Patna: The revised draft of the Bihar Building Bylaws 2026 has been finalised following a review by a group of ministers, with proposed changes aimed at simplifying building construction procedures and improving the ease of doing business.
The revised framework proposes time-bound approvals, greater flexibility in Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and setbacks, online processing and relief for construction on small and narrow plots. The draft will now be placed before the state cabinet for approval. Recent discussions by the Group of Ministers have focused on simplifying approval procedures and improving transparency in building regulation.
30-Day Deadline For Building Plan Approval
One of the key proposed changes is a time-bound approval mechanism for building plans.
Under the proposed system, if no decision is taken on a submitted building plan within 30 days, the plan will be deemed approved. The provision is intended to prevent applications from remaining pending for prolonged periods.
The draft also proposes greater use of digital processes to make building approvals more transparent and reduce repeated visits to government offices.
FAR Proposed At 3
The Group of Ministers has also agreed to relax provisions relating to FAR and setbacks.
The revised proposal provides for a standard FAR of 3. It also considers allowing applicants to obtain additional FAR beyond the standard limit by paying an additional fee.
Recent reporting on the proposed bylaws has also highlighted provisions for purchasing additional FAR according to prescribed conditions and fees.
Relief For Narrow Plots
The revised draft proposes relaxation of setback requirements for small and narrow plots.
According to the proposal, setback provisions could be completely waived for plots up to 10 metres in width. The measure is aimed at making building design and approval easier on plots where limited width makes it difficult to comply with conventional setback requirements.
Self-Certification For Buildings Up To 10 Metres
Another proposed change concerns the approval of building plans for structures up to 10 metres in height.
A self-certification system is proposed for this category. The provision had earlier been considered for buildings up to 24 metres in height but has now been proposed for buildings up to 10 metres.
The broader draft has also envisaged risk-based approval mechanisms, including self-certification for low-risk buildings and third-party inspection for medium-risk structures.
Online Application And Approval
Under the proposed online system, applicants will upload their building plans on a designated portal and pay the prescribed fee.
Once the required process is completed, the approval certificate can be obtained through the portal. The proposed system is intended to reduce paperwork and eliminate the need for repeated visits to government offices.
The revised bylaws are being framed with a focus on making the approval system simpler, more transparent and time-bound. The Group of Ministers has reviewed the draft with inputs aimed at reducing unnecessary regulatory requirements.
Cabinet Approval Next
The revised draft will now move to the state cabinet for consideration. If approved, the proposed provisions will pave the way for changes in Bihar’s building approval and construction regulatory framework.
The proposals form part of the state’s broader effort to simplify regulatory procedures and improve both Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living through a more streamlined building approval system.
