Haryana government has released a draft amendment to the state's building code, proposing stricter regulations for residential buildings in several urban areas. If implemented, property owners will be permitted to construct a maximum of four floors, with only one independent residential unit on each floor.

The proposal is part of the government's broader effort to improve safety standards in residential buildings and address issues arising from overcrowding.

Which Cities Could Be Affected?

The proposed rules are expected to apply to several rapidly growing urban centres, including:

• Gurugram
• Faridabad
• Panchkula
• Karnal
• Hisar
• Jhajjar
• Rohtak
• Sonipat

These cities have witnessed rapid urban expansion in recent years, with many residential buildings being developed into multiple independent apartments on each floor.

What Is Changing Under the Draft Rules?

According to the draft building code:

• A residential building can have up to four floors.
• Only one independent residential unit will be allowed on each floor.
• Constructing two or more separate flats on a single floor would no longer be permitted if the proposal is approved.

Currently, many residential buildings have two or even three independent apartments on the same floor, leading to higher occupancy than originally approved.

Why Is the Government Introducing These Changes?

The proposed amendments have been prepared following concerns over fire safety and emergency evacuation in densely occupied residential buildings.

Officials believe that allowing multiple independent units on a single floor significantly increases the number of occupants, making evacuation during emergencies such as fires much more difficult.

The revised norms aim to improve:

• Fire safety
• Emergency evacuation
• Building occupancy management
• Urban infrastructure planning
• Compliance with approved development standards

Public Suggestions Invited Until July 25

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has invited public comments and suggestions on the draft proposal until July 25.

According to the draft issued by Director Amit Khatri, the government will review stakeholder feedback before finalizing the revised building regulations.

How Will the New Rules Impact Homeowners?

If implemented, the new policy would ensure that residential buildings remain within their approved occupancy limits.

Building plans are approved based on factors such as:

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
• Plot size
• Parking availability
• Staircase width
• Emergency exits
• Water and electricity infrastructure
• Fire safety provisions

Officials say that multiple independent units on a single floor often place excessive pressure on these facilities, creating safety and infrastructure challenges.

Final Approval Still Pending

It is important to note that these are proposed draft regulations, not final rules. The government is currently seeking public feedback before issuing a final notification.

If approved, the revised building code could significantly influence future residential construction across Haryana's major urban centres by prioritizing safety, planned development, and better infrastructure management.