Andhra Pradesh amends building rules to fast-track project approvals

Andhra Pradesh municipal minister P Narayana on Wednesday announced comprehensive amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017, aimed at streamlining construction approvals, encouraging investment and improving regulatory transparency.

The revised rules introduce rationalised setbacks, phased fire clearances for high-rise buildings, flexible Transferable Development Rights provisions, instalment-based payment of infrastructure charges and mandatory EV charging facilities in large developments.

“The amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017, are aimed at removing avoidable procedural delays, expediting construction approvals and creating a transparent, risk-based regulatory framework that promotes investment while ensuring safety,” the minister said in a press release.

He said the amendments reflected the government’s commitment to creating a predictable environment for the housing and construction sector by simplifying building norms while retaining essential safety and planning safeguards.

Among the key changes, buildings measuring 24 metres or taller, including the stilt floor, will now be classified as high-rise buildings.

Under the revised rules, phased fire clearances will be allowed, enabling construction up to 24 metres before the final Fire No Objection Certificate is required for the upper floors.

The government has also allowed developers to pay the City-Level Infrastructure Impact Fee in six equal instalments over three years. It has also permitted the renewal of expired building permits and waived the building permit fee for non-commercial places of worship.

The amended rules make EV charging infrastructure mandatory in commercial complexes, housing societies and townships with a built-up area of at least 5,000 square metres.

Group housing projects with 100 or more units will be required to provide common amenities such as crèches, while high-rise buildings will be allowed to include environmental deck floors and service floors.

According to the government, the reforms are expected to speed up approvals, improve structural and fire safety, promote responsible investment and support sustainable urban development through technology-driven governance.

Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, S Suresh Kumar said the revised rules establish a transparent, risk-based regulatory framework, with requirements determined by the size, height and risk profile of each project.

He said this would enable authorities to focus on planning and safety instead of routine procedural checks.

Suresh Kumar added that uniform implementation of the amended rules across Urban Local Bodies and Urban Development Authorities would provide greater certainty for citizens, architects, developers and investors.

He also said digital processing, stronger professional certification and post-approval monitoring would help speed up approvals while improving accountability.