Maintain Proper Distance from the Road

According to the Kerala Panchayat Building Rules and Municipality Building Rules, buildings constructed near national highways, state highways, district roads, notified roads, or roads wider than six meters must maintain a setback of three meters from the road boundary. For other roads, a setback of two meters is required.

In the case of small pathways and footpaths less than 75 meters long, buildings up to seven meters high only need to maintain a 1.5-meter clearance. This distance is measured from the road boundary.

It is important to note that no structures, including wells, septic tanks, or other installations, can be built within this setback area. However, constructing a boundary wall is permitted.

Maintain Proper Clearance from Property Boundaries

The required setback around a house depends on its type and size. For residential buildings, the required setbacks are as follows:

Front: Three meters.

Rear: 1.5 meters.

Sides: One meter on each side.

If the building height exceeds 10 meters, an additional 50 centimeters of clearance must be added for every subsequent three meters of height.

Relief for Plots Smaller than Three Cents

For plots smaller than three cents, the required setbacks are relaxed. Such houses must maintain the following distances:

Front: 1.8 meters.

Rear: One meter.

Sides: 60 centimeters.

These relaxations apply only if the house size does not exceed 200 square meters (approximately 2152 square feet) in area and 10 meters in height.

Doors, Windows, and Ventilation: Be Cautious

The placement of doors, windows, and ventilation openings also follows specific regulations. Doors or windows cannot be placed within one meter of a neighboring property boundary. However, if there is a minimum clearance of 60 centimeters, ventilators can be installed seven feet above floor level.

For plots smaller than 125 square meters, windows can be placed as close as 60 centimeters from the property boundary.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Issues

By now, it is clear how critical setback rules and property boundary clearances are in construction. When planning a new home, it is always advisable to consult experts familiar with these regulations to design a compliant plan. Investing time upfront to create a lawful, well-designed structure will save you from major legal and financial troubles in the future.