Bihar Approves New Building Bylaws With 30-Day Map Approval

The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Bihar Building Bylaws, 2026, replacing the building regulations introduced in 2014 and allowing building maps to receive deemed approval if the concerned urban local body does not process them within 30 days.

The revised regulations, proposed by the Urban Development and Housing Department, introduce risk-based classification of residential and commercial buildings, provisions governing floor area ratio (FAR) and a negative list specifying restrictions on builders.

Cabinet Secretariat Department Additional Chief Secretary Arwind Kumar Choudhary said the new framework includes changes to building approval procedures and construction-related requirements.

Buildings classified into three risk categories

Under the revised bylaws, buildings will be classified according to their height and associated risk levels:

• Low risk: Buildings up to 10 metres.
• Medium risk: Buildings between 10 metres and 24 metres.
• High risk: Buildings exceeding 24 metres.

The regulations also permit an approach road width of up to 3.7 metres. A setback on only one side will be allowed to provide emergency vehicles access to buildings from the rear.

Parking requirements will be calculated at 15 square metres per vehicle.

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Green buildings eligible for additional FAR

The new regulations provide additional development potential for buildings with green certification.

Buildings receiving three-star certification will qualify for an additional FAR of 5%, while four-star and five-star certified buildings will be eligible for additional FAR of 10% and 15%, respectively.

Fire safety requirements have also been incorporated into the building permit approval process.

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Map approvals and existing building provisions

Building map approvals can be revalidated for a period of five years, with automatic revalidation available upon payment of the prescribed fee.

The bylaws also allow owners of existing buildings to obtain building permits by submitting the required maps and paying the applicable fee.

The new provisions are intended to streamline building approvals and introduce a risk-based regulatory framework for construction activities across Bihar.

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