Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Drafts First-Ever Regulations for Rooftop Bars and Restaurants
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has drafted new regulations for rooftop bars and restaurants in the city, marking the first instance of formal guidelines for such establishments. This move follows the issuance of closure notices to 33 rooftop restaurants and bars that were found operating without proper authorization.
The newly proposed regulations, titled Regulation for Rooftop Restaurants, Bars and Eating Joints in Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi, have been published on the RMC website, and stakeholders, including business owners and the general public, have been invited to provide suggestions or grievances before March 27.
The draft specifies that rooftop restaurants and bars will be allowed only in designated land-use zones as per the Jharkhand Building Byelaws-2016. Safety and structural integrity form the core focus of these regulations. Establishments will be permitted to construct only temporary structures on rooftops, and all structural elements, including interiors, must be made using fire-proof materials.
Restaurant owners must obtain a structural safety certificate from certified engineers, ensuring the use of non-combustible materials and assessing the building’s additional load-bearing capacity. The certificate must be renewed annually to ensure continued compliance with safety norms.
Cooking and food preparation on rooftops will be strictly prohibited under these regulations. The use of inflammable materials in rooftop spaces is also banned, and cooking using LPG stoves, coal, or open flames must be restricted to lower floors. However, the storage of liquor will be allowed, subject to obtaining necessary permissions from the excise department.
To ensure safety and compliance, the rooftop area designated for restaurant use must strictly follow the sanctioned building plan, and no extensions or projections beyond the rooftop boundaries will be permitted. Additionally, restaurant owners may be required to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airport Authority of India, depending on the location of their establishment.
Effective waste management and noise control measures are also emphasized in the proposed regulations. Separate dustbins for dry and wet waste must be maintained, and proper disposal mechanisms for solid waste must be followed. To minimize disturbances to residents on lower floors and nearby buildings, loud music on terraces will be prohibited. Sound insulation measures must be implemented to reduce noise pollution and ensure a more controlled acoustic environment. These measures aim to maintain a balance between commercial activities and the well-being of surrounding residential areas.
According to RMC Additional Administrator Sanjay Kumar, these regulations represent a crucial step in streamlining the operation of rooftop restaurants, bars, and eating joints while ensuring public safety and urban planning compliance. He further stated that RMC will grant a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to restaurant owners only if they meet all specified compliance requirements. This regulatory framework is expected to enhance safety, streamline operations, and provide much-needed clarity for both business owners and enforcement agencies operating in Ranchi’s hospitality sector.
The new regulations have received mixed reactions from business owners and the public. While some restaurant owners appreciate the structured framework that offers legitimacy to their businesses, others express concerns over the financial and logistical challenges of meeting the compliance requirements. Industry stakeholders argue that while safety is essential, the implementation process should be designed to minimize disruption to existing businesses.
Public feedback will play a significant role in shaping the final version of these regulations, and RMC has encouraged all stakeholders to submit their opinions before the deadline.