BuildNow Category Wizard — Telangana
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BuildNow / TG-bPASS Category Reference Table
| Category | Plot Size | Height / Floors | Building Type | Approval Type | Timeline | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Only | Up to 75 sq. yards (~63 sqm) |
Up to ~7m (G or G+1) |
Residential only | No permission needed | Instant | Rs. 1 token |
| Instant Approval | 75 sq. yards to 500 sqm (~600 sq. yards) |
Up to 10m (G to G+2) |
Individual Residential | Online self-certification | Instant | Per sanctioned area |
| Single Window | Above 500 sqm | Above 10m | All types (Residential & Non-Residential) | Common Application Form + NOCs | 21 days (deemed if delayed) | Per sanctioned area + NOC fees |
| Fire NOC Required | Any (500 sqm+ for public buildings) | ≥ 18m (residential) ≥ 15m (public) |
All high-rise & public buildings | Additional to Single Window | Part of 21-day window | Additional fee |
BuildNow / TG-bPASS Building Permission Categories in Telangana — Complete Guide
What is BuildNow (TG-bPASS)?
BuildNow is the unified online building and layout approval system of the Government of Telangana, replacing the earlier TG-bPASS (Telangana State Building Permission Approval and Self Certification System). Launched under the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, it is the single portal for all building permissions across GHMC, HMDA, DTCP, and all 142 municipalities and 13 municipal corporations in Telangana. All building and layout permissions in Telangana must be processed exclusively through BuildNow.
Category 1: Registration Only (Smallest Buildings)
For residential buildings on plots up to 75 square yards (approximately 63 square meters) with construction limited to ground floor or ground + 1 floor, no formal building permission is required. The owner simply registers on the BuildNow portal with a token fee of Rs. 1. No occupancy certificate is needed either. However, the building must still comply with setback rules, height limits, and other building regulations. This category covers the majority of small residential plots in villages, gram panchayats, and smaller municipalities across Telangana.
Category 2: Instant Approval (Self-Certification)
Individual residential buildings on plots from 75 square yards up to 500 square meters (~600 square yards) with building height up to 10 meters qualify for instant online approval through self-certification. The entire process is digital — upload documents, self-certify compliance, and receive instant permission. No physical inspection, site visit, or NOC from other departments is required at the permission stage. This covers most individual houses, villas, and independent floors in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and other urban areas of Telangana.
Category 3: Single Window Approval
All buildings on plots above 500 square meters, with height above 10 meters, or any non-residential building (commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed-use) must go through the Single Window approval process. A Common Application Form is submitted, and multiple NOCs (Fire, Environmental, Airport, etc.) are obtained through a single window. The approval must be granted within 21 days, failing which deemed approval is automatically granted. BuildNow can scrutinize buildings with three towers, each over 40 floors, within two minutes using AI-powered plan verification.
Fire NOC Requirements
Fire NOC from the Director General, State Disaster and Fire Services Department is mandatory for: residential buildings with height 18 meters or more, and public congregation buildings (educational, cinema, function halls, assembly) on plots of 500 sqm or more or with height 15 meters or more. The Fire NOC is obtained as part of the Single Window process and does not require a separate application.
Occupancy Certificate (OC) Rules
Individual residential buildings on plots up to 200 sqm with height up to 7 meters are exempted from requiring an Occupancy Certificate. For plots from 200 sqm to 500 sqm with height up to 10 meters, OC is obtained through online self-certification. All larger buildings and non-residential structures require formal OC inspection. BuildNow issues OCs for non-high-rise buildings in 10 days.
Key Documents Required
The common documents required across all categories include: registered sale deed or equivalent title document, Aadhaar card, site plan with survey number, building plan (drawn by a licensed architect for Instant and Single Window categories), structural engineer certificate (for multi-storey buildings), and LRS/BPS certificate if the layout is regularized. Additional documents for Single Window include environmental clearance (for plots above 20,000 sqm), airport NOC (if within funnel zone), and traffic impact assessment (for large commercial projects).
Frequently Asked Questions
BuildNow (formerly TG-bPASS / TS-bPASS) is the Telangana State Building Permission Approval and Self Certification System — the unified online portal for all building and layout approvals across GHMC, HMDA, DTCP, and all municipalities in Telangana. It was introduced under the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, replacing the earlier DPMS system. All building permissions in the state must now be processed exclusively through BuildNow at buildnow.telangana.gov.in.
No formal building permission is needed for residential buildings on plots up to 75 square yards (~63 sqm) if construction is limited to ground floor or G+1. You simply register on the BuildNow portal with a token fee of Rs. 1. However, you must still follow setback rules, building regulations, and height limits applicable to your area. No occupancy certificate is required either.
Instant Approval applies to individual residential buildings on plots from 75 sq yards to 500 sqm with height up to 10 meters. Permission is granted instantly through online self-certification — no physical inspection, site visit, or NOC from other departments is needed. Upload your documents, self-certify compliance, and receive permission immediately.
Single Window approval is required for: (1) plots above 500 sqm, (2) buildings with height above 10 meters, or (3) any non-residential building regardless of size. A Common Application Form is submitted and multiple NOCs are obtained through a single window. Approval must be granted within 21 days — if delayed, deemed approval is automatically granted.
If the authorities do not process a Single Window application within 21 days of submission, the building permission is deemed to have been granted automatically. This statutory provision under the Telangana Municipalities Act ensures timely processing and prevents indefinite bureaucratic delays. The deemed approval carries the same legal validity as a regular approval.
Fire NOC is required for residential buildings with height of 18 meters or more (approximately G+5 and above). For public congregation buildings (schools, hospitals, cinema halls, function halls, malls), Fire NOC is required at height of 15 meters or more, or on plots of 500 sqm or more. Small residential buildings below these thresholds do not need Fire NOC. The NOC is obtained as part of the Single Window process.
Individual residential buildings on plots up to 200 sqm (~240 sq yards) with height up to 7 meters are exempted from OC. For plots from 200 sqm to 500 sqm with height up to 10 meters, OC is obtained through online self-certification on BuildNow. All larger buildings and non-residential structures require formal OC inspection. OCs for non-high-rise buildings are now processed in 10 days through BuildNow.
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