Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) rules govern the construction of residential buildings in the city. Below is a comprehensive guide covering essential aspects like ground coverage, floor area ratio (FAR), setbacks, height exemptions, and other general building requirements.
FAR Exclusions: Certain elements are excluded from FAR and ground coverage calculations, including:
- Lift machine rooms
- Open shafts and fire staircases
- Mumty over staircases (max 3m height)
- Pergolas (up to 20% of ground coverage)
- Basement areas (if used for parking or storage)
Ground Coverage Exclusions
Projections like balconies, canopies, porches, and voids, as well as cladding up to 150mm. In simpler terms, it is the area on the ground that the building physically covers.
FAR & Ground Coverage Table (MPD 2021):
| Plot Area (sqm) | Max Ground Coverage (%) | FAR | Dwelling Units (DUs) |
| Upto 50 | 90 | 350 | 3 |
| 50 to 100 | 90 | 350 | 4 |
| 100 to 250 | 75 | 300 | 4 |
| 250 to 750 | 75 | 225 | 6 |
| Above 750 | 50 | 200 | 9-21 |
Setbacks:
| Plot Size (sqm) | Front (m) | Rear (m) | Side 1 (m) | Side 2 (m) |
| Below 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 to 250 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 250 to 500 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Above 500 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Setbacks can be adjusted if the permissible coverage is not met.
Building Height
Maximum permissible building height is 17.5 meters for individual residential plots.
Definition: Building height is measured from the highest ground or road level adjacent to the building, up to the top of the structural slab for flat roofs.
Exemptions from Height Calculations:
- Roof tanks (up to 1.8m)
- Mumty (up to 3.0m)
- Solar panels
- Lift machine rooms
General Building Requirements
Main Building: The building’s plinth should ensure adequate drainage, regardless of the entry point’s location.
Interior Courtyards and Parking Garages: These must be satisfactorily drained either via gravity or mechanical systems. The minimum wall thickness should be 230mm.
Balcony Regulations:
- Maximum balcony width of 1.5m (free from FAR).
- Wrap-around balconies permitted, provided they don’t exceed 40% of the open area.
Canopies: Canopy depth varies based on setback, with a maximum of 3m for larger setbacks.
Parapet Walls: A parapet wall is a low wall built along the edge of a roof or floor. Maximum permissible height for parapet walls in low-rise buildings is 1.5m and 1.8m for high-rise buildings.
Boundary Walls:-
Front Wall: Maximum height is 1.5m (solid), with additional height up to 1.5m allowed for perforated structures.
Side & Back Walls: Maximum height is 2.4m from ground level.
Basement Minimum Dimensions:-
- Height: 2.4m from the beam bottom.
- Width: 2.4m
Ventilation and drainage are required to prevent water ingress into the basement.
Stilt Parking: A stilt refers to the non-habitable portion of a building raised on columns above ground level, typically used for parking. Minimum height: 2.4m. Maximum height: 2.7m
Lift Provisions: Lifts are discretionary for buildings below 15m in height but must be provided in taller structures, including access to basements and rooftops.
Staircases: Staircases should be constructed with non-combustible materials, and winders are permitted for low-rise residential buildings. The minimum tread width is 25cm, and the maximum height for risers is 19cm.
Lighting and Ventilation: All habitable rooms must have adequate natural light and ventilation, either through external windows or internal courtyards (minimum dimensions: 3m x 3m).
Ventilation Shafts: Water closets and bathrooms must be ventilated through ventilation shafts, with a minimum size of 1.5 sqm for buildings up to 9m and 3 sqm for taller buildings