Draft Bye-law Amendment Proposes 15% Deviation Relief for Bengaluru Buildings

Bengaluru:

In a significant move aimed at easing regulatory hurdles for property owners, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the city’s building bye-laws, including a major relaxation in permissible construction deviations.

Announcing the development, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao said the public can submit objections and suggestions within 30 days at the offices of the five newly formed city corporations.

The proposal, brought under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D. K. Shivakumar, seeks to increase the allowable deviation in building construction from the existing 5% to 15%.

The amendment to Clause 6 of the Building Bye-laws, 2003, aims to address long-standing challenges faced by property owners across the city.

Officials said the decision was prompted by widespread instances of buildings deviating beyond the current 5% limit due to high land costs and site constraints.

Such deviations have rendered many properties ineligible for Occupancy Certificates (OCs), thereby affecting access to essential services such as water and electricity.

“With deviations often exceeding 5% in practical scenarios, many building owners have been left in limbo. The proposed increase to 15% will allow regularisation upon payment of a penalty, offering much-needed relief,” the release stated.

The draft notifications were issued on April 1, 2026, by all five city corporations under the GBA jurisdiction—North, South, East, West, and Central. Authorities emphasised that while the move is citizen-friendly, stricter enforcement measures are also being planned for violations beyond the revised threshold.

The government has urged residents and stakeholders to review the draft and submit feedback by April 30, 2026. Suggestions and objections can be filed with the respective City Corporation Commissioners.

The draft bye-laws are available on the GBA website, and officials said all inputs will be considered before final notification.

Urban planning experts note that while the relaxation could unlock thousands of stalled properties, concerns around ventilation, safety, and infrastructure strain will need careful consideration before the amendment is finalised.