NBC Rules and Requirements (NBC, 1983)

Such rules and regulations which affect the selection of site alone are listed as follows. In the next unit, on Planning of Buildings, more details will be presented. 

Limitations of build-up areas and heights of buildings are achieved by specifying them in terms of Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The FAR is the quotient obtained by dividing the total covered area (Plinth area) at all the floors by the area of the plot. 

                     Total covered  area of all  floors 

FAR  =    -------------------------------------------------------

                                       Plot  area 

Certain guide lines are given in the NBC and the local authority is likely to modify them, by taking into account other aspects like density of population of any area, parlung facilities required, traffic load (road width) and the services available etc. The height of buildings may be regulated, in addition, keeping in view the local fire fighting facilities. 

Land use is controlled by zoning and the classification of zones is given as under : 

(a)  Residential zone, including residential with shop lines at ground floor, 

(b)  Commercial zone, both local and district areas, 

(c)  Industrial zone, consisting of service, general and special industries, 

(d)  Green zone, including ribbon development along roads, 

(e)  Special reservations for governmental, defence and transportation purposes. 

The various building uses and occupancies permitted in the various zones shall be as given in the master plan of the area, which is to be consulted before the selection of a site. 

• Development on plots shall be permitted only when it is accessible by a public street of width not less than 6 meters. For high rise buildings and buildings other then residential buildings, additional provisions of means of access shall be ensured as outlined below : (a) the width of the main street on which the building abuts shall not be less than 12 m and one end of this street shall join another street, not less than 12 m in width. (b)  the main entrance to the plot shall be of adequate width (4.5 m) to allow access to a fire engine. 
• The building line, the line upto which the plinth of a building adjoining a street may lawfully extend, shall be set back at least 3 m from internal means of access in a layout of buildings in a plot; 
• In residential and commercial zones of 0.3 hectares or more, community open spaces of 15 percent of the area of the lay out, shall be provided subject to a minimum of 450 m2.
• In industrial zones of area 0.8 hectare or more, 5 percent of the area shall be reserved for amenity open space and parking space. Where such amenity 
• open space exceeds 1500 m2, the excess area can be utilised for construction of banks, canteens, and welfare centres etc. 
• For industrial plots the minimum plot size is 300 m2 and its width shall not be less then 15 m. 
• For coinmunity halls the size of the plot shall not he lets then 1000 m2.
• For theatres, the minimum size of the plot shall be calculated on the basis of seating capacity of the building at the rate of 3 m2 per seat. 
• The maximum height of a building shall not exceed 1.5 times the width of  road abutting plus the front open space. 
• Layouts shall provide for facilities such as nursery and primary schools and higher educational facilities, health facilities, commercial & communication facilities etc. 

It is evident from the foregoing that development control rules, while restricting to some extent the freedom of the owner in developing his site towards maximum utilisation , ensure ventilation, insulation, natural lighting, prevention of shadows on streets, good access and facilities for fire fighting, and good living.