Delhi Building Bye-Laws 2025

Delhi, the capital city of India, is known for its rapid urbanization, growing infrastructure, and an ever-expanding real estate sector. Hence, to regulate all these construction activities, there is an urgent need for laws that maintain safety standards and ensure sustainable development. The Delhi Building Bye-Laws, established by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with municipal bodies, lay down the guidelines for all such construction activities. Whether they are residential, commercial, or industrial projects, compliance with these MCD Building Bye-Laws is mandatory before any construction in the capital.

Read the blog to learn more about Delhi Building Bye Laws in detail. 

Table of Contents

• Building Bye-Laws
• What is the Purpose of Delhi Building Bye-Laws
• Key Provisions of Delhi Building Bye Laws
• Latest Update on Delhi Building Bye Laws

What are Building Bye-Laws?

Building Bye-Laws are a set of regulations that govern construction practices to ensure safety, sustainability, and orderly urban development. Implemented and enforced by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi building bye-laws regulate everything from the height of buildings to parking and fire safety regulations. 

What is the Purpose of Delhi Building Bye-Laws?

Listed below are the prime objectives of implementing the MCD building bye-laws in Delhi:

1. Ensuring planned and systematic development of the city.
2. Preventing unauthorized construction and encroachment.
3. Regulating building construction in alignment with safety and environmental norms.
4. Maintaining uniformity in construction standards across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. 
5. Promoting sustainable and eco-friendly building practices. 

Key Provisions of Delhi Building Bye Laws

Building bye-laws in Delhi apply to all types of buildings and developments within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). 

The key provisions of Delhi building bye-laws are as follows:

Height: This aspect specifies the maximum permissible height of buildings depending on their location and zoning regulations. 

• The height of the chimneys and parapet walls should be within 1.5 m.
• The permissible height of the screen wall is up to 1.8 m.
• The permissible height of roof tanks and their supports can be up to 1.8 m.
• The pergola can extend up to the height of the mumty (stair cover), with a maximum height of 3 m above the terrace of the top floor.
• Solar panels can be installed at any height on the terrace, rooftop, or ground level. 
• Ventilating apparatus, lift machine rooms, and air conditioning equipment can be installed at any height, provided they meet the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Ground Coverage: Ground coverage is the total ground area covered within the outside walls, excluding the balcony, canopy, shaft, and projection. 

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in Delhi is the ratio between the floor area and the plot area.
• FAR in Dellhi is calculated keeping in mind factors such as density and land use. 
• The permitted built-up area on a plot of land is calculated by considering the FAR calculation.
• For instance, a 200 sq.m. plot with a FAR of 250 permits a total built-up area of 500 sq.m. on all storeys. This built-up area can be distributed across multiple floors based on design and zoning regulations.

Balcony: There is a permissible width and projection of balconies depending on the type of building and zoning rules. 

• The balcony can be constructed within the plot line up to a maximum width of 1.5 m without being counted in the FAR
• A maximum area of 10 m with a depth of up to 3 m is allowed without being included in FAR
• A maximum area of 10 m with a depth of up to 3 m is allowed without being included in FAR for a minimum double-height open terrace.
• End walls measuring up to 0.9 m in a terrace-type construction balcony are permitted.
• Wrap-around continuous balconies are allowed if their areas don’t exceed 40% of the total open area. 

Canopy: The Delhi Building Bye Laws also have a provision for a cantilevered structure over entrances, also known as the canopy of a building. 

• Canopies are permitted over ground-floor entrances up to a maximum height of 3 m from the ground level.
• A minimum of 30% of the setback area should be maintained as open to the sky. 
• Front setback canopies can be of up to 2.4 m depth if the front setback is 3 m deep.
• Front setback canopies can be of up to 3 m depth if the front setback is 6 m or more deep.
• Front setback canopies can extend up to 2.4 m if the front setback is at least 3 m.
• Side setback canopies can extend up to 2.4 m if the side setback is at least 3 m.

Basement: There is a maximum permissible depth and ventilation requirement to be followed as per the MCD building bye-laws for basements. 

• The minimum height of the basement from the beam bottom or soffit should be 4 m and the minimum width should be 2.4 m.
• The basement walls and floors must be watertight.
• There must be proper ventilation provision in the basement. 
• If there is a lift in the building, then it must serve the basement. 
• Access to the basement should be provided either from the main or the alternate staircase.
• There should be proper surface drainage provision.
• Up to 40% of the total setback area should be for ventilation, access, basement light, and fire vehicle access.
• There is a provision to build a sunken courtyard as a light shaft for basement light and ventilation within the building envelope.
• Up to a 2 m buffer zone should be kept from the neighbor’s plot while building the basement. 

Stilt Parking: There is now a mandatory requirement of parking on the ground level while keeping the main structure elevated in many residential and commercial buildings. 

• The stilt parking must have at least two open sides for parking and landscaping.
• Stilt construction is mandatory for plot areas ranging from 100 to 1000 sq m.
• It should have a minimum height of 2.4 m at the soffit level of the beam and a maximum height of 2.7 m at the soffit level of the slab.

Setback: This aspect fixes the minimum distance between the building and the plot boundaries, ensuring adequate light, safety, and ventilation. It is essential to keep in mind the setback line to ensure correct building separation and to prevent overpopulation.

Builders and developers to adhere to the minimum setback requirements:

FAQs about Delhi Building Bye-Laws