UDCPR_Rule_3_6_Building_Height_Limitations.txt

Under Maharashtra’s Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), building height is one of the most critical design and approval factors. It affects fire safety, air traffic, city aesthetics, infrastructure load, and urban harmony.

UDCPR Rule 3.6 specifically governs the maximum permissible height of buildings, and this rule must be strictly followed during the planning stage of any residential, commercial, or mixed-use project.

Let’s explore what Rule 3.6 includes and how to apply it effectively in your development planning.

📏 What Does Rule 3.6 Say About Building Height?
Rule 3.6 provides that the maximum height of a building shall be governed by:

• Width of the abutting road

• Area and size of the plot

• Available FSI (including premium/TDR)

• Fire safety norms

• Airport Authority restrictions (where applicable)

• Structural safety as per IS codes

Height is not just a vertical measurement—it has multiple regulatory dimensions.

🛣️ 1. Relation Between Road Width and Building Height
Generally, wider roads allow taller buildings. Here’s a simplified example under normal conditions:

• 9 m road: Max height ~16 m (G+4 floors)

• 12 m road: Max height ~24 m (G+6 floors)

• 18 m road or more: Max height ~36+ m (G+9 floors or more)

This is to ensure accessibility for fire and emergency vehicles.

✈️ 2. Obstacle Limitation and Airport Zones
If your plot lies within 20 km of an airport, you must get height clearance from the Airport Authority of India (AAI). This often overrides normal FSI rights and can restrict construction even if road and plot conditions permit more.

🏗️ 3. Fire NOC for High-Rise Buildings
If your building exceeds certain height thresholds (e.g., 15 m or more), you will need a Fire NOC, and your design must include:

• Fire exits/staircases

• Fire lifts

• Sprinklers and water tanks

• Access roads of minimum width

Without these, your plan will not be sanctioned.

📐 4. Structural Safety and Wind Loads
Tall buildings face higher wind and seismic loads. UDCPR mandates that buildings exceeding certain heights be structurally certified by a qualified structural engineer, following IS 875, IS 1893, and IS 456 codes.

🧾 5. Calculating Height under UDCPR
The height of the building is measured from:

• Ground level to the topmost slab of the building (excluding water tanks, lift machine rooms, solar panels, etc. unless specifically mentioned).

Also note:

• Basement is excluded from height if below ground level.

• Stilts used for parking are included in the number of floors but not always in the height depending on state rules.

🔍 Key Considerations from Rule 3.6

• FSI may permit more area, but height rules may limit number of floors.

• Always calculate height and total built-up area separately.

• Get fire and airport NOC early if you’re planning G+5 or higher.

🛠️ Common Mistakes Developers Make

• Assuming higher FSI means automatic permission for high-rise buildings.

• Ignoring fire norms for medium-rise buildings.

• Not checking airport proximity restrictions.

• Designing basements improperly, causing height violations.

📣 Final Thoughts
Building height regulations are not meant to limit development—they’re meant to ensure safety, infrastructure balance, and urban discipline. UDCPR Rule 3.6 gives clear guidelines that, when followed correctly, allow smooth approval and execution of projects without last-minute redesigns or legal issues.

Before you plan vertically, make sure you're building legally.

✍️ Author: Engineer Aamir Momin