Homeowners planning new houses in Tamil Nadu can now allocate less space for parking, following amendments to the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. The state government’s notification issued on October 10 reduces the mandatory parking requirement for large residential buildings.
Under the new rules, houses built on plots measuring 3,200 sq ft (300 sqm) or more must provide parking for at least four cars and four two-wheelers. This provision applies to all approvals for residential buildings in corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats. For houses on smaller plots, the existing requirement of two car slots and two two-wheeler slots continues, according to the order issued by State Housing Secretary Karkala Usha.
As per Times of India, S. Ramprabhu from the Builders Association of India said the amendment effectively increases the usable Floor Space Index (FSI)—the total floor area that can be constructed relative to the plot size. Parking, staircases, and service areas are classified as non-FSI spaces, meaning they do not count toward the permissible built-up area.
“Under the previous 2019 rule, one car parking slot was required for every 75 sqm of built-up area. A 5,000 sq ft house, for example, needed at least five car slots. Builders often found this restrictive as space required for car movement reduced living areas. The new rule allows flexibility to use some of that space for additional rooms or other residential features,” Ramprabhu explained.
However, urban planners caution that the amendment may exacerbate on-street parking problems. R. Naveen, a city planner, said, “Many homeowners already park spare or older vehicles on public roads. Reducing mandatory parking within plots could increase street congestion, making it harder for other motorists to navigate.”
The amendment is expected to influence residential construction projects across Tamil Nadu, particularly in metropolitan areas where plot sizes are larger and land scarcity is a concern. Builders and developers are likely to welcome the change, but careful urban planning will remain essential to prevent overcrowding and traffic issues.
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