1. Land Title Document

The very beginning step to building plan approval is to make sure that the builder has a clear title of the land over which the building is proposed to be constructed. In other words, the application will be scrutinized for its conformity to the land use under Detailed Development Plan. They need to ensure that they are the owner of the land. Neither should there be any pending mortgages against the land, nor any financial disputes concerning to the land. The time required to obtain clear title/ownership certificate is 15 days and is provided to the builder by the Revenue Department.

2. Land Clearance

Zoning laws vary from one zone to another. On account of urbanization, an agricultural land may have been converted to non-agricultural land for residential purposes. In such cases, an approval from local body and the Chennai Ministry of Urban Development (UD) is needed for its conversion. The site will be inspected by the Building Plan Inspector/ Town Plan Officer of CMDA. At the counselling and consultancy counter of CMDA’s Office Complex at Egmore, details of land use and clarification of Development Regulations can be obtained.

3. Building Plan Submission

The builder must evaluate the building plan drafted by the architect and make sure the architect incorporates all the changes required before submission. In other words, once the builder is completely satisfied, the plan must be frozen. The auto – DCR software is used for the scrutiny of the plan. No drastic changes will be allowed hereafter. The building plan comprises of a graphical representation of what the building will look like after construction. It helps ensure that the building complies with the existent building laws. Once the building plan is approved, commencement certificate will be provided. That is the permission to begin construction from local development authority of Chennai. With the absence of the above mentioned documents, the builder does not have the right to lay the foundation stone or begin construction.

4. Certificate of Completion

After the completion of the construction process, the completion certificate will be issued following an authorised inspection by the Corporation of Chennai within 3 days from the date of submission. This makes sure the building has been built in accordance with the initially approved plan. It is mandatory to own a completion certificate before the builder gets to sell the building.

5. Resources and Services

An approval from the concerned Local body of Chennai is necessary for electricity, gas and water, both for portable and non-portable use inside the building. The aforementioned amenities will only be provided if the building complies with all existing building laws. A “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” must be obtained from the pollution board and the municipality of Chennai in order for the approval for sewer and water supply.

6. Certificate of Occupancy

Finally, the local authority of Chennai must provide the occupancy certificate before any kind of occupancy or activity in the building can take place. The local body then forwards the proposals to concerned authorities of the Chennai.