6.6. Minimum Plot Size and Building Frontage

Different types of residential Building, plot size and their frontages

Types of Residential

Note: Minimum frontage on any street 6m, for row housing it may be 5.5m

This chunk outlines the different types of residential buildings based on their plot size and required frontage. Each building type is categorized with specific dimensions for the plot size in square meters and the minimum width of the front-facing area (frontage) that faces the street. Detached buildings require larger plots and frontages compared to semi-detached and row-type buildings, which are suitable for denser housing configurations.

Think of a neighborhood where large single-family homes (detached buildings) need more space between them and the street compared to townhomes (row-type buildings). This helps provide a spacious appearance for larger homes while allowing row houses to fit more units in a smaller area.

Minimum Front open space to be provided

This chunk presents regulations for the minimum open space in front of a building based on the width of the street. It indicates that narrower streets require less front open space, and as street width increases, so does the necessary open space. This regulation ensures that buildings are set back appropriately from the street, allowing for light, air, and aesthetic spacing between the road and the structure.

Imagine a wide avenue with several tall buildings set back far from the sidewalk. This space allows for landscaping and trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Conversely, in narrower streets, homes are closer to the road, which is why less space is mandated in front of those buildings.

Permissible Plinth Area (Covered area) in Residential Plots

In this chunk, we discuss the allowed maximum coverage area, or plinth area, of buildings on residential plots. The percentage of the total plot that can be built upon decreases as the size of the plot increases. Smaller plots can have a larger proportion of their area covered, while larger plots are restricted to a smaller coverage to preserve open spaces and manage density.

Consider a small house on a small lot where nearly all of it can be built upon. In contrast, a large estate might require a substantial garden or yard space, so builders have less percentage of coverage allowable. This helps maintain the character and feel of neighborhoods.

Minimum Rear open space to be provided (up to 10m height): Average width = 3m but not less than 1.8m

Minimum side open space to be provided (up to 10m height)

• Detached building: 3m on both sides
• Semidetached building: 3m on one side only

This segment outlines the requirements for open spaces around residential buildings. For rear and side spaces, specific minimum widths are defined to ensure accessibility, light, and ventilation. Detached buildings need more open space around them compared to semi-detached buildings, which are designed to share walls and thus require less side space.

Think of two different homes: a standalone cottage that needs open land around it for light and air, and a duplex that is attached to another house. The duplex can afford to have less space on one side since it shares a wall, whereas the cottage needs room on all sides to feel open and welcoming.

Floor Area Ratio:

• Floor area ratio (FAR) = Total covered area of all floors / plot area
• FAR : 1 to 2 depending on type of construction
• Maximum building height = (1.5 x width of abutting road) + front open space

This final chunk discusses the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), a critical factor in urban planning that dictates how much area can be built upon relative to the size of the plot. A FAR of 1 means that the total building area is equal to the plot area, while a FAR of 2 means you can build twice the plot area, including multiple floors. This ratio helps control building density and is influenced by the width of the adjacent road.

Imagine an empty lot. If the building code allows a FAR of 1, you can build one floor that takes up the entire lot. But if you have a FAR of 2, you could build two stories on the same footprint. This is similar to stacking books: one book per shelf (FAR 1) or two books on each shelf (FAR 2). The roadway width determines how high your bookshelves can go.

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