Shops Can Now Be Built on Residential Plots; Construction Regulations Eased by State

 

In a significant relief to homeowners wanting to build shops within residential premises, the Uttar Pradesh government has amended construction norms to allow commercial use of residential plots situated on roads 24 meters or wider.

Under the newly proposed Building Construction and Development Regulations – 2025, homeowners will now be permitted to undertake more extensive construction on such plots. For instance, plots on roads 45 meters or wider can also be used for multi-storey commercial buildings.

Earlier, property owners faced restrictions and harassment for running small businesses from their homes. With the new provisions, residential plots on roads of at least 24 meters width can now legally host commercial activities.

Similarly, in rural areas, gram sabha land can now also be used for building shops and residential-cum-commercial structures, subject to approvals. Urban areas will see increased utilization of land for such mixed-use development, relieving pressure on central commercial zones.

Key Highlights of the Proposed Law:

• Only residential buildings on 24-meter-wide or wider roads can be used to build shops.
• For plots up to 100 sqm (residential) and 30 sqm (commercial), approval won’t require a manual sanction. Instead, online registration and self-certification will suffice.
• The new regulations will replace the 2008 Building Construction and Development Regulations.

The Housing Department is currently finalizing the draft rules and will soon present them to the state cabinet. Officials have said that after cabinet approval, the new rules will be implemented within a month.